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:
Resume or CV
Writing Sample
Three references from
supervisors, teachers, or professors who have observed you in the classroom or
workplace.
Registration Deadline
For summer internships, please submit your application
no later than Thursday, March 15, 2012.
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.eduYou 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.
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!
NEW!!! NSRC is expanding the internship program to have
students join us year-round! Please call our Internship Coordinator before you
apply as we will have a limited number of opportunities available.
Science Education Program
Areas for Interns
Center for Strategic
Planning and Reform Initiatives
Center for Teacher Professional Development
Initiatives
International Division
Publications Division
Executive Office
Finance & Administration Division
Typical Assignments for
Interns at NSRC:
Center for Strategic
Planning and Reform Initiatives
The Center
for Strategic Planning and Reform Initiatives of the NSRC works 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. The center engages
educators at all levels from classroom teachers to superintendents, as well as
academic institutions, corporations, and foundations. The student intern will
work with the SPI Center staff to prepare materials for institutes and events,
conduct online research, assist with grant writing, prepare marketing
materials, and attend and support 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.
Spring Tasks (January–May)
Recruit
regional/district/school teams for summer International Strategic Planning
Institute
Revise/update materials for
strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation
institutes
Plan logistics of upcoming
strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation
institutes
Research new resources
(articles, books, etc.), topics of focus in science education
Prepare for annual NSRC Forum
Summer Tasks (June–August; Students
must intern for 10 weeks)
Organize and assemble materials
for strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation
institutes
Plan logistics of upcoming
strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation
institutes
Attend and facilitate on-site
needs for International Strategic Planning Institute
Attend and facilitate on-site
needs for other strategic planning institutes, building awareness events,
implementation institutes (over age 18 only)
Fall Tasks (September–December)
Digitize evaluations from
summer programming
Assist in scheduling institutes
and events through the next summer
Develop marketing materials for
the next International Strategic Planning Institute
Assist with writing grants
Center for
Teacher Professional Development Initiatives The Center for Teacher Professional Development Initiatives of
the NSRC designs and implements courses for K-12 science teachers and teacher
leaders. The center engages
educators in a variety of experiences that enhance both their content knowledge
and approaches to the teaching of science. The student intern will work with
the PD Center staff to prepare materials for workshops, conduct online
research, research and assist with grant writing, prepare mailings, organize
courses for teachers at Smithsonian Institution museums, and attend and
facilitate courses. Some 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.
Spring Tasks (January–May)
Grant writing
Educational research
Teacher recruitment
Preparing for annual NSRC Forum
Summer Tasks related to the
Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (June –August; Students
must intern for 10 weeks)
Preparing course resource
materials
Contacting and securing
Academies presenters
Providing teachers with course
information
Attending and assisting with
the facilitation of summer Academies
Fall Tasks (September–December)
Processing Academies evaluation
data
Producing reports for Academies
funders
Develop marketing materials for
summer Academies
Recruitment of teachers
(mailing, email blasts, and at events)
International Division
The National Science Resources Center International
Division has internships available for individuals with an interest in
promoting our international presence. Activities will be both short and long
term in scope, to include promoting science education as a driver of economic
development, collaboration among education, scientific, and reform communities
around the world, and contributing to development work to support this mission.
We are looking for articulate students who are able to communicate verbally and
in writing, and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel. The NSRC
is located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible.
Publications Division
The Communication and 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. Interns interested in
information technology or web issues may assist in the maintenance of the NSRC
website and the development of new web components. Assistance is also needed
with digital asset management of photos and documents. Interns may work on
image and document scanning, cataloging, and metadata assignment in addition to
other assignments.
Helpful, but not required
experience in: working in an IT environment, writing, editing, and
proofreading, photo research, and/or working with spreadsheets and databases.
Year-round Tasks
(January–December)
Photo research, illustrations,
etc. (Continuing the development of an “Art Manuscript” for new kindergarten units)
Media research on Smithsonian resources to be used in new and revised curriculum units
Research on best practices in science education (especially for grades K-5)
Research on Science Common Core
Standards being developed
Curriculum development and
revision (writing, editing, and proofreading working as a team with writers,
editors, and education and science specialists)
Executive Office
Year-round Tasks (January–December) This department supports the Executive Director with
administrative projects geared toward achieving the success of the
organization. Interns will assist with the organizational events such as the
National Advisory Board Meeting, International Coalition Meeting, small
development projects and other organizational tasks such as writing letters,
preparing materials, event planning, and general office support. The NSRC is
located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible. Helpful skills
needed: Microsoft Word and Excel, excellent verbal and written communication
skills, and the ability to multi-task.
Finance & Administrative
Division
The right hand of the Executive
Office is the Finance & Administration Division. This division
consists of two administrative functions – Finance and Human Resources.
Year-round Tasks for Finance
(January–December)
Formatting budgets in Excel
Tracking budget expenditures
Research potential donors for
core operations development proposals
Organize accountable property documentation
Contract file maintenance
Document archiving
Year-round Tasks for Human
Resources (January–December)
Assist with coordination of
NSRC Internship Program
Maintain relationship with
school career centers
Create communications (flyers,
brochures, white papers, etc.) to attract new interns
Prepare selection packets for
new interns
Create new hire orientation
binders for new employees
Maintain spreadsheets to track
staff professional development
Create tracking spreadsheets
for phone and in-person interviews
Update various HR logs and
records
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.
