Education Specialist Internship

Summer Camp 2025

Established in 1955 by pioneering shark researcher, Dr. Eugenie Clark, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit, marine science and education institution dedicated to world-class research and to translating and transferring scientific discoveries to enhance ocean literacy and inspire ocean conservation. Every year, Mote reaches more than 10,000 learners through its education programs, inspiring the next generation of marine scientists and enthusiasts. Summer Education Interns play a critical role in delivering these programs, creating a comfortable camp experience, and fostering a passion in camp participants. Camps are offered for campers 6 – 13 years old and are held at Mote’s Sarasota campus. For more information about our specific camps visit mote.org/summercamp.

About the Internship

Every year, Mote Marine Laboratory reaches more than 700 students during its summer programs,
inspiring a new generation of marine scientists and ocean conservationists. Camps are offered for
students ages 6-13. Camps run for one week, half-day sessions with alternating topics. At Mote’s
City Island campus, Mote Adventure Camp will allow campers to explore the local ecosystems; snorkeling,
dip netting, and kayaking. For more specifics on camp schedules and
themes, please visit mote.org/camps.

Mote Education Summer Interns play a critical role in preparing and delivering these programs.
Duties include, but are not limited to:

    • Developing, teaching, and assisting in evaluating marine science
      educational programming
    • Supervising/lifeguarding snorkeling and other water-based activities
    • Maintaining education spaces and daily preparation of camp activities
    • Assisting with other on-site activities and programming.

Requirements

Potential interns should:

    • Be pursuing a degree in education or (marine) science,
    • Have strong communication skills, and enjoy working with children
    • Be comfortable spending long, hot days outside and in the water
    • CPR and First Aid certifications are required
    • Lifeguard certifications are preferred (SCUBA certification optional)
    • Teaching experience is a plus, but is not required.

All interns will receive intensive and thorough training in marine science topics, education pedagogy,
and the work of Mote Marine Laboratory. Mote Summer Education Interns will become more
comfortable and confident educational instructors, gain curriculum development experience, and
make valuable professional contacts for future scientific and/or educational endeavors. Interns may
have some limited opportunities to visit with Mote research staff.

Schedule, Commitment & Stipend

The internship is an intensive 12–14 week commitment, beginning in late May. Most work weeks run
Monday – Friday with a 7:30 am – 1:00 pm or 12:30 pm – 5:00pm schedule, with some weekend or
evening work. Interns will work in the classroom and in the water.

Start date: May 19th, 2025

Preferred end date: August 8th, 2025

Interns will receive a $1200 stipend for this position. The stipend will be paid in three payments during
the internship: beginning of summer, mid-summer and end of summer (based on completion of
commitment). Applicants must be available for the full duration of the internship to qualify for the
stipend. Applicants must be US Citizens or permanent residents to receive payment.

Interns must be able to pass a background check to participate in this internship. The internship is dependent on interns having reliable transportation to Mote.

Training and Supervision

Interns will receive extensive training before the beginning of camp programs, which will introduce
interns to technology, online resources, and camp activities such as field sampling,
kayaking, and snorkeling. In their second week, interns will practice classroom management and
interpretation skills as well as prepare curriculum for the summer. They will also learn the
developmental stages of the ages they will be working with and participate in some professional
development activities. For the first week of camp, interns will shadow education staff to learn the
schedule, activities and become comfortable with how Mote Camp is run. This training will provide the
necessary skills for interns to be comfortable and confident instructors.

Interns are supervised by all staff members of Mote’s Education Department, answering first to Camp Programs Coordinator, Amanda Shuman. Performance is evaluated on an ongoing basis and interns receive feedback
throughout the internship both formally and informally. Interns are expected to be valuable members
of our team, being motivated to learn, asking questions, and sharing experiences.

For more information regarding the Internship, please contact Amanda Shuman at 941-388-4441, extension 324 or at ashuman@mote.org.

Available Resources

MML is a fully equipped and staffed research institute. Interns will have access to all facilities during
their program. MML will provide resources to help locate housing.
International participants will also have full access to the following MML resources:

    1. Library
    2. Computers, including email.
Equal Employment Opportunity

During the internship application process, Mote, through responsible managers, will recruit, select,
train and promote in all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sec, physical
disability, age, status as a military veteran, or status as a disabled veteran, except where sex, age, or
physical ability is a bona fide occupational qualification.

Managers will ensure that all other personnel actions will be administered without regard to race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, physical disability, age, status as a military veteran, or status as a
disabled veteran, except where sex, age, or physical ability is a bona fide occupational qualification.

Managers will base decisions on the principles of equal employment opportunity for all applicants.