Hey! My name is Tim Schuessler and I am the 2010 T2D2 intern at Powder Valley Nature Center located in Kirkwood, Missouri. This is a great place to intern for any science majors especially those in Biology or Environmental Science. You will gain much expertise with nature, animals, and the environment and teach information in those areas to different groups of kids throughout the St. Louis area. For one week, you will be a counselor for a summer camp for kids ages 8-13. Working very closely with the knowledgeable and friendly naturalists on staff, you will become just like one yourself. You will also gain experience in handling and taking care of animals such as frogs, turtles, and snakes.

Internship Duties include:

  • Observing and helping with educational programs given by the naturalists on location and off-site.
  • Writing and designing a program of your own to give to an audience of your choice.
  • Feeding, handling, and caring for animals such as lizards, snakes, and turtles.
  • Serving as a camp counselor for children ages 8-13 for a one-week summer camp. The Camp includes arts and crafts, daily educational programs, fishing, riflery, and archery.
  • Operating and assisting with on-site activities for visitors such as nature tables and the laser shot program.

I am 8 weeks into the internship and would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to gain tons of knowledge on all the natural conceptsabout animals and the environment of Missouri. You will observe programs given by naturalists and, once you are comfortable enough, you can help present them. Eventually, you will design a program of your own. I am designing one discussing and demonstrating the various colors and patterns of animals and their significance. Color can be used for camouflage, warning, etc. Along with the educational programs, summer camp is a main focus for the internship. It is a fun week where you will interact with the kids on a personal as well as educational level.

At Powder Valley you have a lot of freedom to choose what you want to do. This is a very exclusive and beneficial internship which would look great on a resume, plus you get paid! Powder Valley is a great place to intern and I recommend it for anyone who is interested in science teaching and/or wants to better themselves in the areas of science and science education.