New London County 4-H STEM Intern

Location: New London County Extension Center, Norwich, CT

Supervisor: Marc Cournoyer

Position Description / Intern Responsibilities

ST EM mini-camps:

• Assist 4-H educator with development and facilitation of live 4-H STEM outreach program
• Assist with research and development of programming with/for partner agencies to be employed through in person delivery
• Creation for short video segments to provide content instruction to audiences for use in individual, at home learning
• Assistance with continuation of existing 4-H content and program delivery
• Creation of lesson plans for future program delivery

County 4-H Fair:

• Assist 4-H staff and volunteers with planning, data management and securing necessary materials for all fair related activities

4 -H Program:

• Assist 4-H educator with other program related tasks as necessary

Learning Objectives:

• Developing a greater understanding of 4-H and other programs offered by UConn Extension
• Exploring and becoming proficient at delivery of summer 4-H content to primarily youth audiences
• Learning more about UConn Extension’s mission and possible career opportunities through participation in programs and interactions with Extension personnel

Career Development Objectives:

• Learn to communicate effectively with youth and adults within an office and in community based settings.
• Learn how to prioritize projects and meet job goals and expectations in timely manner.
• Opportunities to practice problem solving skills with youth and adult audiences.

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Monday - Friday 9:00am-4:00pm (final schedule determined by summer programming needs)

Possibility of occasional Saturday hours

Anticipated Start Date: June 8, 2026, ends August 14, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

Hartford County 4-H Agricultural Education Intern

Location: Hartford County Extension Center, Farmington, CT & The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm, Bloomfield, CT

Supervisor: Jennifer Cushman

Position Description:

The Hartford County 4-H Agriculture Education Intern will have the opportunity to engage in various aspects of educational programs at the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm, a 120-acre non-profit educational farm located in Bloomfield, CT. Activities will include engaging in 4-H educational programs to learn more about UConn Extension, the 4-H positive youth development model and creating and delivering 4-H educational content. Topics may include topics on food, agriculture, environmental and natural resources and health.

Internship activities may include planning, delivering and evaluation of 4-H education programming and developing outreach materials. The intern will have the opportunity to deliver programming using a wide range of animal, plant, and environmental resources on farm. The goal of this internship is to provide the intern with a broad experience in a variety of career skills associated with agricultural education. Some aspects of this internship may be adjusted to align with the intern's career interests and current skill set. Reliable transportation is required, as work will be based at the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm in Bloomfield and the Hartford County Extension Office in Farmington and may involve travel to program sites.

Learning Objectives:

• Create/adapt instructional materials for varying ages and abilities.
• Plan and implement 4-H Positive Youth Development Programs
• Meet the needs of a wide range of audiences

Career Development Objectives:

• Effectively communicate as a member of a team across numerous tasks
• Describe their understanding of the varying roles and opportunities within UConn Extension
• Work with youth and adults in various settings and roles with the use of multiple communication formats

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Work times will be scheduled based on program needs, typically between 8am-5pm. Some nights and weekends are required. Number of hours per week will vary, total internship will not exceed 200 hours. Start date is flexible.

Anticipated Start Date:  May 11, 2026, ends August 19, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

Hartford County 4-H Agricultural Education Intern

Location: Hartford County Extension Center, Farmington, CT

Supervisor: Jennifer Cushman

Position Description:

The Hartford County 4-H intern will gain hands-on experience in multiple aspects of 4-H programming. Responsibilities include participating in UConn Extension 4-H programs to better understand UConn Extension and the principles of 4-H Positive Youth Development. The intern will also assist with preparations for the annual Hartford County 4-H Fair, scheduled for August 14–16, contribute to marketing efforts for the 4-H program, and help design and deliver educational programs for youth.

This internship is designed to provide a well-rounded experience that develops a variety of career skills relevant to the role of a 4-H Extension Educator. Activities may be tailored to match the intern’s professional interests and current abilities, ensuring a personalized and meaningful learning opportunity. The position requires reliable transportation, as work will be based at the Hartford County Extension Office in Farmington and will involve travel to program sites. These include the annual Hartford County 4-H Fair in Somers, community program locations, and the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm in Bloomfield.

