Internship
California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program is a internship run by California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, CA. Open to: grades 9 to 12.
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- Status
- Opens seasonally
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- Paid above minimum wage
About the program
A multi-year paid internship for San Francisco high school students from communities underrepresented in STEM.
Interns do fieldwork, facilitate learning for visitors, attend science communication trainings, and join research or environmental action project groups with Academy researchers.
Key facts
- Run by
- California Academy of Sciences
- Where
- San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12Currently enrolled full time as a 9th or 10th grader in an SFUSD school; GPA of 2.5 and C or higher in science and math; able to get a work permit
- Commitment
- 2 or 3 years through high school graduation; after school and Saturdays during the school year, weekdays in summer
- Applications
- Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Cost
- Paid above minimum wage
- To apply
- Work permit
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Good fit for
- Biology and Environmental Science, Education
Making the most of it on a college application
- Stay long enough to take on more responsibility, such as a second year or training new volunteers.
- Keep a log of hours and a few specific moments. They become the activities list entry and, often, an essay.
- Pair it with something that shows the same interest from another side, such as a class, a competition, or a summer program.
Email me the Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program details
A link to this page, with the age rule and application window, plus similar programs.
More in the Bay Area
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- When to apply
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| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)Volunteering · Museum or science center | Sausalito, CA | 15 and up | At least a 3-hour commitment; regular, seasonal, or one-time shifts | Year-round |
| Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy ExplorersVolunteering · Museum or science center | Oakland, CA | Grades 10 to 12 | 2 floor shifts per month in the school year, 3 per month in summer, plus Inquiry Teams that meet 7 times per semester | Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Exploratorium High School Explainer ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 18 | Entire school-year or summer session; more than 60 hours of training | School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 11 to 12 | Saturday workshops in May plus full-time summer placement, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, June 1 to August 7, 2026 | Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research ProgramsSummer program · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 7 to 12 | One-week sessions in June and July 2026; optional residential add-on for some sessions | Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday HelpersVolunteering · Museum or science center | San Jose, CA | 14 and up | At least six shifts of 3-4 hours across November 21-29 and December 19 to January 3; one 3.5-hour orientation | Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
All museum programs in the Bay AreaBiology and Environmental Science opportunitiesEducation opportunitiesEvery opportunity
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to join California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program?
Grades 9 to 12. Currently enrolled full time as a 9th or 10th grader in an SFUSD school; GPA of 2.5 and C or higher in science and math; able to get a work permit
How many hours does California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program require?
2 or 3 years through high school graduation; after school and Saturdays during the school year, weekdays in summer
When does California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program take applications?
Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
What do you need to apply?
Work permit, Minimum 2.5 GPA.
Sources and method
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/cal-academy-careers-in-science.
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