Picture of Jess Pederson in dinosaur costume

Jess Pederson, Camp Fire Central Oregon's STEAM Program Coordinator

Jess Pederson, STEAM Program Coordinator:

Coding ‘Creative’ Into Camp Fire’s STEAM Success

There’s no question that fall is a super cool time of year for Camp Fire. In particular, that’s when our FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) Competition Teams take shape and start skilling up to compete in the upcoming FLL Qualifying Tournament, taking place at Mountainview High School in Bend, Dec. 15.

Kids and Jess Pederson at Veterans Day Parade.

As part of their duties, Jess Pederson heads up No School Day Camps, which recently included overseeing Camp Fire's participation in the 2024 Veteran's Day Parade in Bend.

But here’s some other rad news: Behind this year’s tournament and leading all three Camp Fire teams is a somewhat new and super stellar staff member: Jess Pederson (she/they). Jess joined our crew at the end of the summer, stepping in as our STEAM Program Coordinator, which means she heads up our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) efforts, including our three robotics teams. But that’s not all! She’ll be wearing other hats throughout the year, bringing to all their responsibilities an array of talents, an undeniable sense of humor, and a deep desire to nurture kindness for human beings. Join all your Camp Fire friends in learning more about Jess! Read More Here.

Q: Tell us about your personal and professional background, experience and new role here with us—and what drew you to join Camp Fire?
A: I have worked in outdoor retail, as a park technician, as a special education teacher, and a middle school English teacher. I feel that my role as the STEAM Program Coordinator at Camp Fire is the perfect culmination of all the elements I loved about my prior professional experience — education, the outdoors and the environment!

Q: What is your role as STEAM Program Coordinator?
A: I run the FIRST Lego League teams (two in Bend, one in Three Rivers) and will be running all of the No School Day Camps, which will be heavily STEAM-centered. I will also be in charge of all future STEAM activities, which are taking shape quickly for 2025! (Of note, the Camp Fire programs team is always open to suggestions from any Camp Fire people, regardless of whether you’ve participated in something before or not! Got an idea? Drop me an email at jess@campfireco.org.)

Speaking of STEAM, this is a great time to share how Camp Fire’s STEM program evolved into a STEAM program, with the addition of the letter “A” for Art. Typically, people see the STEM acronym used (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). But we have very strong feelings about the addition of the “A” for Art in STEAM because it not only emphasizes the importance of the Arts amidst the "hard sciences" but also highlights the creativity implicit within those disciplines. In my opinion, creativity, in its simplest form, is the ability to make connections and create something new, which is exactly what scientists do! Additionally, in our increasingly connected and ever-evolving world, I feel we must use these forces of change—this ability to think interdisciplinarily—for positive growth.

Jess Pederson works with youth in robotics.

Jess Pederson leads three FIRST® LEGO League robotics teams this year. Pictured here: youth from the South County team.

Q: What are your sparks?
A: I love learning, reading, creating art and spending time outside.

Q: What are your future goals—professional and personal?
A: Professionally, I want to continue creating STEAM educational opportunities for youth, but I want to do so for ALL ages. Personally, I would like to plant and grow a really big garden.

Q: What's your favorite part of working with youth?
A: My first and foremost goal when working with youth is creating and facilitating safe spaces where kids feel comfortable being their authentic selves and taking creative risks.

Q: Why does your job—and Camp Fire—matter?
A: Camp Fire's mission is to connect young people to the outdoors, to others and to themselves. I believe that to thrive in the world, we must be self-aware and experience belonging amongst both our fellow humans and nature. As the STEAM Program Coordinator, I have been granted the opportunity to help facilitate growth in knowledge about ourselves and the world, which I find hugely gratifying.