Become an Intern at The Discovery Museums!

Are you a college undergraduate or graduate student looking for a dynamic, hands-on internship?  Are you a professional thinking about shifting or switching career tracks? Join our energetic staff in any department to find out how an inquiry-based science and children’s museum works!

Internship Expectations

A Discovery Museums internship lasts between 50-200 hours, depending on the requirements of your academic institution.  Interns will be required to meet with their mentors to agree on the duration of the internship, the intern’s working schedule, and the goals of the internship, which may culminate in a final project.  Regardless of the department in which the intern completes his or her project, the internship will also involve some hours observing other departments in order to gain an understanding of the museum as a whole.

How to Apply

To apply for an internship, please send us a cover letter detailing:

• Your interest in the museum
• What you are hoping to gain from an internship
• Which department(s)/position(s) are of interest

We'll also need a resume, college transcript (unofficial is fine) and a summary of the internship requirements from your academic institution.  We will contact you by phone or email to set up an interview.  At the interview you will be asked to provide three references, either professional or academic. Please send information to: volunteers@discoverymuseums.org
Or
Neil Gordon
CEO The Discovery Museums
177 Main St. Acton, MA 01720
*If you are sending paper copies, please send two of each requested document. It is possible that not all positions will be open at the time of your application.  If you have questions, please call 978-264-4200 x 22 or email volunteers@discoverymuseums.org.

Internship Benefits

Internships are great opportunities to develop your skills, make contacts, and build your resume.  Though the museum is currently unable to offer any paying internships, there are tangible benefits to being an intern beyond the academic credit you may receive:

• Free admission for you and your guest(s) to The Discovery Museums
• Discounted and free admission to local museums and cultural institutions in the Boston area
• Discounts in the museum store
• Invitations to special events

Education

Interns in the education department will be involved in the daily operation of the museum, interacting with the public, assisting or planning public programs, and working ‘behind the scenes’ with education staff to develop new activities and maintain current exhibits and programs.
Fall/Spring: Interns during the fall or spring semesters will also gain experience working with school groups during our field trip season.
Summer: Interns during the summer will work with our visiting camp and summer school groups, and may also be invited to work with the museum teachers for our Summer Discoveries or Summer Scientists programs.

Potential Independent Projects:

• Public program series: repeated presentation of one public program or a set of up to three related thematic programs (examples: art in science, chemistry of everyday things, or nature jewelry)
• Design an ‘interpretation box’ which complements or supplements a current exhibit which can be used by an explorer with visitors on the exhibit floor.  Test and evaluate this activity and train other explorers how to use it. Evaluate current programs or exhibits and present findings to the education staff.
• Work closely with Education staff to design an ‘exploration’ for school group visits.  This ties into state curriculum frameworks and extends the visit for (usually) elementary school audiences using museum exhibits and extra materials selected specifically for this theme.  Current explorations at the Science building include Atmosphere, Magnets, Light and Color, and Sound.

• Assist in the development/teaching of the Summer Discoveries programs for children ages 4-6 or Summer Scientists, for grades 2-5.

Exhibits and Facilities

Interns in the exhibits and facilities department will learn about the design and maintenance of hands-on exhibits built with everyday materials.  Interns may also have the opportunity to work closely with our exhibits and education departments to design new exhibit pieces either in the museum buildings or on the museum grounds.

Visitor Services

Interns in visitor services will gain experience working with the scheduling of groups, birthday parties and functions, an understanding of and familiarity with admissions and membership procedures, and the running of the museum store.  Interns will work with the visitor services and education departments to help provide the best experience for groups and general public.
Potential Independent Projects:

• Gathering and cross referencing scheduling and visitation data to develop visitation reports
• Developing a Reports Manual for basic directions for commonly run or reoccurring reports
• Updating the group confirmation packet information (text and design for Word Documents)

Development

Interns in the development department will gain experience in aspects of marketing, membership, and fundraising.  This may involve audience research, responding to visitor concerns, and maintaining the member database.  Excellent written communication skills are a must.

Business

Interns in the business department will learn about the financial backbone of a small non-profit institution.
Potential Independent Projects:

• Develop a database in Microsoft Access to update the museums’ tracking and records for Schools and Outreach or for Employee Management.