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The Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) welcomes Yoon Thwel, a spring Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) intern and Matthew Kenzinger, a visiting student from Grinnell College.
Yoon is a student at Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland pursuing an associate degree in Graphic Design and Communication Studies. She plans to transfer to the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland to further her education and pursue a bachelor's degree in a related field. Passionate about creating compelling content, Yoon enjoys working collaboratively with others to bring creative ideas to life. With a strong interest in the visual and communicative aspects of design, Yoon aspires to become an art director in the future.
Yoon’s Metric Program research, with mentor Elizabeth Benham, is focused on optimizing OWM program website content, tour stop communications and expanding the International System of Units (SI) education outreach resources. Projects include updating the SI Teacher Kit promotional materials, as well as contributing to the development of educational posters for the 2025 National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conference and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) 150th anniversary of the signing of the Meter Convention symposium and conference, celebrated as World Metrology Day (20 May 2025). Yoon’s work includes expanding classroom records for inclusion in the NIST Educational STEM Resource Registry (NEST-R), an online tool that allows educators, parents, and students to easily discover learning resources published across many programs.
Matthew is a student at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa pursuing physics and engineering degrees. He visited NIST as part of the college’s “Externship” program, matching students with active professionals during the college’s spring break. Matthew met with numerous folks at NIST, both in OWM and in other laboratories, to discuss the substance and impact of their work. He also spent time observing and engaging with metrology training offered by OWM through the Lab Metrology Program.
Internship experiences are invaluable opportunities for students and are an important mechanism to help NIST develop a world-class pool of scientists and engineers to support our mission. Through the PREP and other NIST International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) programs, OWM is pleased to offer work experience opportunities to students.