Environmental Education Internship - Orlando Science Center
Environmental Education Internship
Summary/Objective:
The Life Department cares for the entirety of the animal collection housed at Orlando Science Center and is responsible for the care and welfare of the animal collection as well as the educational content and presentations conducted within the Life exhibit. Under the direction of the Curator of Conservation and Welfare and Animal Care Manager, the Environmental Education Intern will observe and assist with developing, coordinating, maintaining and evaluating educational programs, materials, and other related activities. Upon showing the skillset, the Environmental Education intern will aid in presenting educational programs and eventually run presentations on their own within exhibit spaces. This position does not include hands on animal handling or husbandry.
A $500.00 stipend will be paid upon the successful completion of the internship and interns will have the opportunity to receive benefits such as school credit and a free annual membership.
Essential Functions:
Note that essential functions include but are not limited to the following:
- Assist with all tasks involved with on-site environmental education programming. This may include assisting with exhibit interpretation, keeper talks, field trips, camps/groups, birthday parties and pop-up programs.
- Gather appropriate materials to assist with and facilitate programs on time and appropriately for the target audience
- Research appropriate information about specific species/habitats/conservation challenges related to the species held at OSC.
- Learn and execute conservation education/interpretation techniques. Interns will invest effort into developing their educational technique skills and focus on the concept of education as opposed to just reiterating factual knowledge.
- Assist with keeping any presented information (verbal, print, published, website, etc) up to date, accurate and accessible. Interns are expected to be knowledgeable about current events related to the topics that they will present on.
- Utilize microphones to present information to diverse audiences
- Evaluation and Feedback: Develop and participate in post-event assessments to continuously improve program quality.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the internship, the intern will:
- Independently conduct formal/informal programming within the Life exhibit
- Work as part of a team to conduct quality, educational conservation programming
- Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop a final project, consisting of a new conservation program to be utilized by future presenters. This includes the development of all associated materials, biofacts, handouts, etc. Final projects will have the ultimate goal of improving the conservation education program at Orlando Science Center.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Recent college graduate or currently enrolled student with two (2) or more years of college courses, preferable field of studies include Biology/Zoology, Conservation, Education, or STEM Curriculum.
Experience: Experience and/or interest in conservation education.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Responsible and reliable as an individual and team player
- Detail-oriented, ability to multitask and work independently
- Strong interpersonal skills, problem solving abilities and organization
- Positive, cheerful attitude
- Ability to work well with staff and guests
- Ability to think outside the box and contribute fresh ideas.
- Willingness to learn
- Readiness to be flexible and adaptable
- Working knowledge of basic computer programs (e.g., Microsoft 365 suite)
- Understands and supports the mission of the Orlando Science Center: to Inspire Science Learning for Life
Physical Demands:
- Standing for long periods of time.
- Able to lift 50 lbs
Expected Hours of Work:
One (1) semester of interning is available in the summer. The time commitment is a minimum of 18 hours per week. Weekend and holiday availability is required.
- Summer Duration: May 5, 2025 – August 11, 2025
Other Duties:
Please note this intern description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the intern for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The Orlando Science Center is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. It is the policy of the Orlando Science Center to provide equal opportunities to all interns and qualified applicants and to administer all aspects and conditions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected-class status.