The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation, which operates the Children's Science Center Lab at the Fair Oaks Mall, has created an internship program that focuses on developing youth who will become the region's future workforce in the long-term and contribute to educating the community now. Since 2015, the Children's Science Center's Youth Development Initiative has engaged over 380 high school and college-aged youth as interns in the Lab and community outreach programs.

The STEM Youth Development Internship is looking for six high school students interested in learning more about STEM. All applicants must be:

1. High School Students in good academic standing 
2. 16 years of age by January 1, 2023
3. Available for a 12-week, weekend program at the Children's Science Center Lab, located in the Fair Oaks Mall, from January 14 - April 2, 2022
4. Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by orientation date
5. Underrepresented in STEM. This can include women, persons with disabilities, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The benefits of participating in the internship include:

• Professional Skills Training - Students will develop and refine fundamental professional skills including collaboration, communication, project management, and professionalism. 
• Skills Practice and Implementation - Training alone is not sufficient to prepare students to be effective and productive members of a work team. STEM Youth Development Interns will gain hands-on, real-life experiences at the Children's Science Center Lab.
• Understanding  the responsibilities and expectations of a young professional.
• Understanding the culture and organizational structure of a business.
• Envision how academic knowledge is useful to an employer.

The STEM Youth Development internship includes a stipend of $1320 upon successful completion of the internship. 

COVID-19 NOTICE: The Children's Science Center Lab requires all staff and interns to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While the Children's Science Center Lab staff & interns will be vaccinated, guests visiting the lab may not be. STEM Youth Development Interns must be fully vaccinated by the orientation day to be eligible to participate in the internship program.

 

 

Mandatory Orientation:

Orientation will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. This training will be held in-person and is mandatory (Orientation date is subject to change). 

Internship Outline:

The STEM Youth Development Internship is a 12-week internship program that takes place on the weekends at the Children's Science Center Lab, located at the Fair Oaks Mall. Interns will be required to commit to 10 hours per week for a total of 120 hours. Each week interns will spend 2 hours at home developing presentations or working on their final presentation, and 8 hours on 1 weekend day, either Saturday or Sunday, working at the lab from 9:00am-5:00pm. 

Throughout the 12 weeks, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience working at the lab, as well as particpiating in professional skills trainings. Interns will also be required to occasionally develop an educational and engaging presentation that they will then present as part of our Lunch & Learn series.  Interns will also be required to present a final presentation on a topic that will be determined together, on their last day of the internship, April 2. More information regarding the final presentation will be made available to the selected interns within the first two weeks. 

Interiews:

Selected applicants will be asked to attend an in-person group interview at the Children's Science Center Lab. Applicants must make themselves available for one of the group interview times on the following days:

• Saturday December 17, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
• Sunday December 18, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

To Apply:

Applications are due by 5:00 pm on December 2, 2022. Before you begin your application, please ensure you are available from January 14, 2022 through April 2, 2023 in order to successfully complete the internship. Additionally, have the following items ready:

• Resume
• Cover Letter 

You will not be able to submit an application without uploading a Resume and Cover Letter. Resume and Cover Letter must be submitted as pdf files. 

The following questions are optional and are used for collection purposes only. They will not be used in the decision making process.

The following page is the Parent/Guardian confirmation and must be filled out by them. Please direct them to complete, sign, and date the confirmation page. Once they complete the Parent/Guardian page, your application will be ready for submission.