El Paso Museum of History- Ashley Mascorro (Week 3)

 Hello! Please excuse my late post. 


     I am officially half-way through with my internship and I am still learning more things about th emusuem world and my community everyday. I was able to visit the museum's library that is filled with old and valuable documents and literary pieces. I assisted in alphabetizing these and inputting them in to the system. I got to flip through and handle a directory that was 100 years old! The book-keeper was very invested in the field and had expansive knowledge. I was also tasked with my capstone project for my internship, which is to research space history in El Paso. 



     The museum is set to open an exhibit on the Hubble Telescope later this year. I requested to have my project involve community engagement. The museum educational associate assigned me to research local space organizations or groups that could possibly present during the exhibit's opening. I was also asked to look into any astronomical history that took place in the city. They hope to use the information I collect to further enhance the exhibit and cater it to the community.


This week, we began the 2nd summer camp for the year, a 3D camp for 14-18 year old students in our community. I help get contact information for school and school counselors to recruit students, as well as information for potential community partners that could advertise the camp information for us on a broader spectrum. The camp's focus is to collaborate or an upcoming exhibition that is inclusive for our residents with disabilities. We had a guest speaker who developed blindess come in and speak to the campers. She helped the students understand the hardships people with visual, auditory, or physical impairments go through when visiting public spaces like museums. The students are going to develop 3D prints of museums artifacts and objects that allow for disabled populations to touch the objects rather than having to get a description read through them for an object sitting behind a glass. The museum collaborated with a local 3D printing nonprofit to make these prints and camp possible. 


I am so excited to see how the exhibition turns out and all the contributions that students will have in it as well as their impact. It is inspirational to see how future generations are making a difference and striving towards an inclusive and diverse future!


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