Internships and Scholarships

Undergraduate and Graduate Internships

Summer Camp Intern:

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Education Department seeks educators for our 2024 summer camp program! Summer Camp Interns will instruct daily in-person programs for first to fifth-grade students.

You will gain teaching and leadership skills and learn about informal outdoor education. Interns will work with a team of staff members and passionate interns working toward sharing the joy and beauty of tropical gardening with everyone. Candidates must be able to commit to 8 weeks of the internship (June 3-August 2, 2024), working 7 hours per weekday. This is a paid opportunity, and interns will receive a $1,000 stipend. This position reports to the Field Studies and Outreach Specialist. Applications are due by May 1, 2024. 

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, oversee, and lead daily lessons, crafts, and tours in classrooms and outdoors.
• Prepare and set up program materials such as printing worksheets and assembling demonstrations.
• Track the campers’ attendance during drop-off and pick-up times. Perform daily classroom maintenance, i.e., restocking craft supplies, rearranging chairs and tables, and cleaning up tables and floors.
• Ensure appropriate camper supervision and care throughout the day, helping to meet individual campers’ physical, social, and emotional needs.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college or university.
• Enthusiasm and patience in working with elementary-age students.
• Strong time management skills and verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated, flexible, quick learner, and possesses high responsibility and personal integrity.
• The ability to lift objects to 20 lbs., work in various weather conditions, and stand/walk for extended periods is preferred.
• Must have reliable transportation to commute to and from the Garden.

To apply, please complete an online application by clicking here. Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2024.

For any questions, please contact Jemma Peterson at jpeterson@fairchildgarden.org .

Field Studies Intern:

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Education Department seeks field studies interns Summer 2024 and the 2024-2025 school year! Field Studies Interns will assist with daily in-person and virtual field trips for kindergarten to twelfth-grade students.

You will gain teaching and leadership skills and learn about informal outdoor education. Interns will work with a team of staff members and passionate volunteers working toward sharing the joy and beauty of tropical gardening with everyone. Candidates must be able to commit to at least 8 hours, but ideally 16 hours per week for the fall and/or spring semester. Work hours are primarily 9 am to 1 pm on weekdays (but can extend to the entire day), and some weekend shifts are available. There are a limited amount of stipends available for this opportunity; however, community service and/or credit hours are also available. Preference will be given to those who are available September – May. This position reports to the Field Studies and Outreach Specialist. 

Responsibilities:

• Assist in developing and teaching in-person and virtual environmental education programs, including writing lesson plans, creating print and audiovisual content, and conducting research.
• Oversee field trip group logistics, such as bus arrival and preparing the group for the program alongside interns and volunteers.
• Prepare program materials such as printing worksheets, assembling props, and tending to plants for field trip use.
• Provide support for education volunteers by training them on content and collaboratively executing lessons.
• Assist in identifying local and national schools to develop outreach efforts.
• Assist education staff as needed with special projects and events.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college or university.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong time management skills.
• Self-motivated, flexible, quick learner, and possesses a high level of personal integrity.
• Enthusiasm and patience in working with students of all ages; ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• The ability to lift objects to 20 lbs., work in various weather conditions, and stand/walk for extended periods is preferred.

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to Jemma Peterson at jpeterson@fairchildgarden.org . Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

STEMLab Intern:

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Education Department seeks STEMLab interns for the 2023-2024 school year! STEMLab Interns will assist with educating, emails, data entry, calendar coordination, and prepping materials in the Million Orchid Lab. You will gain teaching and leadership skills and learn about informal outdoor education. Interns will work with a team of staff members and passionate volunteers working to provide middle school students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on orchid research and propagation techniques. 

Candidates must be able to commit to at least 12 hours per week for the spring semester. Work hours are primarily on weekdays as our programming runs on Tues/Wed/Thurs. There are a limited amount of stipends available for this opportunity; however, community service and/or credit hours are also available. This position reports to Dr. Nichole Tiernan, Botanical Research Associate.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in teaching the in-person STEMLab programming Tues, Wed, and Thurs from 8am–1pm. 
• Assist in preparing materials for STEMLab visits. 
• Training in the orchid lab and learning sterile techniques to prepare materials for STEMLab visits.
• Provide support for education volunteers by training them on content and collaboratively executing lessons.
• Assist education staff as needed with special projects and events.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college or university.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong time management skills.
• Self-motivated, flexible, quick learner, and possesses a high level of personal integrity.
• Enthusiasm and patience in working with students of all ages; ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• The ability to lift objects to 20 lbs., work in various weather conditions, and stand/walk for extended periods is preferred.

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to Nichole Tiernan at ntiernan@fairchildgarden.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.