Education Internship

This internship program is on hold during 2024.

Summer 2023

For Summer 2023, the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Education department is seeking an intern to help relaunch and expand our resource-lending kit, Traveling Trunks. These tactile multimedia kits are packed full of resources from across the Smithsonian Institution and deliver immersive educational experiences for a middle school audience. Through touch, tech, sight, and sound, Traveling Trunks creates a screen-free sensory rich environment.

This internship falls at the final portion of a year-long grant award and will help with the relaunch and scaling of the lending program. The intern will have an opportunity to contribute to the construction and growth of a national museum education resource, in real time.

Specifically, the intern will:

  • Research and support design on final Traveling Trunk
  • Help create digital content that supports the work of the Traveling Trunks
  • Learn how to develop evaluation techniques for the program
  • Assist in 3D printing objects for the Trunks (graphic design opportunities also exist, if the candidate has existing skills)
  • Build skills in marketing and assist in the lending process of the Traveling Trunks

Through this project, the intern will learn how to develop and grow original digital and physical educational content. They will also have the opportunity to apply understanding of educational practices to existing program and strengthen knowledge of museum and library collections.

For Summer 2023, this internship will be performed virtually (remotely), or hybrid if local, full-time, for eight weeks during the summer. Dates are flexible but a June start date is preferred. Interns are eligible for a stipend of $700 a week. Virtual/remote interns should have reliable access to a computer and internet connection.

The ideal candidate for this opportunity would be an undergraduate, graduate, or recently graduated student in Library Science, Museum Studies, Museum Education, Education, or related field.

Application Instructions


Applications must be submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointments system (SOLAA). Applicants should select “Smithsonian Libraries and Archives” as the unit and the “Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Education”.

The following items must be included and uploaded into the SOLAA system as part of your application:

  • Essay of 500 to 1,000 words describing your learning objectives, qualifications, and career aspirations and how they relate to this internship
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded into SOLAA. Do not mail physical copies.
  • CV/Resume
  • Contacts for two professional or academic recommendations. The candidate inputs names and emails into the SOLAA application system. References are automatically sent an electronic survey and have an opportunity to upload a traditional reference letter. Candidate should be sure to communicate this process to their references and input email addresses accurately.

The Smithsonian is committed to ensuring that all employees and affiliated persons (including interns) are treated equitably in an environment that is free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status or marital status. All personnel practices, including the selection of interns, must comply with this policy.

For Summer 2023, the application deadline is February 13th , 2023. Applicants will be updated of their status by late March.

General Information about Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Internships