Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation Internship and Leadership Opportunites

 Read details at
 www.childsci.org/get-involved/internship 

Internship Opportunities

The Youth Development Initiative strives to develop and implement successful
internships opportunities that provide students with the skills and experiences needed
to obtain and maintain employment. These internships utilize a combination of formal
instruction, mentoring, hands-on STEM experience, project based learning, and
continuous feedback. It is the Science Center’s vision to continue growing this program
into a gateway experience to internships and potential employment with local
companies with a focus on underrepresented populations. The Science Center’s Youth Development Initiative includes an extensive variety of internships and leadership programs for high school and college-aged youth. Since 2015, the Science Center has engaged over 300 interns through youth development programs in the community and at the Lab. For important questions, email internships@childsci.org.

The Science Center operates internship and leadership programs throughout the year:

• STEM Summer Camp Internship
• Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Internship
• Youth Advisory Board
• Animal Husbandry Internship
• Communications Internship

See details at  https://www.childsci.org/get-involved/internship 

Washington Post: Scientists describe influential children's books

The Washington Post's column by Michael J. Coren

 and

 

Hailey Haymond 

 

provides a great discussion (hyperlinked too) of children's books that scientists reported were influential in their childhood.

Read it here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2025/best-books-science-stem-kids 

What to tell your rising senior about AI and their future

 

Reposted from Substack:  Subscribe here for more A letter to teens about AI and jobs Some practical advice about what you should to be on the right side of disruption Alex Kotran Dec 9   READ IN APP   Episode six in our YouTube series, “Raising Kids in the Age of AI” focused on “Preparing kids for careers in an AI world.” It’s by far the most popular. That episode was tailored to parents, but I decided that I want to write something directly for the kids themselves on the topic. After all, Gen Z is probably more clued in to the growing chorus about the impact of AI on jobs than anyone else. A note to parents and educators: This letter is written directly to teens—specifically a rising senior in high school—but it applies to anyone wondering how to make decisions about their future. If you have a young person in your life navigating these questions, consider sharing this with them. Or read it yourself; the framing might help you give better advice. Either way, I hope it’s useful. Here’s the TL;DR: AI is real and will massively disrupt the job market right as you’re starting your career. But every industrial revolution has created more jobs than it destroyed. The key is being on the right side of the transition. The old playbook is dead: “pick the ‘safe’ major, follow the predictable path. Instead,

STEM activities for kids during school breaks:

At Virginia Tech we regularly hear about, or are asked about how to engage kids in learning during breaks away from the rigor of school.  Here is a list of DC Area things parents or older siblings can do to involve kids in everyday research and planning tasks that help them realize their research and problem-solving abilities:

STEM Activities for the Breaks and Holidays

For any of the following, a great way to help students develop executive function skills and STEM habits of Mind include having them take leadership in the following:

• Planning the itinerary/schedule

• Background research

• Prepare a budget for the day (food, transportation, admissions, etc.)

• Identifying “must-see” or “must-do” options

• Weather and Safety 

• Older kids taking responsibility for younger kids

Natural Areas

1. George Washington Memorial Parkway

1. Potomac Heritage Trail - Roosevelt Island to Cabin John Bridge (Lone Oak Drive)

2. Shorter hikes at 

1. Windy Run

2. Donaldson Run 

3. Gulf Branch

4. Chain Bridge 

5. Turkey Run

6. Langley Forest