Person creating science presentation poster

Internships

Not your grandma’s internship.

Forget making coffee and running errands. Our internships are built with you and your professional goals in mind.

Tell me more.

Our program is competitive, but we’re eager to hear from you. Internships are unpaid and are typically a twelve-week commitment.

Hoping to get credit? Contact your advisor or department chair to inquire about your school's policy and procedures for awarding credit for internships.

Teenager with poster presentation

Current Internship Openings

Internship openings for the Fall 2017 term will be available starting August 15th. If you have any questions or comments about available positions, or would like to suggest a new position, please call Volunteer Services at (503) 239-7814 or email us at VolunteerServices@omsi.edu

Museum Education: Center for Innovation

 

Position Summary:

 

Museum Education interns are in the halls and labs of OMSI where they facilitate hands-on science experiences and inspire museum guests to make amazing connections with science through activities, demonstrations, and informal interactions. Interns assist Museum Education staff in the regular presentation and development of the museum halls and labs.

 

This position is for the Center for Innovation (C4I) and reports to the Turbine Hall Assistant Manager. OMSI’s Center for Innovation is a new area of the museum where guests participate in Design Challenges—activities where they design and test solutions to solve personal, local, and global challenges. As an intern in this area, you will primarily facilitate these hands-on Design Challenges with visitors of all ages. You may also participate in helping to design, develop, test, and evaluate prototype activities.

 

 

Experiences the internship will provide:

·         Facilitating design and engineering processes through hands-on activities, as well as facilitating other interactions, with museum guests of all ages

·         Working in a collaborative environment with paid and unpaid staff of a variety of ages, experiences, and backgrounds

·         Insight and participation in Design Challenge development and prototyping

 

 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

What we are looking for:

  • Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills
  • Self-directed and willing to take initiative
  • Creative, imaginative, and collaborative
  • Desire and/or ability to present science, design, and engineering processes and content in an engaging way to a broad age range
  • Present a professional personal appearance
  • Must be dependable, punctual, and willing to commit to a schedule

 

Training you will receive:

  • General informal science education philosophies and pedagogy
  • Facilitation best practices, including how to facilitate intergenerational communication, frame questions, gauge and respond to guests’ social and educational goals, and cultivate learner-driven investigations
  • Culturally responsive facilitation strategies
  • Museum safety and emergency response
  • General interactive exhibit and activity development skills and practices

 

 

Schedule:

  • Schedule depends on needs of the lab or hall, but will be regular and predictable week to week.
  • Minimum of 8 hours per week for at least 12 weeks.
  • Since the museum is open Tuesdays-Sundays during the school year, our preference is for weekend and weekday availability, particularly Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

 

 

Learning Outcomes:

  • Recognizing and promoting of science process skills in informal education
  • Fostering learner-driven investigations
  • Negotiating facilitator and visitor goals
  • Cultivating reflective facilitation practices
  • Supporting culturally responsive facilitation techniques
  • Identifying benefits and disadvantages of using different types of objects and models in learning experiences
  • Gaining knowledge of museum culture and practices
Museum Education: Chemistry Lab

Position Summary:

 

Museum Education interns are in the halls and labs of OMSI where they facilitate hands-on science experiences and inspire museum guests to make amazing connections with science through activities, demonstrations, and informal interactions. Interns assist Museum Education staff in the presentation and development of the museum halls and labs.

 

This summer internship position is for the Chemistry Lab and reports to the Chemistry Lab Coordinator and/or Turbine Hall Assistant Manager. OMSI’s Chemistry Lab is the first hands-on wet chemistry lab experience in a science museum in the nation. Visitors to the lab put on goggles and explore a variety of phenomena in chemistry using actual chemistry tools and chemicals. Topics change weekly, ensuring a dynamic experience for staff and guests alike!

 

Experiences the internship will provide:

  • Facilitate hands-on chemistry activities and interactions with museum guests of all ages
  • Work in a collaborative environment with paid and unpaid staff of a variety of ages, experiences, and backgrounds
  • Prepare mixtures and solutions for lab and guest use
  • Develop hands-on, interactive chemistry activities that align with this year’s National Chemistry Week theme
  • Participate in creation or update of programs – selected based on intern interest - that will continue to be used in the Chemistry Lab over the next several years

 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

 

What we are looking for:

  • Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills
  • Self-directed and willing to take initiative
  • Desire and/or ability to present science process and content in an engaging way to a broad age range
  • Present a professional personal appearance
  • Must be dependable, punctual, and willing to commit to a schedule
  • Interest in chemistry and science education
  • Basic familiarity and comfort with chemical handling and chemical safety

 

Training you will receive:

