Education Intern
Background
As the only institution of its kind in North America, and one of only a few in the world devoted exclusively to metalwork, the Metal Museum leads the way in the celebration, recognition, and promotion of the field of fine metalwork.
The Metal Museum achieves its mission through four interrelated programming areas - rotating exhibitions of historic and contemporary metalwork; the Permanent Collection of objects, books, folios, and archives; the Metals Studios comprised of a Blacksmith Shop, Foundry, small metals lab, and design lab that provide educational opportunities for metalsmiths through artistic creation; and vibrant community education and engagement programming for learners of all ages. This broad, yet dedicated, focus attracts visitors, artists, and patrons from all 50 states and from across the globe to the Museum each year. Thousands more are served during off-site programming and community events across Shelby County through the Mini Mobile Metal Museum.
Education Intern Overview
The Education will work with the Metal Museum’s Department of Education and Outreach staff to assist in implementing engaging educational programming for our two summer camps, Forging the Future and Metal Marvels STEAM Camp. This hands-on internship offers a unique opportunity to gain professional experience in museum education at a nationally recognized institution dedicated to the art and craft of fine metalworking.
During our camps, the intern will assist in facilitating activities for middle and high school students and will have the opportunity to design lesson plans for future hands-on activities that align with the camp’s themes. The intern will present their research on STEAM camp activities and their experience at the Metal Museum to the museum staff at the end of the internship.
Responsibilities
- Assist in facilitating activities and workshops for middle and high school students for two summer camps.
- Conduct research on middle and high school STEAM activities that align with the camp’s themes and goals.
- Design creative and educational lesson plans for future programming that align with the camp's themes and goals.
- Support museum education and outreach initiatives, including assisting with other educational programming and outreach events as needed.
- Participate in general museum operations, such as staff meetings and visitor interactions.
- Create a presentation of their research and experience during the internship and present it to the Museum staff.
Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications
Soft skills the intern will need to demonstrate to succeed in this position include:
- Ability to clearly and effectively convey information to students, parents, and colleagues during camp sessions and meetings.
- Proficiency in writing.
- Active listening to feedback from museum staff and input from students to adapt and improve their work.
- Understanding and address the needs, interests, and challenges of middle and high school students.
- Working effectively as part of a team with museum staff and volunteers.
- Responding to unexpected changes in schedules, participant needs, or project development
- Finding creative solutions to challenges that may arise during the planning or execution of activities.
- Balancing multiple tasks such as research, lesson planning, and assisting with summer camp activities.
- Developing engaging, age-appropriate activities that are both educational and inspiring.
- Taking initiative in leading activities and managing a group of students.
- Encouraging participation and enthusiasm among campers.
- Understanding how to interact with people of different ages, backgrounds, and learning styles effectively.
To succeed in this position, the Education Intern will need hard skills in:
- Research
- Hands-on activity design
- Microsoft Office
- Classroom management
- Project implementation
Compensation
$20.00 per hour
INTERNS WILL WORK 28 HOURS PER WEEK ONSITE AND ATTEND A MANDATORY OFFSITE PROGRAM DAY ONE DAY PER WEEK WITH THEIR COHORT.
Internship Period: June 13 – August 15
Total Weeks: 9 weeks
Work Hours per Week: 28
Total Hours: 252
Workdays: 4 days per week onsite, Monday–Thursday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(7 hours per day with one hour for lunch).
PROGRAM DAY:
On Fridays, interns will attend an offsite program day with their cohort.
These hours are separate from the internship hours.
How to Apply:
This internship is through the Studio Institute Arts Intern program.
You must first apply to Arts Intern to be eligible for this internship. Once your application has been approved, we will provide you with the next steps to apply for the Education Intern position at the Metal Museum.
Eligibility Criteria:
Please watch our information video below to ensure you are eligible to apply for Arts Intern.
Student Info Session- Arts Intern Summer 2025
Submit Your Application Here:
Arts Intern Summer 2025 - Memphis
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