When you visit Port Discovery Children’s Museum this summer, you might notice not just the exhibits, activities and joyful sounds of children at play. Behind the scenes and throughout the museum, a talented group of summer interns is helping create new experiences, explore the impact of play and learning, support our visitors and community, and bring fresh ideas to the museum.
This summer, Port Discovery welcomes interns from schools and organizations across Baltimore and beyond. Their work spans everything from designing hands-on activities and exploring the science of play to supporting marketing efforts, researching visitor experiences, and developing new ways for children and families to learn through play.
While each intern has a different role or a reason why they first came here, they all share something in common: they are helping make Port Discovery a place where children can be curious, creative, active and inspired.
Meet the young people making an impact at Port Discovery this summer.
Eoin Gamber: A Pillow Full of Possibilities
Sensory pillow for SKIES
Eoin Gamber, from Bloomberg Arts, is exploring the power of sensory play through a project inspired by one of our new exhibits, SKIES. As part of his capstone project, Eoin is sewing a sensory pillow filled with different textures and elements for children to touch, explore and interact with. His project is helping imagine new ways for children to engage their senses through hands-on play, creating opportunities for discovery that can be both calming and engaging.
David Rucker: Get Up, Get Moving!
Physical movement activities and signage for Kick It Up
David Rucker, from Bloomberg Arts, is helping get children moving and thinking creatively about physical play. His project focuses on developing signage for physical and gross motor activities and sports in our Kick It Up exhibit, giving children and families new ideas for active play throughout the museum. By creating easy-to-follow prompts, David is helping turn movement into an invitation for children to jump in, try something new and have fun.
Sean Jackson: Passport to Discovery
Researching marketing passport program metrics and rollout
Sean Jackson, from Maryland Public Service Scholars, is taking a closer look at Discovery Quest, a passport program connecting children and families with museums and cultural institutions across the Baltimore region. Working alongside Sonja Cendak, Port Discovery’s VP of Advancement, Sean is studying the program’s metrics and rollout to better understand how families are engaging with the experience. His work is helping Port Discovery learn more about how programs like Discovery Quest can encourage families to explore, discover and connect with cultural experiences throughout their community.
Chelsey McKee: Collaborative Curiosity: A Texture Exploration
Texture art project in The Art Cove
What happens when you take away the paintbrush? Chelsey McKee, from Towson University, is inviting children to find out through a creative Texture Art Project in The Art Cove. Using unconventional materials instead of traditional paintbrushes, Chelsey is helping children experiment with textures, shapes and prints while discovering that there is no single right way to make art. Her project encourages creativity, curiosity and the freedom to explore through hands-on experiences. 
Kennedi Harris: Helping Build a More Inclusive Port Discovery
Exploring diversity, equity and inclusion through staff and guest demographics
Kennedi Harris, from Towson University, is helping Port Discovery take a closer look at diversity, equity and inclusion within our museum community. Working alongside Rachel Demma, Port Discovery’s Vice President of Evaluation & Impact, Kennedi is analyzing staff and guest demographics and developing a survey to gather additional insights about our community. Her work is helping Port Discovery better understand who we serve and identify opportunities to create an even more welcoming and inclusive experience where every child and family can feel a sense of belonging.
Marshall Kelly: Character Critters
Character-driven magnetic dress-up activity and exhibit graphic design
Marshall Kelly, from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), is bringing creativity and character to the museum through pop-up experiences and graphic design. Taking guidance from our Director of Arts & Character Integration, Emily Conner, Marshall created a character-driven magnetic dress-up activity that invites children to mix, match and use their imaginations to create their own looks.
“My Port Discovery journey has been such a well rounded fun experience. Being able to inspire children and families while doing what I love has been so rewarding. Along with learning about design from a museum and exhibit perspective I feel Port Discovery has given me so much real world experience that I will definitely bring back with me to my studies.”
Marshall has also designed exhibit materials, including menus for Tiny’s Diner, showing how thoughtful design can help bring a playful environment to life.
Arianna Surrow: The Science of Play
Research on educational impact and health activities
Arianna Surrow, from Johns Hopkins University, is exploring the connections between play, education and health. Working with the Johns Hopkins research team, Arianna is helping survey metrics related to LEGO-based learning while also developing a pop-up experience focused on bones and anatomy. Her work brings together research and hands-on learning, helping children explore their bodies and health in ways that are interactive, approachable and fun.
Garrison Morrill: Taking the Leap
Exploring risk-taking on the SkyClimber and creating marketing content
Garrison Morrill, recent graduate from Vanderbilt University, is helping Port Discovery tell the story of play from behind the scenes. Working with the Marketing team, Garrison is exploring how children take risks, build confidence and challenge themselves on the SkyClimber, while capturing photos and video for the museum’s social media channels and website content.
“In my first few days interning at Port Discovery, I noticed something that quickly became one of my favorite parts of the museum: the pure joy on children’s faces after trying the Giant Slide for the first time. Even if they were nervous at the top, many reached the bottom jumping, cheering, dancing, and then immediately racing back for another turn. That joy and energy is spread throughout the museum from the children that we serve, the staff, to leadership, and it has been such a valuable summer experience!”
Her work is helping share the excitement of play with families beyond the museum walls and showing the many ways children grow when they’re given the space to try something new.
Zoe Harris, Kyle Miller & Gavin Dooley: A Summer of Possibilities
Building STEPS internship experience
Through Port Discovery’s long-standing partnership with Building STEPS, Zoe Harris, Kyle Miller and Gavin Dooley are gaining hands-on experience in the world of children’s museums. By shadowing staff and exploring different areas of the museum, they are learning about the many people and behind-the-scenes efforts that bring Port Discovery to life and create meaningful experiences for children and families. Their summer experience is helping them build professional skills, explore potential career paths and discover new possibilities for their futures.
Jedi Winslow: Making Music, Making Memories
Pop-up music programs
Jedi Winslow, from Berklee College of Music, is bringing the power of music and creativity to Port Discovery through pop-up programs designed to get children making music of their own. Working with Derek Cooper, Senior Learning Specialist, Jedi is developing experiences that give young visitors the opportunity to experiment, create and discover the joy of making music together. By bringing music into the museum through interactive experiences, Jedi is helping children see themselves not just as listeners, but as creators.
The Impact of an Internship Goes Beyond the Summer
Every summer, Port Discovery welcomes interns who bring new ideas, unique perspectives and a willingness to learn. But the impact of an internship goes both ways. While these young people gain professional experience and explore potential career paths, the museum benefits from their creativity, curiosity and fresh perspectives.
Their work is a reminder that meaningful learning can happen everywhere, and that everyone has something to contribute.
We are grateful to have Eoin, David, Sean, Chelsey, Kennedi, Marshall, Arianna, Garrison, Zoe, Kyle, Gavin, and Jedi as part of the Port Discovery community this summer. We can’t wait to see where their paths takes them next.
Interested in joining the Port Discovery community? Learn more about internship and volunteer opportunities at Port Discovery Children’s Museum.
