The STREAMWORKS Education Internship Program is a unique multi-skilled internship where interns learn through experience and service. These dedicated interns are a part of a distinctive team that continues to adapt to the ever-growing fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). STREAMWORKS interns are comprised of various high school and college-level students. Through various programs, our interns develop real-world skills that translate especially into a career in STEM; however, these skills can also be beneficial in non-STEM career paths. Our program’s foundation is built upon five key principles. The core principles of our Internship Program include:
Leadership
Interns learn the value of leadership through our various initiatives: Marine Advanced Technology Education, (MATE), Robot Drone League (RDL) and summer camps. These STEM savants take part in leading our initiatives, facilitating team communication, teaching team organization amongst robotics teams and grasping how to lead a team. Interns learn the importance of delegating responsibility and using a team’s dynamics to achieve a collective goal. Importantly, they become self-aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and they are continuously challenged to use both in an effort to build important leadership skills.
Teamwork
Interns must learn to work in both large and small groups to achieve success. They learn to become leaders and team-players, all capable of multiple potential roles on a team. Interns learn the importance of good brainstorming and make use of its principles in the design of robots and in our yearly Robot Drone League game design. STREAMWORKS interns are key listeners who understand the value of respect for their fellow team members and strive to be reliable. Interns are highly capable of managing conflict, and they learn to understand group emotion and how to integrate with a new team.
Communication
Perhaps one of the most valuable skills of STREAMWORKS interns is the utilization of superior communication principles. Interns learn to use interpersonal communication skills in conflict management, team motivation, and brainstorming. They also use negotiation and persuasion skills through pitch presentations in the community as a part of their business acumen or commercial awareness. Interns are excellent facilitators of professional dialogue between teams, industry experts and coaches. They are also skilled with public communication, frequently appearing in various news stories, articles, online videos, and pitch presentations. Interns must be prepared to communicate with students as young as kindergarten, as well as middle school students, high school students, college students, industry professionals and even public officials. Interns must maintain a sense of understanding concerning various principles and must be able to adapt information to a level of comprehension in consideration to the different age groups.
Problem-Solving
Through proper brainstorming techniques, interns learn how to solve various problems. Coming from high school and college robotics teams, our interns understand the significance of good problem-solving skills. They utilize good analytical and research skills to properly assess problems and address a possible solution. STREAMWORKS interns are examples of the Engineering-Design Process, and, as such, make excellent mentors regarding these skills.
Confidence
People are able to acquire more confidence when they put their skills to the test, allowing themselves to feel as if they are more valuable while searching for college scholarships, awards, jobs and other opportunities. A boost in confidence can mean the difference between getting a good or bad grade in an academic setting, and it can provide a motivational boost to go above and beyond their current skill-level. The ability to work under pressure can add a sense of reassurance as individuals learn that they can persevere through these difficult situations. Our interns are confident, capable and can do whatever they set their minds to.
I want to find out more about the program
Prospective interns must meet the following requirements:
- Must be currently enrolled in school or university
- Minimum of 1-year participation experience with STEM or Robotics Club
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- 3 Letters of Endorsement
To request more information on the STREAMWORKS Education Internship Program, please contact Dennis Courtney at dcourtney@www.streamworkseducation.org.