Summer INTERNSHIP– Appalshop Educational Resource Development Intern

University of Pikeville•Pikeville, KY

1d•$9•Hybrid

About The Position

This internship is designed for upper-level undergraduates or graduate students, ideally with a background in education, curriculum development, or media studies. The intern will develop educational materials, including study guides, discussion prompts, and lesson plans for Appalshop’s most popular and widely-used films in academic settings. These resources will be tailored to different educational levels – elementary, middle, high school, and collegiate – to enhance the use of Appalshop’s films as learning tools. Organization Description Appalshop is an arts and culture center located in Whitesburg, KY. Since 1969, they have been producing films, plays, and radio about the Central Appalachian Region. Appalshop houses the world's largest collection of Appalachian materials in their Archive. Appalshop began in 1969 as part of the War on Poverty during Lyden B. Johnson's presidency. The goal was to train low-income youth in media. The expectation was that they would move away and use these skills to find work. Instead, they stayed and made Appalshop what it is today.

Requirements

A current UPIKE student with interest/major/minor in Education, Film & Media Arts, Communications, or relevant field.
Ideally, background in education, curriculum development, or media studies.
Strong writing, research, and organizational skills.
Experience in lesson planning or working with educational frameworks is preferred.
Ability to analyze media and extract key themes for academic use.
Interest in Appalachian culture, history, and social issues is a plus
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Able to meet deadlines.
Comfortable working both independently and in a team environment.
Must be able to manage stress, stay focused, and maintain professionalism in various situations.
Access to a reliable laptop or desktop with internet access is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in lesson planning or working with educational frameworks is preferred.
Interest in Appalachian culture, history, and social issues is a plus

Responsibilities

Watch and analyze select films commonly used in educational settings.
Develop comprehensive study guides that outline key themes, historical context, and essential questions.
Create adaptable lesson plans with activities, discussion prompts, and assessment ideas suitable for various age groups.
Draft discussion guides that encourage critical thinking and deeper engagement with the film’s content.
Tailor materials to suit elementary, middle, high school, and collegiate levels by adjusting the complexity of language and activities.
Ensure guides align with educational standards where applicable, making the materials accessible and relevant for educators.
Format all guides and lesson plans into a standardized, user-friendly template.
Provide digital versions for easy distribution to educators and online users.
Collaborate with Appalshop staff to identify priority films for resource development, focusing on titles frequently requested by schools and institutions.
Research supplemental resources that could enhance lesson plans, including relevant readings, activities, or community engagement opportunities.
Develop 1-2 study guides/lesson plans per month based on project timelines.
Submit regular progress reports and participate in feedback sessions to refine materials.