  • General informal science education philosophies and pedagogy
  • Facilitation best practices, including how to facilitate intergenerational communication, frame questions, gauge and respond to guests’ social and educational goals, cultivate learner-driven investigations, and practice reflective facilitation
  • Culturally responsive facilitation strategies
  • Museum safety and emergency response
  • Chemical handling and hazard communication

 

Schedule:

  • Schedule depends on needs of the lab or hall, but will be regular and predictable week to week.
  • Minimum of 8 hours per week for at least 12 weeks.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

  • Recognizing and promoting of science process skills
  • Fostering learner-driven investigations
  • Negotiating facilitator and visitor goals
  • Cultivating reflective facilitation practices
  • Supporting culturally responsive facilitation techniques
  • Identifying benefits and disadvantages of using different types of objects and models in learning experiences
  • Gaining knowledge of museum culture and practices
  • Designing, testing, and delivering hands-on, chemistry activities

 

Photos of the Work Area:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Museum Education: Early Childhood Strategic Priority Internship

Position Summary:

 

Museum Education interns are in the halls and labs of OMSI where they facilitate hands-on science experiences and inspire museum guests to make amazing connections with science through activities, demonstrations, and informal interactions. Interns assist Museum Education staff in the regular maintenance, upkeep, and development of the museum halls and labs.

 

This position is for the Early Childhood Strategic Priority; the intern will report to the Early Childhood Education Assistant Manager, and will focus primarily on logistics related to opening and early functioning of the new ECE space in the Center for Innovation. The Early Childhood Strategic Priority Intern will assist Museum Education staff across three main time-bound phases and one overarching goal:

·         Phase 1: research new ECE spaces in other orgs, gather information, and compile lessons learned that will inform the opening of our space

·         Phase 2: plan and launch the new space, including special event(s), programming, staffing, loose parts, signage and other needs.

·         Phase 3: transition new space into final “Play Labs” adventure, testing a temporary experience in the new space.

·         Across all phases: Documentation of opening new space, including: process, resources, challenges, partnerships, etc.

 

 

Experiences the internship will provide:

  • Planning hands-on early science learning activities and interactions for museum guests of all ages.
  • Working in a collaborative environment with paid and unpaid staff of a variety of ages, experiences, institutions, and backgrounds.
  • Assist in the development, presentation and resetting of daily activities in new ECE space.
  • Interact with a wide age range of visitors to help them explore and learn from experiences in new space.
  • Learn and practice informal education approaches.
  • Work alongside ECE and OMSI staff and volunteers.

 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

What we are looking for:

  • Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
  • Interest and/or experience in early childhood education and child development.
  • Must be able to bend and stoop as needed to maintain integrity, appearance, and safety of the area.
  • Ability to take initiative and seek out resources.
  • Eager to present science process and content in an engaging way to young children.
  • Interest in early childhood education and child development; ability to learn and communicate these topics to adult audiences.
  • Must be dependable, punctual, and willing to commit to a regular schedule.
  • Must present a professional personal appearance.
  • Working toward a degree in early childhood education, child development, psychology, education, or science with college coursework in early childhood education.
  • Experience working with the public and/or young children highly desirable.
  • Experience working with the public in formal or informal educational settings highly desired

 

Training you will receive:

  • Background on OMSI’s ECE vision and strategic initiative work
  • General informal science education philosophies and pedagogy
  • Facilitation best practices, including how to facilitate intergenerational communication, frame questions, gauge and respond to guests’ social and educational goals, and cultivate learner-driven investigations
  • Culturally responsive facilitation strategies
  • Museum safety and emergency response
  • Customer Service
  • Best practices in Informal Education
  • Best practices in early childhood education in an informal setting.

 

 

Schedule:

·         Minimum of 8 hours per week for at least 12 weeks.

·    Our preference is for both weekend and weekday availability.

 

 

Learning Outcomes:

  • Gaining knowledge of museum processes and procedures, including connections with other informal learning institutions.
  • Ability to plan for and facilitate adult-child interactions that support positive early learning experiences.
  • Exposure to foundational and cutting-edge developmental research to inform educational knowledge and practice.
  • Working knowledge of best practices in early childhood education in an informal setting.
  • Increased comfort and ability in assessing young visitors’ developmental level and adapting interactions to meet them.
  • Opportunity to practice cross-cultural communication with both OMSI guests and staff.
  • Gain knowledge of museum culture and practices.
Museum Education: Featured Exhibit Hall

Position Summary:

Museum Education interns are in the halls and labs of OMSI where they facilitate hands-on science experiences. Interns inspire museum guests to make amazing connections with science through activities, demonstrations, and informal interactions. Interns assist Museum Education staff in the regular presentation and development of the museum halls and labs.

