Summer fellowship connects future educators with hands-on learning

This summer, Towson University students in the College of Education are gaining hands-on experience through a new fellowship program with Port Discovery Children's Museum, providing future educators with opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom while supporting children's learning in one of Baltimore's most engaging educational environments.

Developed through a partnership between the College of Education and Port Discovery, the Summer Fellow Program offers first- and second-year students studying early childhood education, elementary education and related fields the opportunity to spend 10 weeks immersed in an informal learning environment centered on play, discovery and child development.

The paid fellowship includes two weeks of professional training followed by eight weeks of hands-on experience working alongside museum staff and visitors. Fellows earn an hourly rate and work 40 hours per week, building skills that will serve them throughout their future careers in education.

This fellowship allows them to see learning from a different perspective while developing the skills and confidence needed to become effective educators.

Laurie Mullen, dean of the College of Education

"Students benefit tremendously from opportunities to connect theory to practice early in their academic journey," says Laurie Mullen, dean of the College of Education. "This fellowship allows them to see learning from a different perspective while developing the skills and confidence needed to become effective educators."

During the training portion of the fellowship, students are introduced to Port Discovery's playful learning framework and museum education approaches while shadowing members of the Learning and Visitor Experience Team. Once training is complete, fellows become integrated into the museum's daily operations, supporting programs and facilitating informal learning experiences for children and families.

The program's flexibility allows fellows to tailor their experience based on their interests. For TU students Chelsey McKee ’28 and Kennedi Harris ‘28, the fellowship has provided an opportunity to connect their classroom learning with real-world educational experiences while discovering just how many ways educators can make an impact outside a traditional classroom.

Chelsey McKee ’28

McKee, an early childhood education major who is exploring a transition into art education, was drawn to the fellowship because of her own childhood experiences visiting Port Discovery.

"I was a Port Discovery kid when I was younger, and I was always drawn to the Art Cove," McKee says. "Seeing the opportunity to do an internship here was a no-brainer for me. Port Discovery not only lets children play on a whole new level, but it also helps them learn different skills that they enjoy."

Throughout the summer, McKee has been developing a monoprinting project that encourages children and caregivers to use every-day textured household materials to create unique works of art. The activity is designed to help children expand their creativity while building confidence through exploration and imaginative play.

"I've loved helping children expand their creativity and think about using materials in ways they might not have considered before," McKee says. "One of my favorite moments is when a child creates something and decides to give it to me. Seeing how proud they are of what they've made is incredibly rewarding."

Kennedi Harris ‘28

For Harris, the fellowship has been just as much about the research as the experience. Her capstone project explores diversity, equity and inclusion at Port Discovery through staff surveys and conversations with employees, helping the museum administration better understand how staff members experience and foster an inclusive environment.

“[After graduation], I’m going to bring what I learn into the classroom,” says Harris. “I’m gaining so much experience here in terms of interacting with young learners and their families. Port Discovery is really good at the idea of playful learning, and I want to be sure to incorporate fun play for my future students. [Here] we're contributing, learning and getting real experience every day. This is so much fun!” 

The partnership helps cultivate the next generation of educators by exposing students to a range of career pathways within education, including museum education, program development and family engagement, while they are still early in their academic journey.

“This new partnership with Towson University represents a key strategy for our museum’s commitment to supporting a pipeline of highly qualified early childhood educators in Maryland,” says Rachel Demma, Port Discovery’s vice president of evaluation and impact.

Top left: TU interns engage with young learner in the Dockside Diner; Top right: Harris has some fun int he spinning chair; Bottom left: McKee and Harris on the S.S. Friendship; Bottom right: McKee moves cargo blocks at the Port

About Towson University

Towson University repeatedly ranks as the #1 public university in Maryland, serving as the state’s university of opportunities. With more than 160 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized comprehensive public research university, known as a leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, scholarship and the creative arts. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business, science, education, fine arts, health professions, humanities, social sciences and applied professional fields. Located in Towson, Maryland, amid one of the country’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a powerful engine of opportunity and catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change for the public good. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty, staff and over 200,000 alumni worldwide.

About Port Discovery Children’s Museum

As the premier children’s museum in the mid-Atlantic, Port Discovery Children’s Museum educates children and inspires lifelong curiosity. The Museum’s play-to-learn philosophy opens the door for children to discover and explore the world around them, leading to smarter, healthier, and more engaged lives. Port Discovery is ranked among the Top Children’s Museums in the United States and offers three floors of educational, interactive exhibits and programs. To learn more, visit www.PortDiscovery.org