Environmental Education Internship

Penn State University•University Park, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Environmental Education Interns become an integral part of the staff and participate in many aspects of the nature center’s operation. A two-week orientation and training period is followed by a variety of teaching opportunities in both day and residential settings. Interns develop and teach ecology-based lessons for K to 4th grade on and off site with our school day programming. At Outdoor School, a 4-day residential camp for local 5th grade students, interns become Learning Group Leaders for 2 to 3 weeks over the fall. In this role, interns facilitate hands-on lessons and guided exploration of the natural world, with a curriculum that supports the Pennsylvania education standards. Interns work with all ages and with a variety of groups, including public and private schools, organizations, clubs, and the public. Program areas provide each intern with an opportunity to work in planning, delivering, and evaluating the center’s educational and recreational offerings. Other opportunities include assisting with live animal training and care, working with volunteers, contributing to the center’s social media platforms, maintaining trails and restoring habitats, collecting and submitting data for citizen science projects and fostering sustainable initiatives at the center. Successful candidates have a strong desire to teach and share their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the natural world.

Requirements

Strong desire to teach and share knowledge of and enthusiasm for the natural world.
PA State Police Criminal Background Check
PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form
Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check

Nice To Haves

Background in education or the natural sciences is helpful but not necessary.

Responsibilities

Develop and teach ecology-based lessons for K to 4th grade on and off site with our school day programming.
Become Learning Group Leaders for 2 to 3 weeks over the fall at Outdoor School, a 4-day residential camp for local 5th grade students.
Facilitate hands-on lessons and guided exploration of the natural world.
Work with all ages and with a variety of groups, including public and private schools, organizations, clubs, and the public.
Work in planning, delivering, and evaluating the center’s educational and recreational offerings.
Assist with live animal training and care.
Work with volunteers.
Contribute to the center’s social media platforms.
Maintain trails and restore habitats.
Collect and submit data for citizen science projects.
Foster sustainable initiatives at the center.