STEM & Environmental Education Intern

About the role

Gain real classroom experience outside the classroom by helping inspire more than 10,000 students each year through hands-on STEM and environmental education at one of the Midwest's premier botanical gardens. This internship offers aspiring educators the opportunity to build classroom management and teaching skills while leading elementary and middle school students in an engaging outdoor setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist with field trips and group visits serving students from preschool through middle school, including public schools, private schools, homeschool groups, daycares, camps, and youth organizations.
• Lead hands-on STEM and environmental learning activities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking.
• Facilitate educational lessons aligned with Kansas State Standards, incorporating topics such as plant science, ecology, sustainability, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
• Guide students through hands-on nature investigations, art projects, creative workshops, and inquiry-based learning experiences.
• Facilitate outdoor activities such as garden exploration, nature walks, carousel rides, sensory activities, free play, and interactive learning stations.
• Gain real-world classroom management experience by supervising groups of students and supporting positive behavior in an outdoor learning environment.
• Assist with program logistics including participant check-in and check-out, attendance, activity transitions, lunch supervision, and general group management.
• Prepare educational materials, classroom supplies, learning stations, and program spaces before and after programs.
• Provide welcoming and professional customer service to students, teachers, parents, chaperones, and garden visitors.
• Assist education staff with lesson preparation, curriculum planning, program evaluation, and the development of new educational activities.
• Collaborate with experienced educators to improve programming and create meaningful learning experiences for diverse audiences.
• Receive mentoring from education professionals and gain experience valuable for future teaching, education, and public engagement careers.

Skills

• Classroom management and student engagement
• Lesson facilitation and instructional delivery
• Inquiry-based and experiential teaching practices
• Public speaking and presentation skills
• Outdoor and environmental education techniques
• Program planning and organization
• Customer service and hospitality
• Team collaboration and problem solving
• Curriculum development and educational program evaluation

Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, teachers, and visitors.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a hospitality-focused mindset.
• Ability to engage and supervise groups of children in both structured and unstructured settings.
• Comfortable working outdoors and adapting to varying weather conditions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and willingness to take initiative.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Basic proficiency with computer systems and point-of-sale (POS) technology.
• Flexible and adaptable in managing a variety of daily responsibilities.
• Must be at least 16 years old and legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay: $12.00/hour
• Résumé-building professional experience
• Priority consideration for future employment opportunities at Botanica
• Work in one of Kansas' most unique outdoor classrooms
• Flexible scheduling around university class schedules whenever possible

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM (approximately 20 hours/week). Semester runs September 1-November 6, 2026.

Internship Credit

Botanica is happy to work with university internship coordinators to fulfill practicum or internship requirements for eligible education programs.