Hello! My name is Melissa Cano and I am the AAPT intern for this summer! I am currently a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso where I am a Physics major, minoring in Secondary Education. I am currently employed as an Undergraduate Physics research assistant in the (NICE^2) laboratory; Nano particles in materials, Interfaces and Confinement for Energy and the Environment. I study the structure of materials such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents using SAXS and WAXS scattering techniques with my mentor Dr. Banuelos. I have also had the opportunity to work as a Physics lab teaching assistant, where I teach the mechanics physics lab to one-hundred undergraduate students each semester.

I have been involved in SPS for three years, including holding a Secretary and Vice President officer position. I am a member of the FEMaS (Future Educator of Math and Science) organization that hosts weekly meetings that provide resources to aid future careers as math and science teachers, with guest speakers.

I am an ADP MaST Academy scholar, (Math and Science Teachers Academy) where I have done over one-hundred-sixty hours of field hour observations in high school physics and math classrooms. I have attended monthly workshops for lesson plan designs, classroom management, technology in the classroom, accommodations, at-risk students, among others.

I enjoy attending physics conferences as well as hanging in the SPS room to chat, play table tennis, or work on homework with friends. I am proficiently fluent in Spanish, and I also play the violin. Over the years studying physics, I have learned that I want to be as inspiring as I am passionate. I want my classroom to be full of interactive lessons and learning opportunities. I want to build confidence in my students and utilize their strengths so they can pursue their own dreams, just like I have with mine.

I am so excited and honored to be working with the SPS National as the AAPT Intern, I cannot wait to see what the summer brings!