I’ve always taken pride in how curious of a person I am. Sitting here while writing, I have time to reflect on why that is and who I have to thank. Growing up in Colorado, the Rocky Mountains quickly became a core part of who I am. My parents started taking me there when I was less than a year old, and they are who I endlessly thank for starting me on my curiosity journey. While we explored and hiked in the park, I had no shortage of questions. I wanted to learn about every leaf I saw, noise I heard, and rock I touched. I have taken that curiosity with me throughout my life and became passionate about getting others excited about the world.
I’m not sure when it was, but around the end of elementary school and the beginning of middle school, I thought I had my career figured out: a kindergarten teacher. I thought it would be so cool to show children the amazingness of the Earth and try to get them excited about the little things. Not long after this epiphany, I fell in love with the study of weather. As a logical pathway to my curiosity, I wanted to learn everything I could about meteorology. I was obsessed with watching the clouds and thunderstorms and playing out in the wind.
Joining AmeriCorps this year at the Mount Washington Observatory has given me that option to get kids excited about the weather and world around us. From the very beginning of the year, I have been going to schools and teaching kids about the insane weather Mount Washington receives as well as general weather concepts. The first time I sat down with a class and read them a book about Snowflake Bentley and snowflakes, I knew my younger self was proud of me.
I teach all ages at the Mount Washington Observatory. We are focused on studying the Earth’s weather and climate, and my role is to educate the public and get them excited about science and meteorology. When I see kids become curious about what I’m teaching, I can’t stop the big smile that spreads across my face. I know I was once in their position, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I am now the one sparking their curiosity. And don’t be fooled, I of course am still curious. Over the past five months I have learned so much more about weather and climate as I develop school programs.
After each visit to a school, the drive back has me grinning. I think of how excited the kids were to learn. I think of my impact on the next generation of what I hope to be passionate environmentalists. I think of how they will explore the White Mountains of New Hampshire and see a leaf or rock they become overjoyed by. But most importantly, I think of my parents. I think of how they inspired my love of learning and how I am passing that love on.
"My first time reading to younger kids. My younger me is freaking out with joy."
Alyssa is serving with AmeriCorps at the Mount Washington Observatory as a STEM Educator. She graduated from Colorado State University in December 2020 with a B.S. In Natural Sciences. Before coming to the LRCC, they were a summit intern at the Observatory which ignited a passion to continue their mission of studying the Earth's weather and climate. Learn more about them here.