Smithsonian Science Education Center Internship Program

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is transforming K-12 Education Through Science™ in collaboration with communities across the globe. The SSEC develops innovative new STEM curriculum and digital resources, conducts professional development for STEM teachers and fosters STEM education leadership among school and community leaders. We encourage you to look through our website and learn more about us before you apply. The SSEC is not a physical laboratory and we do not provide any scientific research or museum education internships.

 

Smithsonian Science Education Center Internships

Eligibility for Interns

As there are a wide range of opportunities for learning, age and/or educational requirements are listed on each internship. Any applicant who is under eighteen (18) years of age must complete and upload a parental consent form. Please contact us at SSEC-HR@si.edu request this form. If you can find an internship opportunity that matches your education and/or career goals, we encourage you to apply!

Application Deadline

The application period for Spring/Summer 2025 internships has closed.
The application period for our Fall 2025 internship is currently open and will close June 27, 2025.

Application and Selection Process

To apply, go to the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) and create an account. 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 (see program descriptions below).  Your application will be automatically submitted from SOLAA to the SSEC for consideration.  Do not send any application materials directly to SSEC! 

Your application will be reviewed by the staff at SSEC. You can view your application status in SOLAA at any time. After complete applications have been reviewed, only selected candidates will be contacted by telephone for a phone interview. Please submit your best work for a complete application!

2025 Internship Descriptions

NESST Convening Internship

Project Description: Intern will work with Smithsonian Science Education Center's Professional Services team to plan for and support an in-person convening for NESST, the Network for Emergent Socio-Scientific Thinking. NESST is the Network for Emergent Socio-Scientific Thinking. Housed at Smithsonian Science Education Center, it is a global network comprised of youth, educational innovators, business leaders, STEM professionals, organizations, and communities interested in transforming STEM education for sustainable development. Committed to thinking differently through the lens of emergence and complexity, NESST reimagines education for life on a sustainable planet. This intern will specifically work on the planning for an in-person convening. Learning objectives include:

  • Assisting in the development of agendas and programs for the in-person convening and any virtual pre-meetings.
  • Liaise with NESST members to track attendance, travel needs, and accommodations.
  • Assist in planning sessions, recruiting speakers, and identifying session needs and materials
  • Maintain communications with all in-person convening participants and stakeholders. 
  • Support on-site management of materials and people for the convening.

Candidates should have strong writing skills, skills in independent research, the ability to communicate professionally with experts verbally and in writing. Ideal candidates have had previous involvement in NESST through the Youth Ambassador Program or through the Collaborative Action Research Project.

Interns will be mentored directly by the Assistant Division Director of Professional Service and the Program Assistant at SSEC and will receive feedback and guidance on their writing, research, and other content creation.

This internship has flexible start and end dates between August - October 2025. Hours: 20-40 hours per week. Intern will be expected to travel (fully financed by SSEC) to Washington, DC for the NESST Convening. We accept virtual or hybrid interns from undergraduate and graduate levels. We encourage both US-based and international candidates to apply. Stipends will be available.

 

 

 

Check out some of our past SSEC Interns!

See what some of our amazing interns had to say about working with SSEC. 

 

Douglas M. Lapp Endowment Internship in Education

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

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.

For more information about this internship, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for SSEC internships? If you are interested in a position, please go to the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA). You will need to create an account at this site. After you have created an account, you can begin your application, which will be automatically submitted from the SOLAA site to the SSEC for consideration. You will be able to upload the required documents (resume or CV, learning goals essay, three references from supervisors or teachers) to your application online. You will be notified of your status through SOLAA after your materials have been reviewed.

What is the deadline for applications? SSEC open application period for Spring/Summer 2025 internships is open now through March 17, 2025. 

How many internship positions are available? We have a limited number of positions available. It’s best to apply before the deadline to be considered.  

Is there a stipend? A modest stipend will be provided to interns. Let us know if you need to obtain credit or volunteer service hours.

What are the work hours? A typical work schedule at the SSEC is either from 8:30am - 5:00pm or from 9:00am - 5:30pm Monday through Friday.  Our virtual internships can be flexible to fit the student’s schedule.  A 25 to 40-hour work week will be permitted.  We encourage full-time participation, but we will work with you to accommodate reasonable time commitments.

What should I include in my learning goals essay? An essay outlining your learning goals is a required component of this application process. The short paper (one page at most) will outline what you hope to learn and accomplish over the course of your internship, and how this internship will help you in your academic and/or professional career. Feel free to expand on your previous experience, or even to use a well-thought-out cover letter as your learning goals essay.

If, however, you are applying for a position that involves technical writing, it might be in your best interest to demonstrate your abilities in that specific writing style and include a writing sample. Finally, if you are interested in a graphic design or web position, feel free to also include a sample of your artwork instead of a writing sample.

My school requires me to do an internship for graduation. Can I do an internship for credit? Some universities, such as The George Washington University, already have established programs with the Smithsonian. In such cases, the transition to an internship for credit should be relatively easy. Where such programs do not exist, we will work with you and your school to determine whether our internship fulfills the requirements for your specific institution.

I am international student. Can I still apply? What do you receive from your school that states you have permission to take an internship? If you have an international advisor at your school, have they been notified by you that you are applying for internships? Does your school have requirements that you must follow before applying for any jobs or internships?

This information is really important, and it will direct our steps in making sure that we can proceed with your application correctly.  Most schools provide students with a CPT - Curricular Practical Training, if you receive an internship. You would be considered eligible to work in the U.S. provided the internship is related to your major/minor. You would then get a letter from your academic advisor and send it to the International Center at your school. They will then process it for you and issue a CPT card to you which will be attached to your I-20 (F-1 Visa). You will only need to show your school's International Center the appointment letter from the SSEC stating you have received an internship. Speak with your international advisor and ask what you need to do before you apply.

How can I learn more about all Smithsonian internship opportunities? For more information about all Smithsonian internships, go to the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships(OAAI) home page.

The Smithsonian Institution does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, parental status, or military service.

Questions about SSEC internship opportunities, please contact Kate Echevarria, Internship Coordinator at EchevarriaK@si.edu.