Alina’s All Girls Expedition Reflections

So when I heard that one of my first work experiences with Project Exploration was to be a STEM Facilitator for All Girls Expedition a weekend camping trip at Glenhagen Farms in Princeton, IL, I was nervous yet excited. Nervous and excited to be getting away from the urban grind for a few days. Nervous and eager to experience time away from concrete and steel with my PE colleagues and 33 middle school girls.

Time to be in the moment

Time away in nature to laugh, play, and bond with each other was priceless. Time away to create memories such as a night hike with only the light coming from lighting in the distance guiding us along the way was priceless.

Lessons Learned 

I learned from this trip that it is all about perspective and that we have tremendous power to create the moments we want. This experience could have easily been a glass half empty due to the inclement weather. However, together and with the amount of rain splashed on our tents, it was more than a glass half full (…of rainwater). I certainly filled up on laughter and bonding moments with the girls and my  PE colleagues.

This expedition was a great solution to bringing about experiential STEM learning experiences for all of us.