SERC Spring Environmental Education Internship 2026

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Call for applications at the SERC Spring 2026 Environmental Education Internship is open now!

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Environmental Education Internship, a full-time, paid opportunity designed for college students, recent graduates, and graduate students with a strong interest in environmental education, science communication, and outdoor learning. Hosted by the Smithsonian Institution, this internship is based at SERC’s expansive 2,650-acre campus in Edgewater, Maryland, situated along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The location offers an exceptional learning environment, approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 40 miles east of Washington, D.C., and 40 miles south of Baltimore, placing interns at the heart of one of the most ecologically significant estuarine systems in the United States.

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The internship provides an immersive, hands-on experience within a nationally recognized research and education setting. Interns work closely with SERC’s Education Department to support and deliver environmental education programming for K–12 students, teachers, volunteers, and members of the public. Responsibilities include assisting with and leading school field trip programs, supporting teacher professional development workshops, and contributing to public engagement initiatives that connect diverse audiences with environmental science. Interns also gain practical experience caring for live estuarine animals, such as turtles and fish, housed in educational aquaria, while helping maintain teaching spaces, equipment, and educational supplies essential to daily programming.

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In addition to structured program support, interns collaborate with education staff and volunteers to strengthen participatory science and science communication efforts across the campus. Participation in at least two required Saturday programs ensures exposure to weekend public engagement activities and broader community outreach. Each intern also completes an independent project, selected jointly with SERC education staff, allowing for deeper exploration of a specific topic aligned with personal interests and institutional priorities. Through this project, interns build research, communication, and project management skills while contributing meaningfully to SERC’s educational mission.

SERC’s campus itself functions as a living laboratory, encompassing forests, wetlands, farmland, shorelines, and estuaries, alongside laboratory and office facilities, waterfront and education centers, and on-site housing. Free on-site housing is available for interns who require accommodation, reducing financial barriers to participation. The Smithsonian Institution is committed to equal opportunity and inclusivity and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis, reinforcing its dedication to a diverse and supportive learning environment. Overall, the Spring 2026 Environmental Education Internship offers a comprehensive, professionally enriching experience for individuals seeking careers in environmental education, public engagement, and science communication.