This page contains information regarding my many non-digital projects as well as my recent internship at the National Museum of the Pacific War. My most recent project is my completed capstone project: The Women in the San Antonio Fire Service Oral History and Exhibit Design Project. Additionally, in summer 2023, I interned in the education department of the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.
The Women in the San Antonio Fire Service Oral History and Exhibit Design Project (February 2021-March 2023)
The Women in the San Antonio Fire Service Oral History and Exhibit Design Project lasted from 2021-2023. Throughout the course of this project, I conducted nine oral histories with current and former women members of the San Antonio Fire Service from the 1970s-2020s. Then, these nine interviews were used to develop a detailed exhibit outline, outlining the different themes and sections featured in a hypothetical exhibit. Together, the nine oral history interviews and outline provide crucial insight into women’s experiences as fire service personnel in the San Antonio Fire Service. Touching on issues such as access to properly fitting uniforms and gear, male attitudes towards them, access to appropriate facilities, and how women navigated a male dominated profession, this project contributes significantly to our understanding of both the history of our local fire service and how that history compares with other fire services across the United States. A complete copy of my capstone rationale can be downloaded below.
National Museum of the Pacific War Internship
My internship at the National Museum of the Pacific War (NMPW) gave me many opportunities to assist in museum programming. During the summer I helped host our summer stem events for children every Saturday, ensuring that young museum goers could enjoy fun activities such as making parachutes, musical instruments as well as creating paper airplanes or their own artwork. I also was privileged to assist NMPW with their Summer 2023 Teacher’s Institute which offered teachers the chance to deepen their knowledge of the Pacific War and to discuss how best to integrate it into their instruction. During the institute, I helped to prepare snacks during the morning and afternoon, and I helped conference presenters when necessary by passing out instructional materials and setting up lighting for presentations. Finally, I also took part in NMPW’s campaign briefings at the Pacific Combat Zone (PCZ) where I dressed in period accurate costume as a member of Company K to reenact select Pacific War battles for audience members.
Additionally, I also had many opportunities to conduct research to produce blog posts and lesson plans for the NMPW. While working on my two blog posts, I was able to conduct research on important naval battles of the Pacific War such as the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Coral Sea. Thanks to this research, I was able to further my knowledge of both the naval history and naval strategy of the Pacific War. In addition, I produced a lesson plan, aligned with the TEKS, for the education department. My lesson plan, designed for 10th and 11th graders, will take students through the major battles of the Pacific War, from Pearl Harbor to the beaches of Okinawa, during their units on World War II. It comes complete with a handout and six unique items related to the Pacific War.
Finally, my internship at NMPW allowed me to come out of my shell as both a person and professional. Through my internship, I was able to work in a fun, collaborative, and supportive environment in which I felt safe and valued. I met some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever worked with in my fellow interns and my supervisors-people I’m happy to call my friends and colleagues. I also partook in museum programming, such as the campaign briefings, that pushed me well out of my comfort zone. Overall, I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to work at such a wonderful institution filled with wonderful people. I will never forget the wonderful time I had this summer, and I hope to showcase my work from NMPW on this site soon! In the meantime, please enjoy these select photos from my internship experience!
