Michelle Knovic Smith (1950–2021), as an educator, mentor, and leader, in her more than three decades at the Smithsonian, pioneered innovative and effective approaches to the Smithsonian's mission of the “diffusion of knowledge.” First, as Publication’s Director for the Institution’s teacher magazines, Art to Zoo and Smithsonian in Your Classroom, Michelle developed publications and distribution strategies that reached every school in the country. Later, as Associate Director at the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access, she pioneered the development of the Smithsonian’s first web-based platforms and tools that ensured that every classroom across the nation could access the wealth of resources provided digitally by Smithsonian museums. As a colleague, she was a dedicated and influential mentor who guided and encouraged multiple generations of Smithsonian educators and technologists.

The Smithsonian Women's Committee generously supports the Michelle Knovic Smith Education Technology Internship.
 

Eligibility
To be considered for this opportunity, students must be:

U.S. Citizens and U.S. permanent residents; and
Enrolled in a community college, or four-year college or university, as a rising first year/freshman through rising college fourth year/senior; or
Enrolled in a graduate school with a concentration or research focus on museums, education, or technology.

How it works
The Office of Educational Technology (OET) each year identifies potential projects for the Michelle Knovic Smith Education Technology Internship awardee. In Summer 2023, this internship will be offered remotely, with the possibility of a hybrid experience, for eight weeks. The 2023 program dates will be 6/5 – 7/28/2023. The internship commitment is 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday.

Stipend
$800/week (full-time) = $6,400; Maximum eight-week internship period.

Logistics
Housing in Washington, D.C., is NOT provided. The entire internship during the summer of 2023 will be virtual and can be conducted from your home or school. Using the provided stipend, the intern may choose to visit Washington, D.C., to meet the OET team and visit the Smithsonian.

Vaccines
If selected, you may be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination during onboarding. Ongoing Smithsonian COVID-19 Information: https://internships.si.edu/covid-19-information.

Background Investigation
All academic appointees, including interns, must undergo a security background investigation and fingerprinting through the Smithsonian’s Office of Protection Services. If you are interning remotely, you may need fingerprinting off-site (police station, campus security, commercial site).

For more information about Smithsonian Internships, please visit https://internships.si.edu/frequently-asked-questions