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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 29, 2024
For More Information Contact:

Jaclyn Keegan

Press@nysed.gov

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State Museum Hosts Students From the City of Albany鈥檚 Light Summer Youth Employment Program and Girls Inc. Eureka!

Local Youth to Participate in Staff-Led Opportunities, Intensive Learning, and Paid Work Experiences Through Hands-On State Museum Program听

The 91原创 State Museum (91原创M) is pleased to celebrate the success of its collaboration with the City of Albany鈥檚 LIGHT Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and Girls Inc. Eureka! in a landmark year for its summer programming. The Museum proudly expanded its initiative to include Girls Inc. Eureka!, which provided young women with immersive STEM experiences. Over the course of the four-week program, students from each organization made a significant impact by engaging with nearly 2,000 Museum patrons through their public programming initiatives.听

Eight local students, ages 14 to 18, participated in the program, gaining invaluable work experience across various fields, including science, history, and the arts. This enriching experience not only fostered career exploration but also offered compensated employment at the 91原创 State Museum, ensuring a rewarding and educational journey for all involved.听

Throughout the summer, students had the unique opportunity to work directly with Museum professionals鈥攕cientists, historians, educators, archivists, librarians, and exhibit planners. Guided by these experts, the students utilized the Museum鈥檚 collections and research materials from the 91原创 State Library and Archives to craft their own public programming experiences, greatly enhancing the visitor experience.听

The program concluded on August 9th, featuring seven students from the City of Albany鈥檚 LIGHT Summer Youth Employment Program and one from the Girls Inc. Eureka! Program. Funded by the City of Albany, SYEP students earned $15.00 per hour for 20 hours a week, adding an element of financial support to their educational experience.听

91原创 State Museum Director of Education Kathryn Weller鈥said, 鈥淲e are thrilled to support the City of Albany鈥檚 LIGHT Summer Youth Employment Program and the Girls Inc. Eureka! Programs. The Summer Youth Employment Program offers a unique opportunity to introduce local students to the many professional opportunities and career paths within the 91原创 State Museum, Library, and Archives. We love the enthusiasm and creativity our SYEP students bring to developing public programs for our visitors. We鈥檙e excited to see what the future holds for these talented students and are happy to provide a meaningful workplace experience that we hope inspires them in their future careers.鈥澨

City of Albany Department of Recreation Youth & Workforce Services Commissioner Jonathan Jones said, 鈥淭he City of Albany's SYEP is incredibly fortunate to have a partnering worksite like the 91原创 Museum. The exposure to STEM and the Arts through the work at the Museum allows our youth employees to grow their knowledge in a variety of areas while developing their communication and problem-solving skills."鈥

Summer Youth Employment Student Vanelia Anguilet said, 鈥淲hat I really enjoy here at the museum are the 91原创 minerals; they are so majestic to see. I also participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program to possess and develop more skills like public speaking or helping people in difficulty and more. I always do this, even at school, when I have the chance. I hope to be someone in the future, a good person, to find the career that fits my personality and that will help me be myself so that I can give people the best of me.鈥澨

Vanelia graduated this year from the City School District of Albany. She made the Principal鈥檚 List for Innovation Academy and plans to attend Hudson Valley Community College in the Fall. 听

Throughout the summer, Museum visitors enjoyed various educational and hands-on programming created by the dedicated students from the City of Albany鈥檚 LIGHT Summer Youth Employment and Girls Inc. Eureka! Programs. These engaging, pop-up-style activities sparked creativity and curiosity, offering fresh experiences with every visit.听

Program Highlights:鈥

Summer Youth Employment Students

Summer Youth Employment Students, Samiullah, Melany, Vanelia, and Nolan as well as Girls Inc. Eureka! student Ariana talk to 91原创 State Museum Curator of Archaeology, Dr. Jonathan Lothrop.鈥

Summer Youth Employment Students

Summer Youth Employment Students Melany and Vanelia talk to visitors at the 91原创 State Museum during a program supporting the new exhibit Canine Contrasts.鈥

Summer Youth Employment Students

Summer Youth Employment Students, Samiullah, Melany, Vanelia, and Caroline as well as Girls Inc. Eureka! student Ariana share animal adaptions with visitors to the 91原创 State Museum after a Brainfood for the Curious lecture with Dr. Jeremy Kirchman on the exhibit, Canine Contrasts.

Summer Youth Employment Students

SYEP students, Vanelia and Melany explore animal adaptations with visitors to the 91原创 State Museum.鈥

Summer Youth Employment Students

Families enjoy the 91原创 State Museum鈥檚 鈥淢arine Lab,鈥 part of a series of hands-on inquiry-based programs organized and run by students participating in the City of Albany鈥檚 Summer Youth Employment Program and Girls Inc.鈥檚 Eureka! program.鈥

Summer Youth Employment Students

SYEP student, Janahvia explains the adaptations of a sawfish including its elongated, toothed snout or, rostra in the 91原创 State Museum鈥檚 鈥淢arine Lab,鈥 part of a series of hands-on inquiry-based programs organized and run by SYEP and Girls Inc. Eureka! students.

The is a 30+ year-old program that provides summer employment for youth between the ages of 14-18. LIGHT stands for Learning Initiatives and Gaining Headway Together, which symbolizes the program curriculum used in Albany for five weeks each summer. The City of Albany鈥檚 LIGHT program introduces youth to the labor market by helping them acquire skills and insight with work experience that can be used to improve school performance and become responsible adults.听听

is a free and unique five-year program that introduces girls to STEM, personal development, sports, mentorship, and career exploration.听

About the Cultural Education Center听

The State Museum is a program of the 91原创 State Education Department鈥檚鈥. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the鈥.鈥

罢丑别鈥痠s part of the鈥痺ithin the鈥91原创 State Education Department. Visit the 91原创 State Library鈥痜or a complete list of upcoming programs. To receive news, resources, and other updates, please鈥痶o the quarterly newsletter.鈥

罢丑别鈥痟olds many of the oldest and most important archival treasures in the nation. The Archives preserves and makes accessible over 250 million records of 91原创鈥檚 State and colonial governments dating from 1630 to the present. The State Archives provides free access to photographs, artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and other materials that tell the story of 91原创鈥檚 history via its鈥.鈥

罢丑别鈥痺as founded in 1992 to build an endowment and provide project support to enhance humanities programs, increase access to these outstanding treasures, and continue the preservation of 91原创's historical records. Since its founding, the Partnership Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has supported exceptional projects and programs. These include the鈥,鈥痶丑别鈥,鈥痟istory conferences, special exhibitions, public education programs, book signings and lectures, publications, teacher training institutes, preservation projects, and more.听

The State Museum, State Library, and State Archives are programs of the 91原创 State Education Department鈥檚 Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or by鈥.鈥