Douglas M. Lapp Endowment Internship in Education

Douglas M. Lapp, the first Executive Director of the National Science Resources Center, now named the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

Background

The Douglas M. Lapp Endowment Internship in Education is funded through an endowed fund in honor of Douglas M. Lapp, the first Executive Director of the National Science Resources Center (NSRC), now named the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). 

Awardees of the Lapp Endowment Internship are appointed based on a demonstrated interest in the field of science education.                              

Internships are available for graduate students only who are interested in pursuing a career in the communications, marketing, or public relations fields.

This program was established in honor of Douglas M. Lapp, founding Executive Director of the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) from 1985 to 2002, now called the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC).   The SSEC’s mission is to transform the teaching and learning of science for K-12 students throughout the nation and the world. 

As Director, he was responsible for defining the Center’s overall education program, especially for K-12 students and teachers, including building awareness for K-12 science education reform among State and district leaders; conducting programs that support the professional growth of K-12 teachers and school leaders.  Also, Doug guided the NSRC to find sustainable ways to bring inquiry and experience-based science into the classroom. Through this mandate, our original curriculum tackled issues such as invasive species, species interdependency, energy conservation, and soil conservation through a variety of curricular units spanning grades 1-8.

Purpose

Intern will conduct original research within science education and audience engagement and write original content at the intersection of policy and science education for our target audiences. 

The outcomes of the intern’s learning experience include the following:

  • Help implement brand marketing and public relations best practices to increase brand awareness among SSEC’s target audience
  • Generate and revise blog posts based on the SSEC’s thought leadership
  • Learn to use a content management system (CMS) for web development to distribute content produced by the SSEC.
  • Learn how to interview members of our target audience for promotional materials
  • Learn how to work across the Smithsonian Institution to collaborate on brand awareness
  • Learn how to create media kits for partner organizations and how to pitch articles to media outlets
  • Learn how to execute against a public relations strategy for an educational organization
  • Write and revise blog posts based on trends in audience engagement, Google Trends, and science education

In 2019, we hosted our first intern!

Image of Douglas M. Lapp and Sara Cottle. Douglas M. Lapp and Sara Cottle

Sara Cottle is a graduate student at the University of Colorado-Boulder studying Environmental Journalism and assisted our Curriculum team with module development within the Global Goals project.  

Here is what Sara had to say about her internship:

“I know it may be cheesy, but really the entire internship was memorable. From the friends I made to the people I had the chance to work with. The most memorable moment, though, was probably our trip out to SERC. That day I felt like I truly got to connect, work, and have fun with Hazel and Andre. We got to go seining that day and all I can remember is how excited I was and how much Andre and Hazel fed into my excitement for the activity. They didn't care that I'd never done it before they did nothing but encourage and make it even more fun and exciting. I don't remember laughing as hard as I did that day all summer.

Being able to see everything the Smithsonian offers and the different branches is always amazing. Seriously, send someone here for a week and see if they don't leave with years worth of inspiration for projects and ideas.”

Eligibility

  • U.S. Citizens and U.S. permanent residents
  • Graduate students are preferred.  To be considered for this opportunity one must currently be enrolled as a graduate student with plans to pursue a graduate degree in the communications, marketing, or public relations fields of study.

How it Works

The 2023 internship dates are May 2023 to September 2023.

Awardees of the Lapp Endowment Internship are appointed based on a demonstrated interest in the pursuit of a communications/marketing/public relations discipline and available funds.

Stipend

$2500

 

Application Deadline

March 31, 2023

 

How to Apply

Apply online through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) and search for Smithsonian Science Education Center.  Please carefully review the position description(s) prior to applying.

Once you have created an account and logged into SOLAA, you will need to complete all the required information including:

  • A current resume
  • A short essay including learning objectives
  • Two references from professors, advisors, or recent employers

Candidates will be asked to interview by phone.