Learning Objectives:

• Create/adapt instructional materials for varying ages and abilities.
• Plan and implement 4-H Positive Youth Development Programs
• Meet the needs of a wide range of audiences

Career Development Objectives:

• Effectively communicate as a member of a team across numerous tasks
• Describe their understanding of the varying roles and opportunities within UConn Extension
• Work with youth and adults in various settings and roles with the use of multiple communication formats

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Work times will be scheduled based on program needs, typically between 8am-5pm. Some nights and weekends are required. Number of hours per week will vary, total internship will not exceed 200 hours. Start date is flexible up to June 1.

Anticipated Start Date:  May 11, 2026, ends August 19, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

CLEAR Outreach Intern

Location: Middlesex County Extension Center, Haddam, CT

Supervisor: David Dickson

Position Description:

The CLEAR intern will have an opportunity to participate in and contribute to a range of projects with the Center for Land Use Education and Research. CLEAR is a research and outreach focused University center focused on supporting informing land use decision with workshops, training, geospatial data, research, and tools. CLEAR focuses on stormwater management, green stormwater infrastructure, training for land use commissioners, geospatial data access, geospatial analysis, and geospatial tool development. CLEAR interns participate in weekly staff meetings and have opportunities to participate in all CLEAR activities over the Summer. Specific project duties will vary based on skillset and interests of selected candidate, but potential projects include assisting in developing a Riparian Buffer restoration tool, finalizing a campus green stormwater infrastructure walking guide, updating CLEAR's rain garden app, and updating CLEAR town communication contacts.

Learning Objectives:

• The importance of local land use decision makers in community resilience and sustainability
• Using geospatial technology to create education and decision support tools
• Developing intuitive educational tools

Career Development Objectives:

• Interpersonal communication
• Understanding of local government role in environmental protection and sustainability
• Working in an interdisciplinary team

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Monday through Friday. Average of 18-20 hours per week, but flexible based on availability.

Anticipated Start Date: June 2, 2026, ends August 14, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

Novel Diagnostic Techniques to Improve Plant Disease Detection

Location: UConn Plant and Soil Health Center, Storrs, CT

Supervisor: Dr. Nick Goltz

Position Description / Intern Responsibilities

The selected intern will directly support the efforts of the UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. The intern will assist with the receipt of samples, log sample and client information into our laboratory information management system (LIMS), Clinic, assist with sample triage and processing, including tissue dissection, tissue incubation in humid chambers, lateral flow assay analysis, and tissue culturing with the use of specialized media. As part of their internship project, the selected intern will work with Dr. Goltz to investigate novel diagnostic techniques and equipment over the summer. They will pilot some of these novel techniques, prepare standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for future employees and interns to follow, and they will present their recommendations during the 2026 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Seminar event.

Additionally, the intern will provide Extension support in the form of organizing and assisting with the execution of the IPM seminar, will support the writing/editing of Extension fact sheets related to plant disease and crop health with a particular emphasis on diagnostic technique development and implementation at the UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. The written materials will be used to support their presentation at the 2026 IPM seminar. 

Learning Objectives:

• Developed familiarity with working in a biosafety level 1 (or 2) lab, including following, implementing and writing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols that will be useful for working in any laboratory worksetting after graduation.

• Improved writing skills, particularly Extension writing skills, through the development of fact sheets, blog posts, and other outreach materials - to be reviewed by supervisor and submitted for peer review

3) Increased understanding of diagnostic techniques pertinent to a plant diagnostic laboratory and ability to develop and implement new techniques to detect emerging and economically significant pathogens in our region.

Career Development Objectives:

• Improved stakeholder engagement skills, which will be useful for any client-facing position
• Documented authorship and presentation skills will improve the quality of the intern's future
• Improved quality of resume and/or CV following review and guidance from supervisor.

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

10am-2pm, T, W, Th, F (16hours/week)

Anticipated Start Date: May 26, 2026, ends August 21, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $18.00/ hour

Hartford County Community Nutrition Intern

Location: Hartford County Extension Center, Farmington, CT

Supervisor: Dr. Sherry Gray

Position Description:

The intern will be actively involved with planning summer programs via the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and other nutrition programs conducted by the Extension Educator in Hartford County. One major program will be a hybrid (in person and virtual) experience for limited resource youth at Human Resources Agency (HRA) New Britain. HRA New Britain provides an intensive career exploration program to youth entering high school in the Fall and focusing on careers in food, fitness, healthcare, nutrition, and agriculture. The program runs daily July 6 - August 7. The intern will interact with youth on site at the program, assist with distribution of supplies, take photos of youth in the program and engage with youth virtually with nutrition-related topics. The majority of classes with youth will be an online format. The intern will also participate in community health fairs and farmers markets held during the summer. He/she will provide food and nutrition content of interest to diverse youth and adults via the EFNEP Facebook page and create other content for social media for these audiences. The intern will also gain experience in writing fact sheets on various nutrition related topics of interest to consumers. There is opportunity to attend virtual multidisciplinary Extension teams focusing on fitness and trails, 4-H youth development, and nutrition and agriculture during this period. The intern also has the opportunity to shadow at UConn Health Genetics in Avon for an adult metabolic outpatient clinic once a week. The student will be mentored by their direct supervisor, EFNEP educators and other Extension educators in the Hartford County Extension Center. This internship would be a good experience for an undergraduate in a nutrition or related field who would like exposure to community nutrition outreach projects and an outpatient clinical experience. The ideal candidate will be in pursuit of a health or nutrition field, desire working with diverse youth and adult audiences, and have an interest in food or gardening. This will be an ideal summer experience for a student planning to pursue a degree in nutrition or dietetics, apply for a dietetic internship and/or plans to become a registered dietitian. The focus of the internship will be to explore career options within Extension in the areas of food and nutrition.

Learning Objectives:

• The intern will be able to describe the unique learning needs of low-income, multi-cultural audiences enrolled in EFNEP and demonstrate several effective teaching strategies for youth
• The intern will be able to cite current nutrition and health topics of interest to youth and develop a teaching presentation for HRA based on this interest
• The intern will develop content on current nutrition topics of interest to low-income adults enrolled in EFNEP and the general public to use for the EFNEP Facebook page, other social media platforms, and/or fact sheets

 Career Development Objectives:

• The intern will participate in multidisciplinary Extension team-based projects to understand the value of collaboration and team building to achieve project goals
• The intern will understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and apply these principles when working with limited resource adults and youth in community settings
• The intern will gain skills in communication via public speaking and writing on a variety of food and nutrition topics for diverse audiences

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Monday - Thursday 10 am- 3 pm, 20 hours/week (flexible based on each week)

Anticipated Start Date:  June 1, 2026, ends August 14, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

Soil Health Field and Outreach Internship

Location: Hartford County Extension Center, Farmington, CT

Supervisor: Dr. Amelia Magistrali

Position Description:

The Soil Health Extension intern will support the development of UConn Extension’s Soil Health program by working alongside the Soil Health Extension Educator, Dr Amelia Magistrali. The intern will assist with soil sample collection for on-farm and landowner consultations as part of new and beginning farmer, farm access and forestry management projects across Connecticut. In addition to fieldwork, the intern will support outreach events such as workshops and field days, including the CT Envirothon. Intern responsibilities will include preparing sampling kits, traveling to sites with the Extension Educator, collecting and labeling soil samples, and recording data related to sample collection and field observations. On many occasions soil sampling will take place alongside a Soil Health consultation, which will have additional responsibilities to debrief visits with the Educator and prepare follow-up materials for participants.

A key part of this internship will include preparing outreach and engagement materials for events and field days. Tasks will include adapting and developing educational materials (fact sheets, info sheets), setting up displays (e.g. tabletop rainfall simulator, posters), and gathering feedback and observational data during events. The intern will assist with program evaluation through photography and note-taking during events, as well as administering survey evaluations and reviewing data with the Extension Educator to inform future program activities.

This internship offers a hands-on opportunity to engage farmers, landowners, agricultural service providers, and researchers while gaining practical experience in soil science, agricultural outreach, and community engagement. The intern will be expected to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and demonstrate initiative in both field and office settings.

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate proficiency in soil sampling protocols and documentation procedures. By the end of the internship, the student will independently collect, label and document at least 25 soil samples.
• Apply knowledge of soil health management strategies to real-world agricultural settings. The student will lead at least 1 farm site visit debrief with the Extension Educator, identifying soil health practices relevant to the farm.
• Develop skills in organizing and evaluating Extension outreach events. During the internship, the student will prepare and organize three sets of outreach materials, including handouts, displays and evaluation surveys, verified by the Extension Educator prior to each event.

