Office of Education and Outreach YOUTH INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR STATEMENT OF WORK 11/22/2017 1. Project Summary The Smithsonian s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) seeks a contractor to provide educational, coordination, and logistical services in support of the implementation of youth internships at the museum. As part of the Youth Programs team, the contractor will be primarily responsible for the successful coordination and implementation of two high school internship programs at NMNH - the Youth Engagement through Science (YES!) science research internship program, and the Q?Crew Captains museum careers internship program. The work would begin on or about January 15, 2018 and continue through December 15, 2018, with the possibility of transitioning into a full-time staff position. The price to the Smithsonian Institution for this contract shall not exceed $48,000. 2. Context: Youth Internships at the Smithsonian s National Museum of Natural History The Smithsonian s National Museum of Natural History, located at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W. in Washington, D.C., is the most-visited natural history museum in the world. Opened in 1910, the green-domed museum on the National Mall is dedicated to maintaining and preserving the world s most extensive collection of natural history specimens and cultural artifacts. It fosters significant scientific research and educational programs and exhibitions that present the work of its scientists to the public. The museum is regarded as a global leader in natural history collections, collections-based research, scientific discovery, and natural history exhibition. The current and ongoing restructuring of the Office of Education & Outreach is part of an institution-wide effort to promote the education and outreach activities of the museum to the rigor and renown of its science activities. A related intent is to reinvigorate the offerings that the museum provides for youth, especially those from populations underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers, by engaging them in our unique assets our science and collections with the hope to inspire the next generation of scientists. Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center Created for teens and tweens, Q?rius (pronounced "curious") is an interactive learning space that brings the unique assets of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History the science, researchers, and collections out from behind the scenes. Visitors can use microscopes, handle some of the 6,000 collection objects, solve science puzzles, do 1
touchscreen activities, and even meet a scientist. Q?rius serves as the homebase for youth programs at NMNH, especially during the summer months. Youth Engagement through Science (YES!) Program YES! is a highly regarded science internship and professionalization program for under-resourced youth from communities traditionally underrepresented in science careers. The program provides direct, in-depth access to and engagement with Smithsonian research, collections and experts, college preparation classes, and opportunities to build and use science communication skills to prepare young people to become 21st century scientists or science-minded citizens. More than 150 students have participated in the YES! program since 2008, and through their outreach requirement, they have engaged more than 4,000 other young people in conversations about science at the Museum, in schools and in their communities. The target participants for the YES! program are rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders from communities traditionally underrepresented in STEM careers, mainly Latinos, African-Americans, and females from all backgrounds. Recruitment targets schools in low-performing districts, such as DC Public Schools, and through community organizations that provide services to the target populations. Students who have participated in YES! during the previous summer are eligible to progress through a science research staircase, with the opportunity to apply for a second and third year program with deeper science experiences and a continued mentorship with a science researcher. Q?Crew Captains Museum Careers Program The Q?Crew Captains program provides exceptional, high potential Q?Crew volunteers an opportunity to level up, playing a greater leadership role within Q?rius. Six Q?Crew Captains are selected from previous cohorts of Q?Crew volunteers who have completed the minimum requirement of 100 volunteer hours. During the Q?Crew Captains program, interns focus on broader museum careers while working closely with museum educators and experience designers. Q?Crew Captains assist in training and mentoring a new cohort of Q?Crew volunteers, help education staff on the floor in Q?rius, and are assigned special projects related to museum activity design in Q?rius. Captains also sharpen their science and communication skills through a selection of courses and field trips in the Q?rius Youth Science Academy Summer Session. Community Outreach with Youth Voices An integral part of NMNH youth internship programs is the cultivation of ambassadors and spokespeople for NMNH, the Smithsonian and science in general. YES! interns and Q?Crew Captains take Science Communication Training, a series of workshops that culminates in the development of a 5 to 8 minute TED-style presentation. They are then tasked to reach 100 peers through the Reach 100 Initiative, where they serve as multipliers, increasing the effectiveness of our efforts to engage young people and become a relevant place for them to explore their science interests and gain science and career skills and experience. 2
