Teen Science Scholars

The 2024 TEEN SCIENCE SCHOLAR APPLICATION IS CLOSED.

If you want to be notified of 2025 Teen Science Scholar updates, including Information Session Dates, website updates, and a reminder when the application becomes available, please click the link below.

2025 Teen Science Scholar Interest Form

EXPLORE
Each year, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science interviews and selects 20 Teen Science Scholars to work as interns within the Science Division.

TSS is intended for high schoolers from underserved and/or underrepresented communities or schools. These internships provide hands-on opportunities to carry out scientific work alongside Museum scientists while exploring opportunities in museum and STEM careers. Scholars also participate in professional development activities, including public speaking, planning for college, and honing skills for joining the workforce. At the end of the summer, Scholars celebrate and present their work and experiences during a Showcase event.

In 2023, 100% of scholars said they would recommend the program to other students. 100% of scholars also reported gaining skills in:

Using professional communication
Being a productive member of a team
Collaborating on projects
Seeking out new learning experiences

Teens who come from communities that have been historically underrepresented in the sciences, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds or schools, and/or those who will be the first generation in their family to complete a four-year college degree are strongly encouraged to apply.

DISCOVER
In previous years, Teen Science Scholars completed internships in archaeology, earth sciences, education collections, health science, ornithology, photography, zoology/genetics, and botany collections.

Teen Science Scholars is made possible with generous support by the Isenhart Charitable Fund, Robert Zupkus & Janet Burda, The Gateway Fund II, Simpson Family Giving Fund, The Philip & Susan Greenberg Fund, Philip Ferranti, Daniels Fund, and Huntington Bank.

FAQs

The 2025 stipend amount will be announced in the fall of 2024. Stipends are not used as compensation but to offset expenses during the internship. All interns will receive daily lunch vouchers for DMNS's cafeteria. All materials and supplies are provided by the Museum, including any transportation for field trips or fieldwork. If fieldwork is involved, all supplies, meals, and expenses will be covered.

Yes, you can apply to be a Teen Science Scholar. Please keep in mind that TSS is intended for high schoolers from underserved and/or underrepresented communities or schools. Scholars must be physically present at the Museum for the duration of Teen Science Scholars.

The Museum does not provide housing for this program. Bus passes are provided for any students who request passes.

You can apply as long as you are eligible for the program. Eligible students will be rising juniors or seniors in the summer of 2025 (current sophomores or juniors). Please contact us at [email protected] to have your account reset. We kindly request that you do not create a new account.

DMNS will host several free online information sessions beginning in November/December and running through February 2025. Dates and links will be posted to this page.

If you are an educator or youth mentor and would like to invite a DMNS staff member to talk to a group of students or educators about Teen Science Scholars, please fill out the interest list form on this page.

If a student is selected for Teen Science Scholars, a representative will contact the scholar's parent/guardian/caretaker directly to share details, expectations, and answer questions.

Please reach out to program coordinator Chelsea Barker who can arrange for the use of a DMNS computer once applications become available.

At this time, all our internships will be offered in English. If a selected student's parent/guardian/caretaker would feel more comfortable conversing in another language, please get in touch with program coordinator Chelsea Barker to arrange translation services.