Career Development Objectives:

• Strengthen communication and collaboration skills through interactions with farmers, landowners, agricultural service providers and other Soil Health program participants. The student will engage with at least 10 Soil Health program participants and contribute to at least 2 UConn Extension fact sheets related to Soil Health.
• Gain exposure to careers in Extension, sustainable agriculture, conservation and environmental education. The student will attend a UConn Extension Ag Team meeting and at least one CT Compost Alliance Steering Group meeting and write up a reflection paper considering areas of future collaboration or interest based on these interactions.
• Build a professional portfolio through contributions to fieldwork, event support, and extension program documentation and development. The student will produce a summary portfolio of activities during the internship, including soil sampling records, event support materials and an updated resume, which will be reviewed with the Extension Educator at the end of the internship.

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Tuesday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (15 hours/week; 14 weeks)

Occasional adjustments for soil sampling, field days or on-farm events (with advance notice)

Anticipated Start Date:  May 12, 2026, ends August 13, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

Extension Community Nutrition Intern

Location: Fairfield County Extension Center, Bethel, CT

Supervisor: Heather Peracchio

Position Description:

This community nutrition internship will provide an opportunity to engage in community nutrition education with the public and disaster preparedness. Our programs work in the community to help individuals and families learn how to shop for and make nutritious meals and snacks, budget, access food resources, and improve physical activity, all for better health and quality of life. The 2026 summer intern will participate in the 4th annual Climate Resiliency initiative in partnership with Danbury Farmers' Market Community Collaborative where the public will be given information and resources around climate resiliency and emergency preparedness. The intern will assist with program planning, implementation and evaluation of a variety of different venues including but not limited to: youth programming at summer camps, nutrition education classes at a community garden in partnership with a local health department, nutrition education classes for seniors and food pantry clients, as well as nutrition education for the public at farmers’ markets.

The ideal candidate will be in pursuit of a health or nutrition field career, have prior experience working with youth, customer service experience and have an interest in food and/or gardening. This will be an ideal summer experience for a student planning to pursue a degree in nutrition or dietetics, apply for a dietetic internship, and/or plans to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Some flexibility is available to schedule hours around summer classes, other employment or travel. Evening and weekend hours are anticipated. Weekly check-in meetings will be scheduled, typically between 9am-5pm, in conjunction with the supervisor and occur virtually or in-person.

Responsibilities and opportunities will include:

• working with adults and children
• assisting in planning, implementing and evaluating nutrition education and disaster readiness activities
• leading small and large groups in-person or virtually, with supervisor and staff support

An intern working in the Fairfield County Extension office will work with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the county Extension team. The Supervisor will meet with the intern, to monitor progress on projects and work with the intern to develop a meaningful internship plan with consideration to the intern’s career interests. The Supervisor will work with the intern to complete the required Learning Agreement, Mid-Summer Evaluation and End of Summer Evaluation. The Supervisor will also serve as instructor for the AHNR 3681 course and oversee completion of the course requirements. There may be an opportunity to network with other summer Extension interns and attend a career building workshop.

Fairfield County Extension team members attended the national Extension Foundation Impact Collaborative Summit in partnership with a local farmers’ market director to coordinate a Climate Resiliency themed farmers’ market outreach day for the public in July 2023, June 2024 and July 2025.

The events were successful with over 200 participants reached on-site at the farmers’ market with a theme of food waste and means of reducing our carbon footprint. We would like to continue this partnership to offer a fourth annual Climate Resiliency themed day in summer 2026 to highlight  food safety and emergency preparedness resources to the public. An intern will promote content from our EDEN network resources.

Learning Objectives:

• Improve knowledge of effective community public health nutrition approaches
• Increase presentation skills by co-teaching and teaching nutrition education to the public
• Increase knowledge of community public health curricula and resources

Career Development Objectives:

• Improve presentation skills
• Learn how to give and receive effective feedback from team members
• Improve communication skills

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

12 weeks total; Mondays 10am-4pm; Tuesdays 1pm-8pm (evening workshop); Wednesdays 9am-4pm (20 hours/week) x 10 weeks of programming, totaling 200 hours. 1 Saturday per month in June, July, and August. Saturday dates will be provided upon hire. 2 weeks of time off between May and August, to be approved by supervisor first as to not disrupt programming and prior community commitments.

