Science Education and Activism Internship

The National Center for Science Education is seeking one full-time summer intern to work on science education activism, with a particular focus on climate change education. This is a temporary position based in Oakland, CA.

About the National Center for Science Education

The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) is a not-for-profit organization that defends and promotes the teaching of science in public schools. We provide information, resources, and support related to areas of science that are often attacked on social or political grounds—such as climate change and evolution. Our mission is to ensure that these topics are presented in a scientific, engaging, and accurate manner in the classroom.

Science education in America is under attack and science teachers are at the forefront of this challenge. There are many topics in the sciences that are scientifically sound, but politically and socially controversial, leaving educators at risk of being challenged anytime they try to address these issues. Teachers are most frequently challenged when they attempt to teach climate change and evolution, but problems occasionally arise around other issues such as genetically modified foods and the Big Bang. It is NCSE’s position that socially controversial science topics must be taught accurately in the science classroom, and we work with educators to ensure that they have the support they need to do this.

Summer Internships

We are looking for one intern for three months (June-August 2015) to help with NCSE’s teacher engagement, with a particular focus on climate change education. This is a unique opportunity for someone with a science background to learn about science advocacy and help support one of science’s most important communities: science teachers.

The selected candidate will receive training in:

·      Climate change science and education

·      Common denial arguments and tactics

·      Writing for the public and educational audiences

·      Using social media and web technologies including Salesforce to connect with educators

·      Helping to defend and support science educators who teach these topics

The intern will work at the NCSE headquarters located in Oakland, CA.

Qualifications:

·      Must have a basic understanding of and interest in science, science education, and science advocacy.

·      Good writing and computing skills are required.

·      Timeliness, follow-through, and ability to work independently are a must.

·      Preference for background or degree in Biology, Earth Science, or Environmental Sciences.

·      This is an ideal position for a recent graduate, but we will review all applicants equally.

Salary and benefits:

This is a full-time (40 hours a week) position at the NCSE offices in Oakland. The internship mentor will meet with each intern on a weekly basis, and be present while the interns are working. The internship will last for the entire summer: June–August. Due to the short nature of the internship, there will not be an opportunity for the intern to take a vacation during this time, though we do have July 4 off. The full-time position pays $6,000 for the summer. No benefits are associated this position. NCSE is an equal-opportunity employer.

To apply:

Please include a cover letter, three references, and a résumé. E-mail all three to Minda Berbeco PhD, Programs and Policy Director: berbeco@ncse.com. Applications must be received by March 1st. Find out more at: http://ncse.com/about/jobs