Internship Program Overview

The STEM Educator Intern plays an active role in delivering dynamic, hands-on learning experiences for diverse audiences. This volunteer position supports science labs, design challenges, and gallery facilitation while gaining practical experience in informal STEM education, youth engagement, and program facilitation. Interns develop teaching, communication, and operational skills in a fast-paced environment dedicated to inspiring curiosity and innovation. 

This is an unpaid learning opportunity designed to provide practical experience in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach hands-on science labs using provided lesson plans on topics including physics, chemistry, engineering, and design.
• Adapt instruction for different age groups and varied learning styles.
• Occasionally facilitate highly interactive experiences on the gallery floor.
• Prepare, maintain, and reset science lab classrooms and materials for daily programs, including cleaning, organizing, restocking supplies, and maintaining inventory.
• Facilitate positive group dynamics, collaboration, and student engagement.
• Participate in staff training, meetings, and team activities.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience teaching or working with youth in formal or informal educational settings.
• Ability to communicate scientific and technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences with varying levels of prior knowledge.
• Comfort adapting to changing environments and audiences, including adjusting pace and content in real time.
• Must be currently pursuing a BA/BS in education, science, engineering, or related field.
• Experience with hands-on, cooperative learning strategies strongly preferred.
• Multilingual skills are a plus.

Learning Outcomes

• Career & Self-Development / Leadership
  Interns will facilitate inclusive, design-based learning experiences for diverse audiences, demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and leadership in educational settings.
• Communication
  Interns will apply effective verbal, nonverbal, and listening skills to engage visitors and collaborate with colleagues in a dynamic, public-facing environment.
• Teamwork
  Interns will collaborate with staff and volunteers and contribute to training and onboarding activities, demonstrating accountability, cooperation, and shared responsibility.
• Critical Thinking / Professionalism
  Interns will identify operational or visitor-experience challenges and propose improvements to exhibits or programs, demonstrating sound judgment, professionalism, and problem-solving skills.

Schedule & Commitment

• 2 days a week from Wednesday - Friday, 8:45 am – 3:00 pm
• • Additional optional weekend hours may be available pending operational need. 
• 14-weeks, August 17  - December 11 (off during Thanksgiving week) 
• Active role requiring standing, movement, and lifting materials up to 25 lbs

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) at The Tech

Our success is dependent on building teams that include people from different backgrounds and experiences who challenge each other’s assumptions with fresh perspectives. To that end, we look for a diverse pool of applicants including but not limited to those from historically marginalized groups — women, people with disabilities, people of color, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or nonconforming, veterans, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Tech will provide an equal opportunity in recruitment and employment to all individuals and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Any applicant with a disability may contact The Tech Interactive to arrange for accommodations. Please contact the Tech at careers@thetech.org or call (408) 795-6248.