COSIA Internship 2012

Over the past several years, students at the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University have been able to participate in Communicating Ocean Sciences for Informal Audiences (COSIA) course. This course provides students an opportunity to develop their communications and teaching skills, in tandem with their science education, allowing them to become more effective advocates for ocean literacy and marine science.

This summer, IMCS is pleased to offer undergraduate students an opportunity to further practice and refine the informal education skills taught in COSIA.

What is the internship?

Over the course of the 10-week internship, interns will work on-site with the education and outreach staff at IMCS. The internship will be for 30 hours per week and requires interns to be on site at least four days a week. Dates of the internship are negotiable (ideally Jun 4 – Aug 10, 2012). Interns who complete the internship will receive a $4,500 stipend, paid biweekly. If needed, campus housing may be provided.

Preference will be given to applicants that have taken COSIA at Rutgers or similar classes elsewhere.

What kind of work will I do?

Over the course of the 10-week internship, students will:

• Package existing educational resources and materials into educational kits for use by informal and formal educators.
• Develop and present educational activities to a variety of informal education audiences (i.e. 4-H clubs, summer camps, school teachers) over the course of the summer.
• Adapt one or more existing educational activities to be used by K-12 classroom educators or informal audience educators. Activities will be used during the 2012-2013 academic year in support of the MARE Ocean Lecture & Educators’ Night and the 4-H Rutgerscience Saturday programs.
• Assist staff in the development of a business plan and educational strategy to implement fee-based programs to be run by the IMCS staff and/or an undergraduate students during the academic year.

How do I apply?

Interested students should send the following information to Janice McDonnell by April 2nd.

• A copy of your transcript. An unofficial version (copy) is acceptable.
• A current resume (include email and phone numbers where we can reach you).
• A personal statement describing your background, interest in developing your science education and communication skills, career plans, and how this Internship will help you reach your goals.
• A list of the contact information for 2 professional references.

If you have any questions, please contact Janice McDonnell, Assistant Professor of Youth Development at Rutgers University, and the Director of COSEE NOW.