Powdermill Nature Reserve is actively involved in promoting quality environmental education. Because of this, several internships have been established for college-age students to take active roles in the research and education programs on the Reserve.

To apply for any of these positions, please visit Carnegie Museum of Natural History's Human Resources site. Select "Pennsylvania" in the State box, and "Rector" in the City box. This will bring up all open positions at Powdermill.

2007 Rea Intern Lewis Grove

The station provides an annual grant in honor of William and Ingrid Rea to a graduate student wishing to conduct field research in any area of ecology at the reserve. The reserve has roughly 1000 ha of mature mixed oak-maple forest, fallow fields and several streams. (For a description of vegetation see Utech 1999, Special Publication of the CMNH #29).

The proposed budget should not exceed $6000 including housing at Powdermill at a discounted rate of $10 per night. Travel, equipment, and living expenses are allowable expenses.

Applicants should send a proposal (maximum 5 pages) including a timeline and budget, with a copy of their cv to Powdermill’s Senior Scientist, Andrew Mack, preferably by email (macka@carnegiemnh.org) or hard copy to: Andrew Mack, Ph.D., Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1847 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677. Questions prior to submitting are welcome at the above email address.

The proposal should emphasize the questions or concepts under investigation and describe methods in sufficient detail to assess their viability at Powdermill. Applicants should be enrolled graduate students and the project approved by their major advisor as part of their thesis or dissertation research. Projects incorporating Powdermill into multi-site comparisons or multi-year projects are welcome.

A paid position working approximately 35 hours per week for 18 weeks beginning in May 2008.

2008 Kennametal Intern Amanda Emert

Qualifications: A present college student interested in working with children and adults, currently majoring in Biology Education, Environmental Education, Environmental Science, or a Biological Science with a natural history emphasis. Candidate should also possess an interest in environmental sustainability. Responsibilities of the Kennametal Intern will include developing a new or enhancing an existing educational program that utilizes the resources and expertise at Powdermill and Carnegie Museum of Natural History, interacting with Powdermill visitors, assisting in the delivery of education programs to groups at the Reserve, and interacting with Powdermill’s education and research staff.

In addition, the Kennametal Intern’s responsibilities will include: Participating as a member of a Kennametal Inc. Environmental Health and Safety unit at the corporation’s headquarters in Latrobe, PA, assisting with and participating in Powdermill’s annual summer BioForay, assisting with and participating in the award-winning Currents Connecting Cultures program, maintaining “project logs” to document his/her teaching experiences, working with Powdermill’s new Sustainability Curriculum and submitting a final education project report, as well as making an end-of-summer presentation to Powdermill’s Coordinator of Education, Environmental Health and Safety colleagues at Kennametal, and other education and research staff at Powdermill and the museum.

For more information, contact the Powdermill Education Department at (724) 593-6105.

2008 Hodge Intern Caroline Beattie

A paid position working approximately 35 hours per week for 12 weeks beginning in May 2008.

Qualifications: A present college student interested in working with children and adults, currently majoring in Biology Education, Environmental Education, Environmental Science, or a Biological Science with a natural history emphasis. Candidate should also possess an interest in environmental sustainability. Responsibilities of the Hodge Intern will include developing a new or enhancing an existing educational program that utilizes the resources and expertise at Powdermill and Carnegie Museum of Natural History, interacting with Powdermill visitors, assisting in the delivery of education programs to groups at the Reserve, and interacting with Powdermill’s education and research staff.

In addition, the Hodge Intern’s responsibilities will include: Participating in Summer Nature Camps, assisting with and participating in Powdermill’s annual summer BioForay, assisting with and participating in the award-winning Currents Connecting Cultures program, maintaining “project logs” to document his/her teaching experiences, working with Powdermill’s new Sustainability Curriculum and submitting a final education project report.

For more information, contact the Powdermill Education Department at (724) 593-6105.