3. Scope of Work The contractor shall provide the necessary labor to coordinate youth internship programs at NMNH as outlined here: Tasks Internship Program Preparation and Organization Recruit and market NMNH Internship Programs to target high school audiences, especially youth from underserved populations and communities underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers; Recruit and train science mentors, and provide ongoing support to them throughout the program; Recruit, select and manage college interns to support the youth programs during the summer months; Coordinate the Youth Programs application processing and review, and final selection of interns by: Conducting ongoing communications with potential youth program participants and their caretakers about program offerings; Building and maintaining a spreadsheet with applicant data and rankings; Scheduling and organizing interviews for applicants; Reviewing and scoring applications; Taking part in interviews of potential participants; Provide logistical support for supplies, equipment, space, food and transportation as needed Engage with parents and other family members of interns, effectively communicating expectations of program participants Assist in creating and maintaining positive, effective relationships with community organizations and local school administrators to share and recruit students for opportunities offered. Internship Program Coordination and Implementation Manage 26 high school interns and coordinate all aspects of internship programming, including the day-to-day logistics of their programs, and serving as the main point of contact for interns; Lead and facilitate core programmatic elements of internship, like orientation, trainings and skill building workshops; Assist in the implementation of other program elements when another educator is leading the facilitation; Identify and resolve intern issues, concerns and questions. Conduct site visits to intern project locations to offer student and mentor support; Collaborate and communicate with staff across NMNH and the Smithsonian to plan and implement programs; Assist with the evaluation of internship program by administering questionnaires, communicating with interns to gather information, and recruiting participants for focus group sessions; 3
Create and disseminate weekly newsletters to YES! science mentors during the summer. Communicate to Manager of Youth Experiences any issues or concerns as they arise, if help in problem solving is needed. Document internship happenings through photographs, maintain a daily journal of program highlights, and organize and maintain data and information for program reports. Deliverables Weekly: Weekly written updates summarizing the weekly youth internship work and progress on other projects will be due via email to the Manager of Youth Experiences no later than close of business on Wednesdays. Weekly: 30 minute check-in meetings with Manager of Youth Experiences Bi-Weekly during Winter and Spring months: Meeting with Youth Programs team Daily during Summer months, daily check-ins with Youth Programs team. Write-ups for yearly end-of-program reports. Media documentation of 2018 youth programs (photos, screen shots, video and testimonials) Updated tracking document of youth programs interns for the year, adding to past data and information. Updated Youth Programs Internship Manual, based on any changes and updates from 2018 program year. 3. Scope and Timeframe Contractor must be available to work onsite at the National Museum of Natural History. Contractor must work 40 hours per week. No travel costs will be reimbursed. 4. Period of Performance The period of performance is anticipated to begin on or around January 15, 2018 and be completed no later than December 15, 2018. Original period of performance will cover an 11-month period from 1/15/18 to 12/15/18. Pending need and funding, there will be four one-year optional periods. Proposals should be submitted with base year hourly rate and four optional out-year hourly rates. Date through Date Base Period 1/15/18 to 12/15/18 Option Periods 1 12/16/18-12/15/19 2 12/16/19-12/15/20 3 12/16/20-12/15/21 4 12/16/21-12/15/22 5. Requirements 4
For day-to-day activities and program coordination, the Contractor will report directly to the Manager of Youth Experiences, who will act as the delegate and representative of the Chief of Community Programs. When the Manager of Youth Experiences is absent, the Contractor will report to the Chief of Community Programs. The contractor will work in a team environment with other Q?rius and Youth Programs staff, volunteers, contractors and interns. Beginning on or around January 15, 2018, the Youth Internship Coordinator will work approximately 40 hours per week, mainly Monday through Friday. Because of the team environment and the nature of the work being directly associated with the youth audience, it is anticipated that the vendor will need to be flexible with their weekday schedule. Schedules may change to include one weekend day or evening hours when necessary to accomplish tasks associated with the implementation of program needs, such as interviewing teens for acceptance into our programs, running workshops and trainings for teens, and assisting with special events. 5