Learn at the Museum

Internships at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science offer hands-on experience in scientific research, collections, digital research, and fossil preparation. These programs are valuable stepping stones toward careers in professional fields. Museum staff serve as mentors for internships at the Museum.

For questions about internships or the application contact Moe Shuley at [email protected] or 303-370-8345.

Stipend Internships 

There are no stipend internships available at this time.

Internships for School Credit

In addition to our stipend internships, the Science Division offers internships for school credit. Please apply at least two months before your anticipated start date to allow time for application review. The Science Team staff decides which qualified applicants receive an internship. Applications for the Spring 2025 Fossil Preparation Lab will open in September. 

  • Applicants must be at least an undergraduate and have completed at least two semesters by the start of the internship.
  • Stipends are not provided by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for School Credit Internships. However, some colleges may provide funding to support these internships.
  • If you have applied for a stipend internship and hope to receive credit from your school if selected, you do not need to fill out this form.
  • Please ensure your school can provide credit for an internship before filling out this form or creating another account.
  • Since some institutions value credits differently, please calculate the number of hours you hope to complete.

Opportunities for school credit are listed below and are not connected to available Stipend Internship opportunities.

  • Earth Sciences Fossil Preparation Lab

Fossil Preparation Lab Internship for School Credit

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science hosts a rigorous field paleontology program that supports national and international curatorial research. Dinosaurs comprise nearly 80% of the fossils collected and prepared in the Earth Sciences Preparation Labs; however, crocodilians, turtles, mammals, and paleobotanical specimens are also integrated into the workflow. The Department of Earth Sciences (DES) oversees three preparation labs, two behind-the-scenes and one visible to museum guests as part of the Museum’s permanent Prehistoric Journey exhibit. Each lab specializes in specific preparation activities, including mechanical preparation, micro-preparation, molding and casting, air abrasion, archival cradle construction, preparation of exceptionally large vertebrate fossils, and rock billet cutting and embedding. 

Interns will learn and participate in the following activities:

  • Prepare and stabilize vertebrate fossils using specialized tools, equipment, and chemicals
  • Build archival cradles for oversize specimens to be used for long-term storage in the collection
  • Assist with the management of supplies and equipment for the Earth Science Department
  • Collaborate with other interns, lab volunteers, and Museum staff on special projects
  • Support fieldwork logistics; participate in regional fieldwork
  • Provide direct assistance to DES collections staff, curators, and preparators when necessary.
  • Participate in public outreach programs such as Science on the Spot, summer camp experiences, Museum Member Open House, Behind-the-Scenes, etc.

Qualifications 

  • Must have a passion for the natural sciences and an interest in pursuing a career in museums
  • Applicants must be at least an undergraduate and have completed at least two semesters by the start of the internship
  • Strong attention to detail, patience, and fine motor skills; excellent hand-eye coordination.
  • Positive attitude and flexibility
  • Ability to work collaboratively with Museum staff and volunteers
  • Organized; ability to self-start and maintain a balance between several projects
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
    Ability to lift 50 lbs.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite products

Mentors

Application Instructions 
If you have not previously applied, interned, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below-titled Internships for School Credit Application to create an account and complete the steps below.

If you have previously applied, interned, or volunteered at DMNS please contact [email protected] to have your account reset.

 

View Application

When to Apply

Summer internships

  • Application Review Period: February - March
  • Internship Duration: May - August
  • Contact Date: April 15, 2024

Fall internships

  • Application Review Period: May - June
  • Internship Duration: September - December
  • Contact Date: July 15, 2024

Spring internships

  • Application Review Period: September - October
  • Internship Duration: January - April
  • Contact Date: November 15, 2024

How to Apply

Click on the Internship for School Credit Application below and complete the steps below. Create an Account Update Profile Complete the Internship Form and Upload a Cover Letter and CV. That's it. We will take it from here.

View Application