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. If you can find an internship opportunity that matches your education and/or career goals, we encourage you to apply!

Application Deadline

The application deadline is March 13, 2026.

Application and Selection Process

To apply:

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!

2026 Internship Descriptions

Research Assistant Intern

Project Description: The Research Assistant Intern will work with the Professional Services team of the Smithsonian Science Education Center to support the program evaluation efforts on the SSEC's leadership programs. Learning objectives include:

  • Gaining an understanding of program evaluation, research procedures, and analysis methods in the field of science education.
  • Assisting the development/revision of survey instruments. 
  • Assisting in data collection for human subject research and program evaluation.
  • This task may include communication with participants and working on an online platform.
  • Cleaning and organizing data in spreadsheets.
  •  Conducting quantitative and qualitative data analysis under the supervision of an SSEC staff member. This task may include descriptive statistics, t-test, thematic coding and case studies.
  • Supporting the writing of evaluation reports with the findings from the analysis.

Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills in educational data, experience/interest in science education, the ability to work with various data sets, clear and effective report-writing skills, and adherence to deadlines. Preferred candidates are a current graduate student in education or science field, and/or who has taken at least one quantitative research method course in undergraduate/graduate school. Experience with the SPSS or a similar software is a plus. The intern will be managed directly by a Senior Research Scientist and will receive feedback and guidance on their work.

In addition to a cover letter, CV/Resume, and essay, candidates should also submit exemplary work related to data analysis (e.g. school report, final coursework)

This internship will last for ten weeks at a flexible start time between June-August, 2026. Hours: 40 hours per week. The internship will be virtual. We encourage both US-based and international candidates to apply. Stipends are available.

STEAM Schools of Distinction Intern​

Project Description: This intern will work with educators, researchers, staff, and SSEC partners to support the planning and execution of the 2026 STEAM Schools of Distinction Strategic Planning Institute (SPI) during summer 2026. 
 
Learning Objectives Include: 

  1. Gain an understanding of the LASER model for transforming formal education through strategic planning and professional development. 
  2. Gain an understanding of the STEAM Schools of Distinction framework, including STEM Education for a more sustainable future, to inform the planning and development for the SPI.
  3. Research new resources to supplement both the intern’s and organization’s understandings of science, STEM and sustainability education. 
  4. Learn the basics of educational program development and strategic planning including the revision of organizational systems, building strong communication skills, and best practices in partnerships and collaborations. 
  5. Participate in educational program development and building partnerships, and practice the foundations of event planning, including excellent communication, organization, and customer service skills. 
  6. Work collaboratively with SSEC staff to create practice support documents for virtual and in-person programs.

 
The intern will receive daily instruction, guidance, and feedback on all assigned tasks. The intern will also get an understanding of why tasks are necessary and how they contribute to achieving positive outcomes.  
 
This internship will last for 10 weeks beginning in June 2026. We accept hybrid or in-person interns from undergraduate and graduate levels. Hours: 30-40 hours/week. Additional hours and fully in-person work will be required in the weeks leading up to, and the week of the Strategic Planning Institute. 

Smithsonian Science for the Classroom Intern

Interns will work with Smithsonian Science Education Center curriculum developers to assist in the development of nonfiction stories that will be included in Smithsonian Science for the Classroom units. Interns will apply knowledge of science content, information gathered through expert interviews, and independent research, to support the development of high-quality, grade-appropriate texts for middle school classroom use.

Learning objectives include:

  • Work in collaboration with Smithsonian Science Education (SSEC) curriculum developers to identify, research, and plan informational texts to be included in NGSS-aligned science curricula.
  • Assist in identifying and interviewing experts related to: Earth, life, physical science, and engineering. Work associated with this objective includes synthesizing information and translating high-level academic information into student-facing materials. 
  • Outline, draft, and revise informational texts containing science content for a diverse middle school audience.
  • Identify images and illustrations that will support texts and learn to navigate the process of properly crediting sources and seeking permission for use of found images in publications.
  • Receive and respond to revision requests and feedback from SSEC curriculum developers in a thorough and timely manner.

Candidates should have strong writing skills, independent research skills, the ability to communicate professionally with experts, experience/interest in education or curriculum, and the ability to meet tight deadlines. Interns will be managed directly by a Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum developer and will receive feedback and guidance on their writing.

The internship will be a hybrid appointment, with interns working both remotely and on-site. The internship will be 8 weeks and take place between May 11 and August 14, 2026, and requires a minimum of 35 hours per week. 

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.

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 the SSEC Internship Coordinator at SSEC-HR@si.edu.