Thank you for your interest in becoming a STEM Exploration Youth Leader for Summer 2023! The STEM Exploration Internship is a paid internship that runs out of LabCentral, a biology/life sciences laboratory and office space in Cambridge. If you are curious about STEM and interested in exploring life sciences opportunities, this is for you!
Position Summary
Youth Leaders will receive hands-on lab experience facilitated by MassBioEd instructors, meet scientists and entrepreneurs who work in companies housed at LabCentral and beyond, and engage in College and Career readiness programming led by LEAH staff (college tours, application/financial aid guidance, leadership workshops). Youth Leaders will focus on the science, tools, techniques, and people behind the booming life sciences industry. Youth leaders will be in the lab 15 – 20 hours/week and will: test food for genetically modified corn or soy; test bacteria for antibiotic resistance; determine their own genetic traits associated with food and sleep preferences; explore the process of drug development, create genetically modified organisms to purify protein, and earn badges for the skills they gain. The internship will conclude with a symposium where youth can present their findings from the summer. STEM Exploration Youth Leaders can earn up to $2,250 for the summer.
Other benefits of the program include:
- Access to college visits, STEM career exploration opportunities, and additional academic support, regardless of participation in the STEM Teaching internship.
- A mentor who works in STEM. Youth leaders are expected to meet with their mentor for an hour monthly starting in the Fall of 2023 and ending in the Summer of 2024.
- All participants who successfully complete the summer program and are engaged with staff during the school year will be eligible to receive a paid internship opportunity the following summer in a research setting in the Boston area.
- Option to participate in a STEM Teaching internship during the school year (for students enrolled in BPS!). Youth are trained to teach STEM curricula at afterschool programs. School year internships are 6-8 hours a week and youth can earn approximately $2,500 based on their participation and attendance.
Who can be a LEAH STEM Exploration Youth Leader?
To be eligible for the LEAH STEM Exploration Internship, students must be:
- At least 16 years old by July 6th, 2023
- Fully vaccinated AND boosted
- Interested in science
- Able to participate in five 2-hour STEM-focused events during the school year.
- Students of color and students from low-income backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply
*No prior lab or research experience is needed. All that’s required is an interest in scientific research and a willingness to learn and work hard! This program is particularly well-suited for students interested in exploring a career in biology, biotechnology, or life sciences.
What are the Time Commitments?
Interviews
You must be available to interview on one of the following dates:
• Friday, April 21st, 4-6pm
• Monday, April 24th, 4-6pm
• Tuesday, April 25th, 4-6pm
• Wednesday, April 26th, 4-6pm
Internship
You must be available to participate in the internship from July 6th – August 9th. The commitment is every day, Monday – Friday from 9:30AM – 4:00PM. There are no weekend commitments.
STEM Events
You must commit to attending five 2-hour STEM-based events during the 2023-2024 school year.
Application Requirements
- This application will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete. It includes four short answer questions (a minimum of 150 words each).
- All applicants must be 16 years old or older by Wednesday July 6th, 2023.
- A Recommendation form completed by a current/former science teacher. You will be asked to provide the name, school email address, job title, and school/organization of the reference on this application. A recommendation form will then be sent to your reference to complete by the application deadline.
- You are required to upload your resume.
- You can save your application progress and continue where you left off.
- Applications and Recommendation forms are due Wednesday, April 20th, 2023 at 10:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.