National Science Resources Center Internship Program
Criteria for Internships NSRC accepts students who are currently enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs at a college or university. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. All interns must successfully complete a Federal background check before their internship begins.
Your application must include:
1. Resume or CV
2. Writing Sample
3. Three references from supervisors, teachers, or professors who have observed you in the classroom or workplace.
Registration Deadline
Summer Internship Applications must be completed no later than Friday, March 15, 2013.
Internship Application and Selection Process
If you are interested in an internship position please go to the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) at https://solaa.si.edu. You will need to create an account at this site. After you have created an account, you can begin your application and select your first, second and third choice of program areas of your interest. Your application will be automatically submitted from the SOLAA site to NSRC for consideration. Internship start & end dates are flexible!
Your application will be reviewed by NSRC staff. You will be notified of your status after your submission has been reviewed. Please submit your best work for a complete application!
Typical Assignments for Interns at NSRC: Professional Services Divisions
The Professional Services Divisions of the NSRC work to transform science education by building partnerships with community stakeholders and assisting regions, districts, and schools as they plan for and implement comprehensive inquiry-based science programs. These divisions design and implement courses for K-12 science teachers and teacher leaders, engage educators at all levels from classroom teachers to superintendents, as well as academic institutions, corporations, and foundations. Student interns will work with the Professional Services staff to:
prepare materials for workshops, institutes and events,
conduct online research
research and assist with grant writing
prepare mailings, prepare marketing materials
organize courses for teachers at Smithsonian Institution museums
Attend and facilitate courses, institutes and events
Experience in science, science education, or teaching would be an advantage. Interest in science is essential. Internet and Microsoft Office skills required as well as a willing to perform a wide range of tasks. The NSRC is located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible. Summer Tasks (May–September; Students must intern for 10 weeks):
Assist with the revision and updating of materials for strategic planning and implementation (SPI) institutes, building awareness events, and other special events promoting science education reform.
Attend and assist with the facilitation of Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATS).
Assist in the planning of logistics for upcoming events.
Research new resources (articles, books, reports, etc) in science education.
Organize and assemble participant materials for events.
Interact with teachers to provide course information.
Attend and provide on-site support as needed at local events and events across the country (for age 18+ only).
Digitize and analyze participant evaluations from summer programming.
Other tasks as assigned.
Publications Division
The Publications Division produces and maintains high-quality, educational materials that include Science and Technology Concepts™ (STC™) science curriculum units in the life, earth, and physical sciences for grades K-12 and a series of science reading resources called STC Literacy Series™ that complement our STC Program™. Our division also maintains and updates the NSRC Web site, www.nsrconline.org. Interns can assist in the curriculum development and revision process by:
Writing, editing, performing photo research, and/or creating databases to track development and revision of our educational materials.
Assisting in the maintenance of the NSRC website and the development of new web components.
Aiding in digital asset management of photos and documents.
Image and document scanning, cataloging, and metadata assignment.
Promoting NSRC through social media.
Authoring blog posts about inquiry and science education.
Writing up lessons plans or teaching strategies to be shared on our newly launched website.
Computer assisted drafting of 3D models that could be used in science education (fossils, animals, airplanes, etc.,)
Experience working in an IT environment, writing, editing, proofreading, conducting photo research, computer assisted drafting, blogging/ journalism and/or working with spreadsheets and databases is helpful, but not required.
Summer Tasks (May–September; Students must intern for 10 weeks):
Photo research.
Media research on Smithsonian resources to be used in new and revised curriculum units.
Research on best practices in science education.
Researching standards related to the next generation science.
Contributing original lesson plans or teaching strategies to NSRC blog.
Authoring blog posts that are of interest in STEM education.
Using CAD software to design 3D models useful in science education
Curriculum development and revision (writing, editing, and proofreading as part of a team of writers, editors, education specialists and scientsists.)
Finance & Administration Division
The right hand of the Executive Office is the Finance & Administration Division.
Summer Tasks (May–September; Students must intern for 10 weeks):
Formatting budgets in Excel
Tracking budget expenditures
Research potential donors for core operations development proposals
Organize accountable property documentation
Contract file maintenance
Document archiving
The NSRC is located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible. Microsoft Word and Excel are helpful skills. Business majors with excellent organizational skills are encouraged to apply.
