Please read the first two pages of the application in their entirety before beginning your application. On these pages, you will find information about essential dates and internship requirements. 

About the Children's Science Center Lab Internship: 

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation, dba Children's Science Center Lab, conducts internship and youth leadership programs for students to learn professional skills, gain practical work experience, and demonstrate the importance of providing fun and accessible, hands-on STEM experiences to children. As we are committed to addressing inequities in STEM, this internship is intended to provide an opportunity to communities who have been historically excluded in STEM professions, as defined in the requirements section of this application. 

The Children’s Science Center Lab, is seeking six (6) adaptable, energetic, creative, articulate, dynamic, dependable and highly motivated individuals to join our team in the role of Lab Intern. Interns will work alongside STEM Educators supporting hands-on and exploratory activities throughout the Lab. Interns will gain valuable skills through hands-on experience and by participating in professional development sessions. In addition, interns will gain skills in collaboration, professionalism, public speaking, organizational skills, customer service, and more.

Intern Responsibilities:

Interns will:

• Greet visitors in a friendly and positive way; respond to questions and needs in a positive and supportive manner;
• Learn about museum program activities and exhibits, and display competency in STEM topics demonstrated in activities and exhibits; be able to answer questions about the activity or topic; facilitate educational activities; participate in science demonstrations (training provided); be an ambassador to the public at all times;
• Set up activities and activity spaces and follow the established guidelines and schedule for activities;
• Maintain control of event space and visitors/students;
• Make safety a priority;
• Actively engage the audience;
• Help with basic facility maintenance to ensure a clean and attractive environment; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal intern candidate will:

• Understand and communicate the mission and vision of the Children’s Science Center;
• Possess a “can do” attitude with a “will do” work ethic;
• Demonstrate interest in elementary education, STEM subjects, and/or informal education;
• Have excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills;
• Have a passion for working with elementary-aged students;
• Engage effectively with various ages and groups of individuals including children, parents and/or guardians, STEM mentors, and general audiences;
• Be detail-oriented and a quick and independent learner; and
  Have excellent communication and audience interaction skills.

Requirements:

Interns must be:

• 16 years or older;
• Enrolled in one of the Partner Schools from the drop down list;
• In good academic standing;
• Available for orientation and a 14-week weekend internship at the Children’s Science Center Lab located in the Fair Oaks Mall
  
  

Physical Demands of Job:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this internship. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions

Frequently required to:

• Speak and hear;
• Stand upright and/or walk on feet for up to five (5) hours at a time;
• Sit for up to five (5) hours at a time;
• Reach with arms and hands, including to raise arms overhead to move and lift up to thirty-five (35) pounds;
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl;
• Move or lift at least fifty (50) pounds from the ground;
• Use hands and digits to manipulate, handle, and feel.
• Vision abilities required by this internship include close vision (close vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Occasionally required to:

• Smell;
• Perform repetitive motions;
• Use eye, hand, and foot coordination.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this internship, the intern is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions and may be required to wear a protective lab coat, protective glasses, and/or protective gloves. Interns may be required to use chemicals with Material Safety Data Sheets provided. Interns may need to use very hot or very cold liquids. Interns may be required to utilize light tools and equipment to perform duties. The noise level in the internship environment is typically moderate to loud. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the internship.

Internship Overview:

This internship is 14 weeks long with a mandatory orientation. The internship takes place at the Children's Science Center Lab at the Fair Oaks Mall. To successfully complete the program, interns must work a total of 140 hours. Each week, interns will work one weekend day, either Saturday or Sunday, at the Lab from 9:45 am-5:45 pm, complete weekly professional development assignments, and present a final project.

Interviews:

Selected applicants will be asked to attend an in-person interview at the Children Science Center Lab, 11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033. Unfortunately, virtual interviews are not possible. 

• Interview invitations will be sent by Thursday, December 18, 2025
• Interviews will take place on Thursday, January 8, 2026: 6:00pm-8:00pm
  • Snow Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 6:00pm-8:00pm

Mandatory Orientation:

Applicants selected for the internship are required to attend orientation. Orientation will take place on Sunday, January 18, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This training will be held in person at the Children's Science Center Lab, 11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033.

Stipend:

Upon successful completion of the internship, interns will receive a stipend of $1,680. Travel stipends are available at the start of the internship for interns who request them. 

To Apply:

Applications are due by 5:00 pm on November 21, 2025. Before you begin your application, please ensure you are available for the internship dates. Additionally, have the following items ready:

• Resume
• Cover Letter 
• Answers to the following essay questions:
  • How would you define personal success in this role?
  • Tell us about a "lightbulb moment" you've had in your experience with STEM.

Need help writing a resume and cover letter? Check out our tips here.

Resumes and Cover letters must be submitted as PDF files. 

Using AI to generate answers to essay questions or your cover letter is highly discouraged. If an application is detected as AI-generated, you can be disqualified from the application process.

Demographic Questions

The following questions are optional and are used for collection purposes only. They have no bearing on selection.