The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is celebrating more than 160 years of connecting people with nature and science.
Originally founded so that scientists and nature aficionados alike could study and share the specimens they collected, we continue to build on our legacy of natural history education at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum through immersive exhibits, critical conservation and research initiatives, public engagement and education programming. Our mission is to create a positive relationship between people and nature through collaborations, education, research and collections, exhibitions, and public forums to grow our region’s urban connection to the world of nature and science.
The Nature Museum typically offers internships in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be considered. Internships vary, so please refer to the position listings themselves for additional requirements and application instructions. All current internship opportunities are listed below. If you do not see any positions listed, there are no opportunities at this time.
Butterfly Conservation Intern
Duration: June 1 – September 15, 2024
Department: Biology
Reports to: Chief Curator Emeritus
Objective: To develop hands-on experience in all field and lab aspects of ecological restoration of a butterfly species to a natural area by assisting in the completion of all requirements for the Nature Museum’s butterfly restoration grant.
Intern Responsibilities: This project will involve a mixture of field and lab work. The intern will assist the staff member in collecting female butterflies from the field, and in using a modified Pollard survey technique to monitor butterfly populations on study sites in northern Illinois. The study sites are located in northwest Cook, Kane, McHenry, and DuPage Counties. The intern will also assist with lab work for the project, which will include rearing Baltimore checkerspot caterpillars. Rearing activities include caring for the female butterflies during the egg laying phase of their life cycle, collecting and preparing plant material that the caterpillars will eat after they have hatched, cleaning cages for both the adult female butterflies and the caterpillars and ensuring that proper standards of lab hygiene are maintained throughout this process, and keeping accurate records of survival of both adult butterflies and caterpillars in the lab. Lab activities will take place in the butterfly conservation lab at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Final Product: Through this internship, the candidate will acquire a basic knowledge of how to undertake a butterfly restoration program, including project planning, butterfly husbandry, data recording and follow-up monitoring. They will learn best practices for rearing butterflies in the laboratory and methods for designing, running and analyzing Pollard surveys for population monitoring.
Desired Qualifications: The preferred candidate will have the ability to identify the common species of butterflies in northern Illinois as well as their host plants, some knowledge of prairie ecosystems and the plants that can be found there, basic entomological skills such as knowledge of life cycles of Lepidoptera, and some experience with animal husbandry in a laboratory setting. A successful candidate should be comfortable working with insects, able to work in sometimes uncomfortable field conditions, have the ability to lift 50 pounds and be able to drive independently in their own vehicle to field sites.
Desired Majors: Biology, zoology, environmental science
Compensation: $16.00/hr
Time Commitment (include hours and days): The internship will run from June 1 until September 15 and will consist of 20 hours per week. Days for work can be flexible by mutual agreement of the intern and supervisor. Field work will be weather dependent.
To Apply: Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to dtaron@naturemuseum.org no later than May 1st, 2024. Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule a zoom interview.
Education Intern, Teen Programs (Summer)
Duration: June 12 – August 2, 2024
Department: Education
The Nature Museum is seeking two college-aged Interns, for a 7.5-week position, assisting with the “Teenagers Exploring and Explaining Nature and Science” (TEENS) summer program. TEENS is a six-week program engaging Chicago public high school students in teen-driven investigations of urban ecosystems and the relationships between humans and nature. Teen participants collect environmental data, study nature in city parks and neighborhoods, and develop and conduct locally-focused research projects using low-cost and DIY environmental sampling methods. Students use free and open source smartphone apps for mobile data collection, and create web-based maps and other visualizations for media-rich project websites). In conjunction with the TEENS Program lead instructors, the Interns will assist with the development and implementation of field- and lab-based experiences for TEENS participants and mentor youth as they develop field-based research projects in urban ecology. This is a 7.5-week paid internship that includes 1.5 weeks of training, collaborative planning, and preparation prior to the start of the 6-week TEENS summer program. Once the TEENS summer program begins, program implementation will be Tuesday-Friday 9am-3:30pm and collaborative planning with program staff will be on Mondays 9am-3:30pm. All planning and implementation occurs in-person at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Objectives: The goal of this internship is to gain experience implementing informal science education in an outdoor setting and mentoring high-school aged youth from diverse backgrounds.
Final Product: One final product will be a project webpage where youth participants will display project data and findings through photographs, blog posts, and youth-created maps. Interns will play a crucial role in development of the project webpage by mentoring youth throughout the summer as they design research projects, collect and analyze data, and produce digital maps and other visualizations. Additionally, interns will complete regular reflections on both their contributions to the success of the TEENS program and their personal and professional growth across the summer.
Time Commitment:
- Wednesday, June 12- Friday, August 2, 2024
- Monday-Friday, 9am-3:30pm
- Note: Internship does not occur on Thr July 4 and Fri July 5
Responsibilities:
- Assist with the implementation of a teen-driven, inquiry-based curriculum emphasizing environmental science and ecological concepts, mobile data collection, digital mapping, data visualizations and analysis.
- Assist instructors leading groups of teens during lab and field-based science investigations on the Nature Museum grounds and surrounding parkland.
- Guide youth in developing and carrying out field investigations focused on urban ecology.
- Work closely and collaboratively with Museum staff to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment for the participants.
- Exhibit appropriate interpersonal skills and professional behavior to support a positive and successful workplace environment.
- Assist with other program activities as necessary.
Qualifications:
- Interest in nature and science
- Eager to work with teenagers from diverse backgrounds.
- Experience mentoring or teaching science in formal or informal education settings to high-school or middle-school students is preferred.
- Interest in facilitating science activities outdoors in a full range of weather conditions.
- Post sophomore year of college or equivalent work experience desired
- Desired majors: Environmental Science, Ecology, Conservation, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Education, Science Education, or related field.
- Experience with field mapping, GPS, GIS, and other digital tools a plus.
- Ability to physically lift, transport, and carry program materials off-site and throughout the Museum.
- Available to work hours and dates described above.
Compensation: Stipend ($3,500)
To Apply: Email resume and cover letter to: teens@naturemuseum.org. Please include “Education Intern, Teen Programs” in the subject line.
No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted.
The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the organization. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and members of underrepresented groups.