Eureka! Lab

Smithsonian museum hosts research program for local teens

Applications are due this month for the summer internship

Applications are open for teens to get hands-on science experience at the National Museum of Natural History. 

Jevtic/istockphoto

By Bethany Brookshire

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is offering research experience to teens in the Washington, D.C. area. Participants admitted to the Youth Engagement through Science (YES!) program will get to do everything from working with plants to studying fossils. Some may even end up feeding tigers at the National Zoo. The interns will experience teaching museum visitors about exhibits, attend field trips and take college-preparation courses. YES! interns even get a stipend to pay for their time. And scientists will guide the interns as they learn how to conduct research.

Blog posts by previous YES! interns can help applicants get a feel for what the program has to offer. 

Applicants will be expected to work full time from June 26 to August 4. Then they will continue on during weekends from August 12 to September 16 (with some additional work through October 31). The program is open only to 13- to 19-year-olds from traditionally underrepresented groups. They must be enrolled in high schools in the Washington, D.C. area. Applications, found here, are due in by January 27, 2017.

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Power Words

More About Power Words

blog     Short for web log, these Internet posts can take the form of news reports, topical discussions, opinionated rants, diaries or photo galleries.

fossil     Any preserved remains or traces of ancient life. There are many different types of fossils: The bones and other body parts of dinosaurs are called “body fossils.” Things like footprints are called “trace fossils.” Even specimens of dinosaur poop are fossils. The process of forming fossils is called fossilization.

high school     A designation for grades nine through twelve in the U.S. system of compulsory public education. High-school graduates may apply to colleges for further, advanced education.

About Bethany Brookshire

Bethany Brookshire was a longtime staff writer at Science News Explores. She has a Ph.D. in physiology and pharmacology and likes to write about neuroscience, biology, climate and more. She thinks Porgs are an invasive species.