JJK FAN High School Internship

The Jackie Joyner Kersee Food Agriculture and Nutrition Innovation Center is committed to combating food insecurity while exposing the next generation's talent to some of the fastest growing careers in Agriculture, Technology and STEM. As a paid intern at our center, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of agriculture, food and nutrition, and community engagement. You will work closely with the JJK FAN team on special projects related to plant science, agriculture and food access.

As an intern you will be exposed to all elements of the JJK FAN partnership and receive training that will lead to transferable skills to many careers and industries. Interns will receive one-on-one mentoring and support with their post-secondary pursuits and receive various resources to succeed. Interns will volunteer and attend field trips at various sites for career and academic enrichment within the St. Louis and Metro East area. The internship is an opportunity to better learn and understand food systems locally and broadly while learning the systems that proceed them while gaining skills that could lead to multiple pathways in the STEM careers.  

Skills that students will be obtaining:

• Research and Analysis
• Project Management & Support
• Technology Integration
• Collaboration and Networking
• Career Exploration

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, executing, and monitoring of research projects related to the JJK FAN.
• Learn how food security, community engagement, and STEAM education intersect and how they are important to the FAN’s work.
• Explore and evaluate new technologies, such as precision agriculture tools.
• Engage with industry experts, partners, and stakeholders to gather insights and learn to foster collaborative relationships.
• Attend professional development for academic and career preparedness.
• Attend field trips for academic and cultural enrichment.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions and workshops to generate innovative ideas and solutions.
• Work with world class scientists on special research projects.
• Conduct end of year Internship presentations
• Receive one-on-one advising on postsecondary planning for college and career preparation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Align with Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship

Requirements to apply

• Must be 16 years of age.
• Be in good academic standing.
• Have an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), community engagement, policy, and education. Please note that not having interest in any of the above will not exclude you from the internship.
• Be an East St Louis resident and or attend District 189 school.
• Application Deadline is Friday, April 11th.

Submission:

• Resume and cover letter

For questions, please contact Kurly Taylor Jr, Ktaylorjr@danforthcenter.org

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:

Founded in 1998, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Our focus is scientific research at the nexus of food, energy and the environment to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. We assemble interactive teams of scientists and develop unique platforms to discover underlying principles about how plants work. We then convert that knowledge into useful crops and products, and partner with organizations that are best positioned to solve problems where they exist around the world. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is proudly an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions at the Danforth Center are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It is our policy that the Danforth Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin and status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided on this web site, please contact Human Resources, at 314-587-1033 for further assistance.