Casper, WY

Position Title: Instructional Intern

Organization: Casper Mountain Science Program, Natrona County School District #1

Location: Casper, WY

Organization Overview: The Casper Mountain Science Program (CMSP) offers learning opportunities for K-12 Natrona County School District students. CMSP’s goal is to take students outside to learn science in the natural environment on Casper Mountain. CMSP is a place-based, multidisciplinary program where knowledge is interwoven with Wyoming’s ecology. They use the outdoors to introduce students to field studies and to develop an appreciation of Casper’s backyard, and the natural world as a whole. CMSP operates out of a lodge on Casper Mountain surrounded by acres of forest, meadows, and riparian habitat, all of which serve as learning areas for students. 

The Casper Mountain Science Program offers both day and residential (overnight) programs. Programs are scheduled from September through December for the fall semester and then start again in February and run through May for the spring semester. 

The Casper Mountain Science Program provides students the opportunity to learn outdoors where they can increase their knowledge of science, find delight in nature, and reflect on their place in the world.

Position Overview: Casper Mountain Science Program intern instructors are enthusiastic, college-aged employees who are interested in exploring place-based science education and improving their teaching skills. Students are placed in small groups and led by one or two intern instructors. These young people from all over the country guide students through science inquiry, provide leadership to the students in their group and supervise evening entertainment.

Multi-day programs are 2 day, 1 night. During overnight stays, students stay in yurts, which are located near the main lodge. For day programs, a class arrives on Casper Mountain around 9:15 AM and leaves around 1:15 PM. Onsite housing is provided as well as food supplement. Interns share communal living spaces and bedrooms are shared with one or two co-workers, dormitory style. Many communal living areas also serve as a classroom space. Food will be provided to interns when students stay overnight.

Duties: Interns will teach curriculum that is based on the Wyoming State Standards and is designed to meet the needs of the classroom teacher. While some lessons and activities are taught indoors, a significant portion of the teaching is done in the field. Most work with students is done Monday through Thursday, with training and classroom visits reserved for Fridays. Hours per day vary depending on the type of program provided. The weekends provide opportunities to explore the outdoor recreation opportunities on Casper Mountain and around the state of Wyoming.

Interns receive two weeks of training at the beginning of their internship. Initial trainings focus on classroom management and student supervision strategies, local ecology, CMSP and NCSD procedures, and curricula offered by the program. Training will continue throughout the semester in order for interns to improve their management and teaching skills, as well as to provide an opportunity to learn more about lesson planning and curriculum design.

Start/End Dates: January-May 2024

Application Deadline: December 15

Pay: $4,800 total – Interns will be paid monthly ($1200 a month for 4 months)

How to Apply: Complete the online application and send Julie Jarvis (julie_jarvis@natronaschools.org) a resume and cover letter. Email the program director, Eric Reish (eric_reish@natronaschools.org) with additional questions.