Teen Explainers Program
Applications for our School Year 2024-2025 cohort are closed. Applications for the summer 2025 cohort will open in the Spring. Read on to learn more.
What is Teen Explainers?
Teen Explainers is a paid high school internship program focusing on communication and learning about museums. Teen Explainers engage NHMU guests and the public in interactive learning experiences.
Teen Explainers can participate in a school year cohort (October-April) or a summer cohort (June-August). The two cohorts are largely the same experience with slightly different focuses. The school year cohort will spend more time on activity development and the summer cohort will work more on past activity evaluation. Both cohorts will learn the same valuable skills and have incredible experiences!
NHMU is grateful to our generous funding partners who are helping to make Teen Explainers possible including the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, I.J. and Jeanne Wagner Charitable Foundation, Mark and Kathie Miller Foundation, The Janata Family NHMU Teen Explainers Endowment.
What's In It for You?
- Receive training on effectively engaging public audiences
- Meet museum professionals and have access to behind-the-scenes tours
- Build professional development and communication skills
- Make new friends and share fun experiences with peers
- Eligibility for the Janata Family Teen Explainers Award
- Great addition to your resume
I think my communication skills flourished as a Teen Explainer due to my extensive time engaging with all sorts of different people
Honestly, it was much more than anything I could've imagined. I will never forget this experience or the people I got to meet and be around. I loved this program and I genuinely wouldn't trade it for the world. It was a great role to learn how to take charge and become a better leader, to develop communication skills and also to have fun in a safe environment. This program is amazing, and so are the leaders.
I loved being able to learn and educate at the same time. I always love to learn more things, especially when you are learning from experts themselves, but being able to educate others on what I was learning made it even more satisfying. I also loved doing these things with the community of people that I met.
Who Should Apply?
Eligible candidates are high school students between the ages of 14 and 18 who are curious, mature, open-minded, and excited to learn more about communication, science, and museums. Candidates should have an interest in learning and helping others learn, and the ability to work as a team member. Teen Explainers must be able to attend all required group meetings.
2024 - 2025 School Year Cohort
Total Hours: Anticipate 90 total hours
Time Frame: October 9th - April 16th
Monthly Time Commitment: Approximately 12-15 hours per month
Program Structure
- In-person group meetings every Wednesday from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (some exceptions for holidays)
- In-person group meetings select Saturdays 10:00 am - 12:30 pm (October 12th, November 2nd, November 16th)
- Starting in December, teens will work selected 2.5-hour gallery shifts each month: two every month. These shifts focus on engaging directly with museum visitors through interactive activities. They will occur on Saturdays from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm or 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm as scheduled.
- Approximately 2 independent (at home) work hours per month which includes readings, videos, podcasts, and planning.
Field Trips: Optional field trips offered
*Hours and schedule are subject to change depending upon community and campus guidelines*
Pay & Benefits
Teen Explainers are paid hourly wages starting at $13.00/hr. Participants may elect to participate as a volunteer.
As museum staff, Teen Explainers will have ability to ride UTA transportation free for the duration of the internship.
How to Apply
Applications for the school year 2024-2025 are closed and reopen in the spring for the summer 2025 cohort.
Questions?
Please email Erin Shupe (she/her) or call 801.581.3774
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