Anticipated Start Date:  May 18, 2026, ends August 12, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

Fairfield County 4-H Program Intern

Location: Fairfield County Extension Center, Bethel, CT

Supervisor: Emily Picard

Position Description:

The Fairfield County 4-H Intern will gain hands-on experience in various aspects of 4-H and UConn Extension programming, with opportunities to contribute to the planning, marketing, and implementation of a range of community-focused events and activities. Key responsibilities will include assisting with the organization and execution of signature programs such as the 4-H Dog Show, the Fairfield County 4-H Fair, ag education programs at farmers markets, community-based special interest 4-H clubs, UConn 4-H Marine Science Day, and UConn Extension’s Bug Week. In this capacity, the intern will collaborate with faculty and staff to ensure seamless event management, including coordinating logistics, promoting programs, and engaging participants. The intern will also play a role in assisting with data collection and feedback gathering for program evaluation purposes, helping to assess the impact and effectiveness of these events.

The intern will have opportunities to engage with a variety of stakeholders, including youth, families, volunteers, and community partners. They will support the development of educational materials and resources, contribute to community outreach efforts, and gain practical experience in event marketing and promotion through social media and other channels. This role will allow the intern to enhance their skills in public speaking, communication, and team collaboration, as well as provide exposure to teaching, program evaluation, and the implementation of high-quality youth development programs.

Throughout the internship, the intern will have access to numerous learning and growth opportunities. By working alongside experienced Extension professionals, the intern will deepen their understanding of the career paths available within Extension, particularly in high-quality youth development and community outreach. Special interest 4-H clubs and programs will be aligned with the intern's personal career interests, allowing them to tailor their experience to their academic and professional goals. The intern will also be encouraged to engage in professional development opportunities, helping to expand their skill set in program planning, event management, and networking. Regular feedback from supervisor will provide structured guidance to foster growth and ensure a meaningful learning experience.

Note: Reliable transportation is required, as fieldwork will occur mostly within Fairfield County, away from the extension.

Learning Objectives:

• Design and produce at least five sets of instructional materials (e.g., lesson plans, activity guides, worksheets) for use in after-school special interest 4-H clubs.
• Independently plan and implement at least one 4-H high-quality youth development program, ensuring it includes a clear structure, learning objectives, and measurable outcomes using the Beyond Ready Program Checklist.
• Create a comprehensive promotional strategy for at least one 4-H program or event, incorporating both traditional and digital communication methods (e.g., flyers, social media posts, email campaigns).

Career Development Objectives:

• Actively participate in at least two networking opportunities (e.g., meetings, workshops, events) with UConn Extension staff, 4-H volunteers, and community partners to gain insight into career paths within Extension and youth development.
• Collaborate with at least three different professionals (e.g., 4-H staff, community partners, volunteers, or external stakeholders) on planning and implementing 4-H programs or events.
• Develop and reflect on professional communication skills used with different audiences in three settings by engaging with youth, volunteer, and community partners/industry professionals.

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Schedule will be based on program needs including some nights and weekend events including:

6/20/26 - Fairfield County 4-H Dog Show

June - UConn 4-H Marine Science Day

7/10/26 - 7/11/26 - Fairfield County 4-H Fair

7/12/26 - 7/18/26 UConn Extension Bug Week

Every Friday Monroe Farmers' Markets

Some Saturday's Danbury Farmers' Markets

Typical weekly schedule:

Thursday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (4 hours)

Friday 10:30 am - 6:30 pm (8 hours)

Saturday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (8 hours)

Anticipated Start Date:  June 1,, 2026, ends August 7, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

Engaging Youth in Place-Based STEM Through Drones and Digital Tools

Location: Hartford County Extension Center, Farmington, CT  & UConn Hartford Campus, Hartford, CT

Supervisor: Dr. Mayra Rodriguez Gonzalez

Position Description:

The student intern will play an integral role in a multi-state Extension project that develops educational resources and delivers programming for youth. The project centers on the application of drones and digital tools in environmental STEM careers, with a strong emphasis on place-based learning. The intern will help bridge technology and local ecosystems, connecting drone and digital tool use to the environmental and community contexts of the regions where programming is delivered. Unlike many drone-focused and digital forestry programs for youth that emphasize only technical skills, this project highlights community relevance and the value of local environmental knowledge.

