Explora’s Youth Intern Program is a highly successful and ongoing program at Explora. Since its creation in 2004, it has provided about 30 paid internships a year for low-income, high-achieving, culturally-diverse high school students in Albuquerque. Candidates are eligible for federal free/reduced-price lunch and are recommended by teachers from at-risk schools. Those accepted through a competitive selection process participate in the program for 2½ years, working closely with Explora’s educators and staff to develop workforce skills, receive college and career mentoring, build capacities, explore the principles of experiential learning, provide community service, and serve as role models for approximately 5,000 low-income elementary students annually via Explora’s inquiry-based STEM educational programs. Our service-learning approach builds self-confidence and workforce experience for the interns, provides educational outreach services and role models from their own community for the children, and enriches the quality and breadth of Explora’s work. Additionally, throughout their experience each intern is matched with a mentor who supports their job performance and helps them explore potential careers.
Explora’s mission is to create opportunities for inspirational discovery and the joy of lifelong learning through interactive experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
We meet our mission in partnership with stakeholders throughout our state and by following our core values: