Summer Youth Research, Development, And Evaluation Intern (2024)

Summer Youth Research, Development, and Evaluation Intern

Museum of Science, Boston

www.mos.org

Program Description:

This internship experience is offered through the Research & Development department, in the Museum's Exhibits, Research, and Collections division. The Research & Development department integrates current science research topics into the museum experience by conducting studies to better understand how people learn when they visit science museums, and by applying what we learn in these studies to create fun, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences for people of all ages.

The Research & Development department also oversees the Museum's Living Laboratory initiative, in which museum staff collaborate with scientists from across Greater Boston to offer museum guests the opportunity to participate in cognitive and behavioral science research studies as part of their museum visit. Through Living Laboratory, the department offers professional development that supports our research collaborators to communicate their research methods and findings to the public in effective and meaningful ways.

Interns in this department assist the team by contributing to both the creation and Evaluation of new exhibits, programs, or online resources across a variety of current science topics.

Position Summary:

The Summer Youth Research, Development and Evaluation Internship (6 Openings) provides training and practical experience in science research, science education, and science communication. Interns will contribute to projects related to the creation of new Museum experiences (e.g. exhibits, programs, digital offerings), through researching science topics, developing educational content, and testing prototypes with visitors. They will also contribute to research efforts that further understanding of Museum visitors' experiences by interfacing directly with the public, recruiting museum visitors to participate in studies, assisting in data collection, and educating visitors about the museum's ongoing research initiatives. Interns will work closely with a team of research, development, evaluation, and education professionals dedicated to creating fun and engaging exhibit-based science learning experiences for the public.

Responsibilities:

• Develop familiarity with best practices in science research, science communication, and science education that are relevant to the current work of the department
• Assist in developing and testing new educational offerings that support science learning through exhibits, programs, or online resources
• Contribute to on-going research and Evaluation projects by recruiting visitors to participate in studies, supporting data collection and analysis, and discussing study questions and methods with visitors
• Engage visitors to the Museum's exhibit halls in hands-on activities that share findings generated through the museum's research and Evaluation work
• Assist in developing and testing new educational strategies, including those that support visitors' science learning through exhibits

Basic Qualifications:

• We have 6 openings for this position.
• Currently enrolled in high school or an equivalent educational program and between the ages of 14 years old -19 years old
• Demonstrated interest in science research, science communication, and/or science education
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Demonstrated interest in supporting environments that promote diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic group setting
• Highly motivated, dependable and flexible
• Attention to detail

Special Skills:

• Spanish language skills (written and/or verbal)
• Demonstrated experience interacting with people from a diverse range of racial and ethnic identities, genders, and abilities

Program Commitment:

• • Location: Roles will be in-person only.
  • Length of the youth internship program:7-week program (between Monday, July 1 - Monday, August 19, 2024)
    • Candidates are allowed to miss three (3) consecutive workdays during the program with approval from their intern supervisor

Role-Specific Work Schedule:

21 hours/week, (3 days, 9am-5pm). Interns have a one-hour, unpaid lunch break each day. One of the days must be a weekend day (Saturday or Sunday).

Salary:

• All Summer Youth internship positions pay $15.00/hour

Benefits:

• Free admission and access to the Museum of Science's Exhibit halls and venues.
• Discounts in our Museum's store and cafe.
• Reciprocity to other cultural institutions
• Commuter-friendly location (our E-line stop is just across the street!)

The Museum of Science is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

No phone inquiries, please. Qualified applicants will be contacted within two to four weeks of initial application.