The intern will be responsible for actively participating in monthly virtual partner meetings with multi-state collaborators. During these sessions, the intern will stay informed on project goals, timelines, and partner activities, contribute ideas, and help ensure that educational materials and programming reflect both technical and place-based learning objectives. This participation will provide the intern with experience in professional collaboration, communication, and cross-regional project planning.

In addition, the intern will assist in the creation of engaging digital educational resources, including story maps, short animated videos, drone flyover clips, and 3D models. These resources will be designed for youth audiences and will integrate environmental STEM content with local ecological and community relevance. By supporting the development and production of these materials, the intern will gain practical skills in digital content creation, instructional design, and translating complex technical concepts into accessible formats.

The intern will also support and deliver educational programming for youth in Connecticut, including in-person sessions where they guide youth participants in hands-on drone activities, STEM exploration, and place-based investigations. This responsibility provides valuable experience in youth engagement, teaching, and facilitation, while also fostering the intern’s ability to adapt lessons to different learning contexts. Mileage costs for travel to program sites will be covered by the supervisor’s program.

Finally, the intern is expected to report to the office during agreed work hours to collaborate with the team, complete assigned tasks, and contribute to project documentation. Through these responsibilities, the intern will develop professional skills in time management, project coordination, and reflective practice, preparing them for future roles in STEM education, environmental outreach, or related fields.

Learning Objectives:

• Drone technology and digital forestry proficiency: The intern will gain hands-on experience operating small drones safely and accurately, including takeoff, landing, and executing basic flight patterns, demonstrated through at least three supervised practice flights. Additionally, the intern will engage in aspects of digital forestry, such as creating 3D models from branch and/or canopy scans, enhancing their skills in applying technology to environmental data collection and analysis.

• Digital resource creation: The intern will acquire skills in designing and producing digital educational materials, creating at least two resources (e.g., story maps, animated clips, drone flyover videos, or 3D model GIFs) that effectively communicate environmental STEM concepts to youth.

• Youth engagement and instruction: The intern will develop instructional and facilitation skills by leading at least two educational sessions for youth, guiding participants in hands-on activities, and assessing learning by ensuring participants can explain.

Career Development Objectives:

• Professional collaboration: The intern will develop skills in collaborating with a multi-state team by actively participating in at least three virtual partner meetings, contributing ideas, and demonstrating understanding of project goals, processes, and team dynamics.
• Networking and mentorship: The intern will enhance their professional network and career knowledge by connecting with at least two STEM or drone-related professionals through guest interactions, shadowing, or informational interviews, and reflecting on insights gained about career pathways and professional practices.
• Project management experience: The intern will build project management expertise by taking responsibility for at least one component of project implementation (e.g., coordinating a youth session, managing digital resource production, or tracking data collection), demonstrating planning, organization, timely execution, and reflective evaluation of outcomes.

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Up to the student's preference, but within the schedule of M-F 9:30am-4:30pm.

Anticipated Start Date:  June 1, 2026, ends August 21, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

New Haven County 4-H Program Intern

Location: New Haven County Extension Center, North Haven, CT

Supervisor: Halie Shea

Position Description:

The New Haven County 4-H Program Intern will gain hands-on experience in delivering high-quality

youth development programming while supporting a wide range of 4-H activities. Key   responsibilities include designing and facilitating educational workshops, assisting with marketing and outreach efforts, and engaging directly with youth participants. Specific projects will be aligned with the intern’s interests and career goals to provide meaningful, relevant experience.

A major responsibility of this position will be supporting the planning and execution of the Middlesex and New Haven County 4-H Fair. This work will involve coordinating with planning committees, assisting with volunteer management, and helping to oversee event logistics. The intern will also collaborate with 4-H staff on program evaluation efforts and gather participant feedback to inform recommendations for program improvement.

Reliable transportation is preferred to ensure full participation in all aspects of 4-H program delivery. The primary worksite is the New Haven County Extension Center in North Haven, with additional locations including community program sites, the Middlesex County Extension Center in Haddam, and the Durham Fairgrounds in Durham, CT.

