: Requirements & Training :
To be considered for this internship, you must:
- have a background in biological sciences and/or a strong interest in learning about natural history, ecology, and the environment.
- enjoy working with elementary-aged students.
- demonstrate that you are a responsible person.
- have passion for the environment, and want to inspire that passion in others.
- be willing to obtain certification in First Aid and CPR prior to the start of the internship. Certification must be through in-person class(s) through American Heart Association or Red Cross.
As a Naturalist intern, you are required to participate in an intensive, two and a half week training program prior to the start of the practicum experience with students. During training, Naturalists are given the tools and information needed to teach the OEC curriculum, and then given the freedom to develop his/her own teaching style throughout the practicum portion of the internship. To complement your work with the students on the trails, you will participate in weekly seminars focused on natural history/science, outdoor teaching methodologies, and environmental issues/sustainability. Seminars are led by OEC staff and guest instructors, and are sometimes paired with a field trip.
Objectives & Course Descriptions for:
Naturalists also receive training on working with birds of prey at the Glen Helen Raptor Center. Interns provide daily care for the birds in exchange for learning how to handle an owl or falcon for use in educational programs.
