Education Intern
Internship Summary
The Education Department is seeking three applicants in their junior or senior years or enrolled in a graduate program in the fields of education, museum education, or public history to assist in development and implementation of the museum’s summer camp curriculum. The Education Interns will conduct research on New England history from Indigenous habitation to the modern era and incorporate that knowledge into engaging lesson plans, games, and activities for campers that range in age from 6-17.
Interns take on leadership roles and are expected to plan and lead group lessons and activities within the camp curriculum. The program highly emphasizes New England history, acting skills, and active learning environments.
Interns will get to know the engaging stories and history behind the museum’s historic houses and the historic seaport town of Portsmouth, NH.
Upon completion of the 10-week internship, the Education Interns will also have extensive experience and knowledge of:
- Camp curriculum development and lesson planning;
- Group lesson facilitation for campers ranging in age from 6-17;
- The dynamics of a small Museum education department and team
Interns will also have the opportunity to conduct informational interviews with other Museum staff outside of the department they are interning with.
Duties and Responsibilities
Interns will help research and develop lesson plans and provide teaching support to camp leaders and assistants. Interns will be expected to:
- Research various aspects of history, usually related to Portsmouth/New England;
- Develop lesson plans to be taught during the 2026 summer camp program;
- Assist camp staff with group management and hands-on activities;
- Teach lessons during summer camps to kids ages 6 – 17;
- Participate in weekly team meetings and trainings
- Supervise campers during extended-care hours on a rotating basis
Please note on your application if you are interested in working with a particular age group (early elementary, high school, etc.) or if you have special skills/interests/talents (acting, music, knowledge in a particular area, etc.).
Qualifications
- Must be enrolled as a current undergraduate or graduate student in good standing or have just graduated in order to be eligible for an internship.
- Interns are an integral part of a successful camp; therefore, applicants must be extremely reliable and accountable.
- Candidates must be enthusiastic and enjoy interacting, teaching, and playing with large groups of children in both indoor and outdoor environments.
- This position requires the ability to adapt to a changing environment.
- Candidates must have a positive attitude, strong motivation, and high energy.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Interest in acting, theater, role playing, or improvisation is desirable.
- Must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Requirements:
- Work entails moving around the 10-acre site, for extended periods of time outdoors in all weather conditions. Must be able to bend, stoop, and kneel, and must be able to lift/carry moderate weight.
Requirements of all Strawbery Banke Museum Staff:
SBM is committed to fostering a workplace that is truly equitable, inclusive, and accessible for a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and visitors. As such, it is an essential requirement that every SBM staff member:
- Exhibit a positive, collegial attitude and ability to work cooperatively with others at all levels of the organization including direct reports, colleagues, supervisor, volunteers, and visitors of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds;
- Actively contribute to an organizational culture of empathy, dignity, trust, and respect. Each person at SBM agrees to proactively prevent and address issues such as unconscious bias, harassment, gender disparity, racial inequity, political divisiveness, and barriers to accessibility; and
- Foster inclusive and engaging interactions, accommodate safety and comfort needs and requests, and to provide the best visitor experience possible. Staff members equally share the responsibility of immediately addressing a deficiency, and/or, notifying the appropriate department or supervisor to address any situations.
Optional Housing
Optional on-site housing is provided in Hough House for interns who need housing.
Hough House is open to all interns regardless of sex or age. While the common areas in Hough are co-ed, the bedrooms are single-sex based on the gender with which each intern identifies, and interns should expect to have a roommate for the duration of their stay in Hough House.
About Strawbery Banke Museum
Strawbery Banke Museum is a 10-acre living history museum located in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. The museum interprets daily life in the same historic waterfront neighborhood over 300+ years, making the 37 historic buildings accessible to a wide range of visitors one of our primary goals. Strawbery Banke hosts an ever-growing number of special events and programs throughout the year. Seasonal and holiday signature events are time-honored traditions that help make Portsmouth the vibrant destination it is. Strawbery Banke is continually ranked as TripAdvisor’s #1 “Thing to do in Portsmouth”, Yankee Magazine Editors’ Choice: Best of New England Classics “Best Historic Village” and the 2020 Best of the Seacoast in the Entertainment & Leisure category for Best Group Event/Tour/Activity.