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, SSEC accepts applications from students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs, as well as high school students (at least 16 years old).  The SSEC is actively seeking a diverse applicant pool. Some internships may require the success completion of a federal background check before their internship begins.  

Application Deadline

SSEC open application period for Spring/Summer 2025 internships is open now through March 17, 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

Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative: Hidden Histories: Stories of Women in STEM From America's 250th Intern

What hidden stories of women in STEM exist in the United States’ 250 years of history? What of the 154.8 million objects housed in the Smithsonian collection has a story that needs to be told? Hidden Histories: Stories of Women in STEM From America's 250th eBook will dust off the underrepresented stories of women in STEM professions that have gone unrecognized.

The Hidden Histories: Stories of Women in STEM intern will help organize and write content for Hidden Histories: Stories of Women in STEM From America's 250th eBook. This eBook will be part of the Stories of Women in STEM eBook series. The Women in STEM eBook series is a series of free educational eBooks for middle school age readers. Designed to highlight the often-overlooked role of women in STEM, the eBooks feature biographies of trailblazing women who made history through their scientific discoveries and innovation. Each eBook has a theme or topic that unites the women's stories, such as women in biotechnology. The short biographies highlight different paths, obstacles, and careers of women in STEM to inspire the next generation. Readers learn how women have defied stereotypes and overcome structural barriers to advance the science, technology, engineering, and math industry. Hidden Histories: Stories of Women in STEM From America's 250th eBook will also highlight items in the Smithsonian collection and give the opportunity for an intern to uncover items that may not get the focus they deserve. Learning objectives include:

  • Conduct research: compile a list of possible interviewees and Smithsonian collections objects to feature in the eBook
  • Hone interview skills: compose a list of interview questions that both the intern and the public find engaging and informative
  • Practice professional communication: create an email template to send to interviewees and coordinate and conduct interviews with STEM professionals
  • Enhance writing: write story drafts based on interviews conducted and on collections object research
  • Learn publishing skills: gain insight on the eBook publication/production process by request and compile images for the eBook and guiding the stories into the copy edit and production cycle

Candidates should have strong writing skills, skills in independent research, the ability to communicate professionally with experts, experience/interest in writing, journalism, science, and/or education. Interns will be managed directly by the project manager in the Curriculum, Digital Media, and Communications division and will receive feedback and guidance on their writing, research, and interviewing.

This is a hybrid internship with some days in our Washington, DC office and others working at home. The internship will last from June 9 - August 15, 2025. Hours: 40 hours per week. We accept undergraduate and graduate level interns. Stipend will be available the intern.

The funding for this stipend comes from the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum in support of programs that amplify women’s stories to tell a more complete American history, reach a broad audience, and empower and inspire people from all walks of life

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NESST Communications Internship

Project Description: Intern will work with Smithsonian Science Education Center's Professional Services team and the Communications team to create content, support programming, and tell stories 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 communications that surround and support NESST. Learning objectives include:

  • Assisting in the development of social media posts and other communications about NESST. This task may include interviewing, researching, or otherwise gathering additional information about NESST members or NESST's work.
  • Assisting in identifying and interviewing members of NESST about their work and contributions to the network, recording and transcribing interviews, synthesizing information, and translating into information for the general public through social media, blog posts, or other formats.
  • Identifying topics for the NESST Speaker Series, recruiting speakers, coordinating logistics, and supporting the production of the Speaker Series.
  • Helping to plan and support virtual meetings of NESST participants as necessary.
  • Representing intern’s own context and perspectives in collaborative discussions about NESST.

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 Marketing Specialist 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 May - August 2025. Hours: 20-40 hours per week. 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.

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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.

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K-8 Science Curriculum and Assessment

Project Description: Interns will work with Smithsonian Science Education Center curriculum developers to assist in the development of K-8 curriculum and assessments aligned to the Next Generation Science standards. Interns will learn how to apply knowledge of science content, research, and pedagogy to assist in developing high-quality resources for teaching and learning. Learning objectives include:

  • Assist in the development of upper elementary assessment items aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Assist in the development of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom Middle School units. This task may include writing, editing, and proofreading as part of a team of writers, editors, education specialists, and scientists.
  • Assist in identifying science research and Smithsonian connections that can be integrated into middle school curriculum and assessments.
  • Helping to test and troubleshoot new phenomenon and problem-based activities as they are developed.

Candidates should have strong writing skills, skills in independent research, and the ability to communicate professionally with experts. Candidates should have experience/interest in science education and knowledge of the Next Generation Science Standards.

Interns will be mentored by the Manager and Senior Science Curriculum Developer of the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom team and will receive feedback and guidance on their writing, research, and other content creation.

This will be a virtual internship that can be flexible and should occur over an ten-week period between May – August 2025.  Hours: 25-35 hours per week. We accept college undergraduate or graduate students (graduate students preferred). We encourage both US-based and international candidates to apply. Stipends will be available.

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Leadership for Change Intern

The Smithsonian Science Education Center will host a Leadership for Change intern. Please note that this is a separate internship program managed by the Smithsonian Affiliations office in collaboration with a network of Smithsonian Affiliate organizations across the country as well as Smithsonian offices and museums in Washington, D.C. The Leadership for Change Internship is supported in part by generous individual donors. The learn more about this internship and to apply, please visit: https://affiliations.si.edu/leadership-for-change-internship/

 

 

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.