Katherine Facenda '23: The Smile Architect
Katherine’s foray into biology might seem an unlikely one for a future dentist.
Jennifer Scarborough '17 developed her passion for science education at Emmanuel—and now guides learners of all ages through humans' environmental and evolutionary journey at the Museum of Science Boston's Hall of Human Life.
Chemistry graduate Jennifer Scarborough '17 has found a way to combine her love for science and education. She shares her enthusiasm for the subjects as an education associate in the Hall of Human Life exhibit at Museum of Science Boston—one of the top science museums in the country (according to National Geographic).
One of the Museum's permanent exhibits, the highly-interactive Hall of Human Life explores such far-reaching questions as "How do genetics work?" "What makes you hungry?" and "How does your circle of friends change your brain?" Jennifer has been working within the exhibit since October 2017, first as a part-time program presenter and then in a full-time capacity. In a typical day as an education associate, she divides her time between educating visitors on the exhibit floor, working on professional development training and creating programming.
As a child (and, even then, a member of the Museum), Jennifer was fascinated with marine biology and wanted to become a doctor. She chose Emmanuel after meeting with Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Aren Gerdon at an accepted students day.
As a student and teaching assistant in Emmanuel's chemistry department, her favorite courses were on toxicology, the chemistry of fire and explosives and research methods. She rounded out her student experience with roles in the Chemistry Club, Emmanuel College Programming Team, Dance Marathon and the Sailing Club. Thinking back on her time at the College, she most appreciates the small college atmosphere and that faculty saw students as individuals and not just another number in class.
That appreciation extends to Emmanuel's Career Center, which Jennifer utilized as both an undergraduate and as an alumna. Career Advisors connected her with an education and research internship at Jumpstart, which she completed while a graduate student in the M.S. in Science Education program at Tufts University. She puts those skills to use every day at the Museum, navigating the many and different preferred learning styles of a multi-generational workplace.
Jennifer advises incoming Emmanuel students to connect with faculty early and often in their Emmanuel journey, and graduating students to try something out of their comfort zone.
