Internship
Exploratorium High School Explainer Program
Exploratorium High School Explainer Program is a internship run by Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA. Open to: ages 15 to 18.
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 18
- minimum age posted
- Status
- Opens seasonally
- Season
- Varies
- Cost
- Paid position
About the program
The Exploratorium's paid workforce and youth development program, running since 1969, with summer and school-year cohorts filling over 130 positions a year.
Explainers engage visitors at exhibits, lead science demonstrations, and help run museum operations.
Key facts
- Run by
- Exploratorium
- Where
- San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 18High school aged students between 15 and 18 for first-time Explainers (up to 20 for returning); must be able to obtain a work permit
- Commitment
- Entire school-year or summer session; more than 60 hours of training
- Applications
- School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Cost
- Paid position
- To apply
- Work permit
- Attend all basic training dates
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 High School Explainer Program details
A link to this page, with the age rule and application window, plus similar programs.
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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 |
| California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | 2 or 3 years through high school graduation; after school and Saturdays during the school year, weekdays in summer | Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| 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) |
| 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 opportunitiesEngineering and Computer Science opportunitiesEvery opportunity
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to join Exploratorium High School Explainer Program?
Ages 15 to 18. High school aged students between 15 and 18 for first-time Explainers (up to 20 for returning); must be able to obtain a work permit
How many hours does Exploratorium High School Explainer Program require?
Entire school-year or summer session; more than 60 hours of training
When does Exploratorium High School Explainer Program take applications?
School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
What do you need to apply?
Work permit, Attend all basic training dates.
Sources and method
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Exploratorium High School Explainer Program”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/exploratorium-high-school-explainer.
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