 

This position is for the Featured Exhibit Hall and reports to the Featured Hall Assistant Manager. The Featured Exhibit Hall displays international touring exhibits on loan to OMSI for short engagements.  These short-term exhibits introduce visitors to a wide range of topics, from music to mummies! Interns primarily facilitate visitor learning experiences through informal interactions, demonstrations, and activities. At the supervisor’s discretion, some of the intern’s time may be spent on special projects.

 

This fall, OMSI is hosting The Discovery of King Tut in the Featured Exhibit Hall.

 

 

Experiences the internship will provide:

  • Facilitating hands-on activities and interactions with a diverse public
  • Working in a collaborative environment with paid and unpaid staff of a variety of ages, experiences, and backgrounds
  • Gaining confidence in public speaking and communication with a diverse public
  • Completion of project work related to current or upcoming Featured Exhibits

 

 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

What we are looking for:

  • Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills
  • Self-direction and willingness to take initiative
  • Ability to present science process and content in an engaging way to a diverse public
  • Professional personal appearance
  • Must be dependable, punctual, and willing to commit to a schedule
  • Excitement about King Tut and archaeology

 

Training you will receive:

  • General informal science education philosophies and pedagogy
  • Facilitation best practices, including how to facilitate intergenerational communication, frame questions, gauge and respond to guests’ social and educational goals, and cultivate learner-driven investigations
  • Culturally responsive facilitation strategies
  • Museum safety and emergency response
  • King Tut specific staff training

 

Schedule:

  • Your schedule will depend on the needs of the hall, but will be regular and predictable
  • Minimum of 8 hours per week for approximately 12 weeks
  • Our preference is for both weekend and weekday availability

 

 

Learning Outcomes:

  • Confidence speaking and interacting with a diverse public
  • Knowledge of museum processes and procedures
  • Recognizing and promoting science process skills
  • Fostering learner-driven investigations
  • Supporting culturally responsive facilitation techniques
  • Identifying benefits and disadvantages of using different types of teaching tools
  • Negotiating facilitator and visitor goals for optimal museum experience
  • Cultivating reflective facilitation practices

 

 

Photos of the Work Area:

Please see The Discovery of King Tut website to view photos of the exhibit at previous museums:

http://www.premierexhibitions.com/exhibitions/13/13/discovery-king-tut

Museum Internships

Forget making coffee and running errands. Our internships are built with you and your professional goals in mind.

Our program is competitive, but we’re eager to hear from you. Internships are unpaid and are typically a twelve-week commitment.

Hoping to get credit? Contact your advisor or department chair to inquire about your school's policy and procedures for awarding credit for internships.

Check out our current internship opportunities:

Ready to apply?

Submit your application online!

Apply Now

OMSI volunteer showing an insect to two children

Feeling creative? Propose an internship.

How? Send a letter of interest describing your goals—including your desired time commitment and a proposed schedule—along with your resume and internship application. We will contact you from there.

Work Study Program

Transformative Learning with OMSI

Were you awarded a federal work-study award in your financial aid package?

OMSI is partnered with numerous colleges and universities in the Portland metropolitan area and beyond. Check if your school is one of OMSI’s current partners! We have a wide-range of work-study opportunities serving students with professional and impactful avenues to engage in experiential and community-based learning.

Our Partners

  • Portland State University
  • Reed College
  • Pacific University
  • Lewis & Clark College
  • Portland Community College
  • Mount Hood Community College
  • University of Portland
  • Art Institute of Portland
  • Eastern Oregon University
  • Clackamas Community College

 

Our work-study students engage the museum in a diverse set of ways; check out our opportunities in our seven departments which offer transformational engagement experiences to students – giving back to the community. OMSI can provide a positive and engaging avenue to your education and career development.

 

The avenues are limitless!

Check out our currently available work-study opportunities:

Ready to apply?

Submit your application online!

Apply Now

Have what it takes? Apply now.

Download our application, and send it with a current resume and cover letter to us.

OMSI Volunteer Services
1945 SE Water Avenue
Portland, OR 97214

VolunteerServices@omsi.edu

Apply Now

Tip! Your cover letter serves as a writing sample to demonstrate your communication skills. Consider including the following:

  • What interests you about the internship?
  • What skills, knowledge, and experiences are you bringing?
  • What do you hope to learn or gain from your internship? This might include earning academic credit, gaining professional experience, or exploring career options

Timing is everything.

Positions may open at any time, and we accept applications until they are filled. Interested in Science Education and Early Childhood Education internships? They have specific deadlines, so mark your calendar. 

Season

Fall

Winter/Spring

Summer

Application Deadline

September 20

January 1

April 7

Notification Date

October 1

January 15

April 28

Now Hiring Work Study!

We hire college students who have been awarded Federal Work-Study funding as part of their financial aid package for paid positions in Science Education. Interested? 

Let's Talk