Early Childhood Intern - Temporary

The Early Childhood STEM Center provides a foundation of STEM learning experiences for early learners, their educators, and their families. The intern will assist members of the STEM team to plan and implement family events and programming for early learners. This may include creating STEM toolkits that will be supplied to early childhood classroom teachers, developing content for classroom programs and family night events, preparing and organizing program supplies, and assisting in implementation of programming.

This is a temporary position expected to last from August 5, 2024 to December 6, 2024. 

Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Currently in a STEM or education program. Experience with early learners ages infant through eight.

Upon acceptance into the program, all interns are required to provide and pay for background checks and clearances. Act 33 and 34 Clearances are free for interns. Interns who have lived in Pennsylvania for at least 10 years must have their Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 33) and Criminal Record Check Clearance (Act 34). Interns who have lived in Pennsylvania for less than 10 years must have their Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 33) and Criminal Record Check Clearance (Act 34) plus an FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Act 114). 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of early childhood development
• Knowledge of STEM
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to do independent research
• Organizational skills
• Creative thinking
• Computer experience – Microsoft office, basic computer programs

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is primarily sedentary in nature, no special demands are required. Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 

          ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULING:

            Intern will primarily work in-person at Carnegie Science Center with varying hours, reaching a 120 hour minimum during the fall 2024 semester. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND Accountabilities:

The intern will attend an internship orientation and safety training and observe CSC theater shows and preschool programs. The intern will attend weekly meetings with the Early Childhood Education Coordinator and STEM Content Manager, PreK and Elementary to plan, implement, and evaluate projects.

Over the course of the internship the intern will gain a working knowledge of how families interact in informal science environments, project planning with timelines, incorporating evaluation and feedback into project deliverables, and the content development process including researching, developing, evaluating data, and revising. They will also deepen their knowledge of STEM and early childhood development.

Other duties as assigned.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.   

*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.  An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job.  When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below.  Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive.  If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function?  The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often?  Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential.  G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it?  If so, it is more likely to be essential.