Marine Science Teen Internship Program

 In 2019 the Education Outreach team at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County launched the Marine Science Teen Internship Program, thanks to the generosity of the Vera R. Campbell Foundation. 

Each year, the program recruits a cohort of ten teens from the Boyle Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles. Eight first year interns are high school juniors and seniors from the Math, Science, & Technology Magnet Academy, Theodore Roosevelt High School, and Felicitas & Gonzalo Mendez High School in Boyle Heights. Two interns are from the previous cohort, returning to the program for a second year as Peer Mentors. All ten teens begin as interns in the Spring and become paid Museum employees over the summer, when they develop a marine science-related project.

Learn more in the video below:

Program goals for the interns include: 

• Gain exposure to museum research, collections, interpretation, program development, and facilitation;
• Acquire critical knowledge and skills that will enhance their academic achievement and broaden their future career options and work preparedness;
• Gain a greater understanding of their strengths, interests, and potential career paths;
• Be empowered to go back to their communities and share their knowledge using the critical thinking and communication skills they have gained.

Additional goals for Peer Mentors (2nd year interns) include:

• Enhance understanding of Museum’s role in the community; 
• Acquire leadership skills by taking on responsibilities such as advising and collaborating with first-year interns.

The 2023 Marine Teens

Adrian Bran		David Garcia-Hernandez		Fernando Chica
Izel Rivera		Jocelynne Serano		Michael Hernandez
Pablo Hernandez		Shanell Rincon		Valerie Felix