Museum Education Intern

Museum Education Internship

Interested candidates must apply through the Commonwealth of Virginia job website, which can be accessed via https://jobs.virginia.gov/

Overview

Are you passionate about the natural world? Are you fascinated by animal behavior, biology, and survival strategies? Are you someone who enjoys engaging with people and facilitating learning? Then apply to join our Museum Education team to help inspire guests to enrich their lives through our permanent exhibits and our summer touring exhibition, Survival of the Slowest!

Job Description

All Summer Interns will gain exposure to a wide selection of museum career opportunities. The Museum Education Intern will gain experience and skills key to careers in education, museums, or the non-profit world, including activity development, informal education techniques for all age groups, and education department operations.

During the summer of 2026, the Science Museum of Virginia will be hosting a touring exhibition titled Survival of the Slowest, on display May 23–September 7, 2026. This live-animal exhibition explores how species often perceived as slow, small, or weak use unique adaptations and trade-offs to survive and thrive in the natural world.

Working with their mentor, the Museum Education Intern will develop and complete a project to support learning experiences about biology, animals, or ecology at the Museum. The intern will learn best practices for gallery interpretation by staffing Survival of the Slowest as well as other permanent exhibitions, engaging guests in conversations about adaptation, evolution, and real-world biology.

Internship activities will include meetings with Museum senior leaders, direct work experience, professional development, participation in career exploration presentations focused on science and museum careers, and networking opportunities.

Opportunities for Professional Development

Interns will complete a project based on their interests. Projects could include (but are not limited to):

• Developing hands-on animal themed activities for museum guests to be used after the Survival of the Slowest exhibition concludes
• Creating interpretive resources related to animal behavior, adaptation, and survival strategies for staff and volunteers
• Developing family-friendly gallery guides or activity materials focused on live animals, camouflage, energy conservation, or ecological trade-offs
• Other related projects based on the candidate’s interests and talents

Minimum Qualifications

• Interns must be at least 18 years of age and be enrolled as college undergraduates or graduate students
• Candidates should be outgoing, enthusiastic, creative, energetic, and able to work in a busy exhibit space
• Candidates should be willing to and feel comfortable speaking in front of audiences
• Candidates should enjoy working with people of all backgrounds—especially children
• Candidates should have a strong interest in biology, zoology, ecology, animal behavior, wildlife science, or related fields preferred
• Candidates should be able to take direction, adhere to Museum policies, and work collaboratively with staff to address challenges
• Candidates should enjoy learning new information and sharing it in an age-appropriate, accurate, engaging, and fun manner
• Candidates should demonstrate maturity and the ability to work independently while following supervisor instructions and guidance

Additional Considerations

• Experience working with children of various ages. ASL or Spanish language competencies is a plus. 
• First generation college students are encouraged to apply

Commitment

• This is a paid internship position
• Interns will be expected to complete 300 hours between Mid-May and Mid-August
• Interns will be paid at an hourly rate of $15/hr
• Candidates selected for interviews should be prepared to discuss their general summer availability
• If receiving school credit, candidates should specify their academic program and required hours
• Interns must commit to participating in all required training sessions
• The selected candidate must pass a criminal background check

Application Process

Interested candidates must apply through the Commonwealth of Virginia job website, which can be accessed via https://jobs.virginia.gov/

All submissions must include a cover letter describing their interest in the specific internship and a résumé

Name/Address of Internship Site:
Science Museum of Virginia located at 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23200-2054

Additional Information: 

Candidates with questions can contact Volunteer and Internship Coordinator, Jared Strawderman, at jstrawderman@smv.org or at 804-864-1514.