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Informal STEM Education Internship

Summer 2025

Purpose: 

Five applicants will be selected for placement at one of the ISGC informal outreach affiliates. One student will be placed at each affiliate organization: Science Center of Iowa, Putnam Museum & Science Center, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, The Iowa Children’s Museum, or Grout Museum District. A stipend of $6,560 will be awarded to selected interns for the 8-week internship. Awards are contingent on selection and proof of enrollment at an ISGC core or academic affiliate and a minimum 3.0 GPA met with transcript verification from Fall 2024. Interns will participate in or lead programming showcasing NASA and NASA’s work and/or develop and deliver educational programming for the hosting outreach affiliate. Mentors will provide experiences to increase understanding and application of STEM education and science communication.

Eligibility:
  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Full-time enrollment at DMACC, Drake, ISU, Loras, Morningside, UI, or UNI at the time of application*
  • Graduation date no earlier than Spring of 2026
  • Majoring in STEM or education disciplines
  • Good academic standing (minimum 3.0/4/0 GPA)
Selection:

Internships are competitively awarded based on complete application information, including academic qualifications. Awardees must present a poster presentation at the ISGC Research Symposium in spring 2026 (date TBD). Awardees must agree to participate in a NASA longitudinal tracking process that surveys student progress and eventual employment outcomes to help assess the effectiveness of our program and STEM retention efforts. The undergraduate intern will create a final report for the ISGC Office and Executive Committee at the end of the internship. A report template will be provided. Please note that ISGC or the hosting affiliate will not provide housing accommodations for the 8-week internship.

To Apply:

The preliminary announcement date for awards in early April 2024, contingent upon the availability of NASA funding.

Internships available at these affiliates

.."because of my internship, I am so much more enamored with the space aspect of the field. I also feel much more prepared to achieve my goals of being a leader in my field as I feel I can work with others and communicate the scientific topics that I will need to so much better than I could before."