Homewood Science Center is sponsoring a conservation ecology based internship for middle school students. This internship will complement the Ecosystems science content and the science and engineering practices reflected in the Next Generation Science Standards for middle school. This internship is a student-led program, supporting agency and equitable practices. All area middle school students are invited to join us this spring in a community project to support Izaak Walton Preserve through scientific investigation, discovery and citizen science!

Led by Patricia Messersmith, Senior Educator Museum of Science and Industry, Nicole Fuller, Chicago Public School Science Educator, and Kandis Demeo, Entomology Specialist,  6th-8th grade interns will meet at Homewood Science Center to learn from experts and participate in field work at nearby Izaak Walton Preserve. The internship will conclude at Homewood Science Center's Pop-Up Science Event “Go Green!” (June 27th, 9:00 am-2:00 pm) where the students will share their volunteer conservation ecology projects with the community.

Eligibility
This internship is open to 6th-8th grade students interested in conservation and ecology. The time commitment for the internship is approximately 16 hours.

Internship benefits
Participation will provide students with hands-on learning experience in project field work, development, management, and public presentation. They will also have the opportunity to meet and learn from leading experts in conservation and ecology.
 
Application requirements
Student must complete this brief online application by April 30th. Applicants will be notified soon after whether or not they have been accepted into the Program.

*Interns are required to meet at Homewood Science Center or Izaak Walton Preserve on the following dates:

May 9 9:30-11:30 Explore Biodiversity, Conservation, and Community!
May 16 9:30-11:30 Discover Pollinator Power!
May 30 9:30-11:30 Investigate a Prairie Ecosystem in a BioBlitz!
June 6 9:30-11:30 Analyze Data You Collect to Support Izaak Walton!
June 13 9:30-11:30 Collaborate to Plan Your Scientific Presentation!
June 20 9:30-11:30 Communicate Your Research Findings!
June 27 9:00 am-2:00 pm “Go Green!” Pop-Up Science Event

Details of the Internship Sessions

May 9 9:30-11:30 Explore Biodiversity, Conservation, and Community
Homewood Science Center
Students will collaborate to plan a project related to biodiversity and conservation for nearby Izaak Walton Preserve. They will engage in observation, data collection and analysis in a mini-Bioblitz at Homewood Science Center's student created native garden.

May 16 9:30-11:30 Discover Pollinator Power!
Homewood Science Center
Students will discover the amazing world of pollinators and how essential they are to the health of native Illinois ecosystems. Activities include dissecting plants, close-up views of pollinators, and more time exploring the Homewood Science Center garden.

May 30 9:30-11:30 Investigate a Prairie Ecosystem in a BioBlitz!
Izaak Walton Preserve
Students will investigate Izaak Walton Preserve's prairie ecosystem by participating in a BioBlitz! They will make observations and collect data on plants and animals living in their survey plots to share with Izaak Walton staff in their efforts to support conservation at the Preserve.

June 6 9:30-11:30 Analyze Data You Collect to Support Izaak Walton!
Homewood Science Center
Students will analyze the data they collected during the Izaak Walton BioBlitz and work collaboratively to decide how best to share their results with both Izaak Walton and community members in engaging, interactive presentations.

June 13 9:30-11:30 Collaborate to Plan Your Scientific Presentation!
Homewood Science Center
Students will work together to plan a scientific presentation which will showcase their building of scientific knowledge as well as their use of authentic scientific practices during their conservation project. Activities will also include learning to structure a scientific presentation and how to present themselves as scientists to the community.

June 20 9:30-11:30 Communicate Your Research Findings!
Homewood Science Center
Students will practice their scientific presentation skills while developing interactive, engaging materials to share with the community. Presentations will include observations, data, and scientific knowledge gained about biodiversity, conservation, the importance of pollinators and the scientific practices they learned while engaging in a BioBlitz!

June 27 9:00 am-2:00 pm “Go Green!” Pop-Up Science Event
Homewood Science Center
Students will share their scientific presentations about their conservation work to the public along with other presenters from the community who will present their topics related to the "Go Green" theme. All student presentations will be entirely developed and presented by the students themselves highlighting their amazing work in supporting their community.