The New York Aquarium Teen Conservation Program

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, November 19th, 2010 (Eastern Standard Time)

PROGRAM TITLE: Careers in Aquatic Research and Education (CARE)
IMMEDIATE CALL for High School Student Participants (Ages 14 – 17)
Program Description
The New York Aquarium Teen Conservation Program’s Careers in Aquatic Research and Education (CARE) is a unique winter opportunity designed to introduce early high school students from various backgrounds and occupational interests to the vast and interdisciplinary nature of careers in the aquatic sciences and related fields, with a focus on careers options at living institutions such as the New York Aquarium. Interns will participate in a 10-day program where they will learn about the multi-faceted discipline of aquatic science and have the opportunity to interact with experts in various disciplines. While exposure to career opportunities in aquatic science and related fields will be the focus of the CARE program, participants will be involved also in several skill-building activities in order to prepare them for the career choices ahead. Activities will include, but will not be limited to: public speaking, bibliography generation, field observation and recording, basic research strategies, and presentation creation.
This is an unpaid internship program.
Program Requirements
CARE interns must commit to participating in this 50-hour program, which will take place over the course of 10 days (Saturdays and a few weekdays) from January 8, 2011 to March 5th, 2011. The CARE Program will begin each day at 10am and end at 4pm on the following days:
JANUARY

Saturday, January 8th , 2011
 Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
Saturday, January 29th, 2011
FEBRUARY

Saturday, February 5th, 2011
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011*
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011*
Thursday, February 24th, 2011*
Saturday, February 26th, 2011

MARCH

Saturday, March 5th, 2011**

Note: *= Program days that occur on weekdays; **= Family Day
Successful completion of this program will require the following of CARE interns:

• Attendance on each day of the program, with the exception that only one absence will be allowed
• Production and presentation of individual and group work
• Group presentations on a specific topic to family members on the final day of the program

Application and Selection Process
Eligibility: Potential applicants must be…

• Between the ages of 14 and 17 by Friday January 7th, 2011
• Enrolled in a DOE high school as of September 2010
• In their freshman (9th grade), sophomore (10th grade), or junior (11th grade) year in high school
• Application Criteria: Interested students must submit a completed application package to the New York Aquarium’s Education Department by e-mail at NYAregisrar@wcs.org or by faxing the application to 718-265-3451 no later than 4:00pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday, November 19, 2010. Late or incomplete application packages will not be reviewed or considered.

A completed application package must include:

• A filled-in CARE Application Form (signatures by the applicant and the applicants’ parent or guardian is required)
• A short 300-word typed an double-spaced essay describing your interest in the program (read the application form for details)

Interview and Selection: The Teen Conservation Program Selection Committee will review submitted applications that are complete and received by the deadline date. All applications will be equally considered. Selection of candidates into the CARE program will be based on the strength of the candidate’s application and his or her in-person interview.
Candidates selected from the pool of applicants will be placed on a roster and contacted for an in-person interview at the New York Aquarium. Candidates not selected for the roster will be notified by mail. One 1- hour interview will be scheduled for each candidate over the course of 7 days between Sunday November 21st and Sunday December 19th, 2010. Interviews will occur between the hours of 2:00pm and 5:00pm Sundays through Thursdays. Following the interview, finalists will be notified by e-mail that they have been accepted as CARE interns by Thursday December 23rd, 2010. Prospective CARE interns must notify the New York Aquarium Education Department of their intent to participate in the program no later than 4:00pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Wednesday, December 29th, 2010.
Contact: Please direct any questions to –
Ms. Kim Acevedo
Coordinator of Volunteers
Office Phone Number: (718) 265-3450
Sunday through Thursday between the hours of 1:00pm and 5:00pm.