Student Intern - STEM
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides leadership, oversight, funding, support, and accountability for the Commonwealth's approximately 400 school districts that educate close to 1 million public school children each year.
About the STEM Team at DESE:
Within the Center for Instructional Support (CIS), the STEM team supports the vision that all Massachusetts students will have an equitable, comprehensive STEM education that fosters a positive STEM identity and enables them to apply their learning to thrive in their everyday lives. The STEM Office leads the development of and support for the implementation of the Curriculum Frameworks in Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering, and Digital Literacy and Computer Science.
Duties and Responsibilities:
This unpaid internship position with DESE is an excellent opportunity for a student or recent graduate who is interested in learning about state policy and strategies to advance STEM education in the Commonwealth. The STEM office is also responsible for designing STEM resources, providing professional development, and supporting districts’ development of STEM programs that embody rigorous curriculum aligned to the Frameworks. In addition, it links STEM initiatives to other initiatives at DESE. The role could begin during the summer, or could take place during the school year. We are willing to work with your school to offer the internship for credit.
The STEM Intern will have the opportunity to learn from direct contributions to the development of key state STEM projects and strategies. These contributions may include:
- reviewing and developing resources to advance the culturally & linguistically sustaining implementation of the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks (2016 STE, 2017 mathematics & 2016 DLCS standards);
- supporting the state’s STEM professional learning networks;
- working in partnership with schools and districts to support instruction aligned with the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks;
- collaborating with other Department units (such as Educator Effectiveness, Instructional Policy, Special Education, and/or Student Assessment Services) on STEM related projects
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will be enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate program in good academic standing, or a recent graduate, and will have an interest in learning more about specific state STEM education policies and procedures.
Preferred qualifications include a background in education and/or STEM field (coursework or work experience) and proficiency with basic office software.
Additional helpful qualifications could include familiarity with K-12 STEM teaching, culturally & linguistically sustaining instruction, and/or educational policy.
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, highly organized, and have strong written and oral communication skills. DESE is committed to developing a racially and culturally diverse team, and we encourage qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) to apply for this role.
This is an unpaid internship position with flexible hours to be determined by the candidate and supervisor. Remote or hybrid options are possible, and a rolling start date based on availability.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.