Learning Objectives:

• Plan and deliver at least one high-quality youth development program (workshop/ outreach activity / etc.).I
• Design 4-H recruitment and educational outreach materials.
• Identify high-quality youth development strategies and apply techniques to programming.

Career Development Objectives:

• Practice effective communication skills by collaborating with both youth and adults in diverse settings.
• Develop project and event management capabilities through fair planning and program coordination.
• Gather qualitative data (interviews/ focus groups) during the 4-H fair and organize findings into a report that can be used to improve future 4-H programming.

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

Work hours will be scheduled based on the needs of programing. While most work will take place between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, occasional evening and weekend hours are required. This includes participation in the 100th Middlesex & New Haven County 4-H Fair, July 31–August 2, 2026, as well as evening events such as fair association meetings and fair registration nights. Most weeks will consist of 15–20 hours. No single shift will exceed 8 hours, and no work week will exceed 40 hours.

Anticipated Start Date:  June 1,, 2026, ends August 7, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour

Strengthening Food Safety Knowledge and Practices in Organic Poultry and Produce Systems

Location: Tolland County Extension Center, Vernon, CT

Supervisor: Dr. Indu Upadhyaya

Position Description:

The intern will assist in advancing statewide education and outreach efforts focused on improving food safety knowledge and practices in organic poultry and produce systems. Under the guidance of the supervisor, the intern will gain hands-on experience in agricultural production environments by participating in farm visits, workshops, and demonstration events. The intern will observe on-farm biosecurity, sanitation, and produce handling practices, and help document these observations for Extension program evaluation purposes. This experience will offer valuable insights into how science-based food safety principles are implemented in real-world, small- and medium-scale farm settings. A key component of the internship will involve assisting with the development of engaging outreach and educational materials for farmers, youth, and community stakeholders. The intern will help

design factsheets, social media content, flyers, and visual displays that communicate best practices for organic poultry management and fresh produce handling. In addition, the intern will assist with 4-H activities and the setup of an educational booth at the Tolland County 4-H Fair, helping showcase Extension’s work in food safety and sustainable agriculture to youth and families. The intern will also support the coordination and delivery of other Extension workshops by preparing handouts, setting up demonstrations, and helping facilitate participant feedback and attendance tracking. These tasks will enhance the intern’s communication, event coordination, and community engagement skills—important competencies for a future career in Extension, public health, or agricultural outreach.

Throughout the internship, the student will work closely with the supervisor and team members to record weekly progress, reflect on learning outcomes, and contribute to program evaluation efforts. Opportunities will be provided to attend stakeholder meetings, observe interdisciplinary collaborations, and participate in professional development discussions related to food safety, sustainability, and agricultural education. The intern will also complete reflective assignments required for AHNR 3681 and receive regular mentorship and feedback.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the internship, the student will be able to identify and document at least five key biosecurity and sanitation practices used in organic poultry and produce systems and explain how these practices reduce food safety risks on farms.
• The intern will develop at least three educational materials (e.g., factsheets, posters, or social media posts) that translate technical food safety information into clear, accessible messages for farmers, 4-H youth, and consumers, demonstrating proficiency in science communication and outreach design.
• The intern will accurately record and summarize program participation and evaluation data from at least two Extension events (e.g., workshops or fairs), demonstrating skills in observation, data organization, and use of simple evaluation tools to assess program effectiveness.

Career Development Objectives:

• The student will have participated in at least three professional interactions (e.g., stakeholder meetings, 4-H Fair, or Extension workshops) where they introduce themselves, engage with producers or youth participants, and effectively communicate the goals of UConn Extension programs.
• The intern will demonstrate the ability to independently manage components of assigned outreach activities, such as preparing educational materials, coordinating setup for events, or assisting with booth logistics, and will complete these tasks within agreed timelines in at least two separate Extension events or assignments.
• The intern will complete weekly/ biweekly reflection logs and a final summary report

connecting internship experiences to their academic major and future career interests, identifying at least three transferable skills (e.g., leadership, teamwork, communication) gained through Extension-based experiential learning.

Required Internship Components:

Interns will be enrolled in AHNR 3681. This zero-credit course is intended for students seeking an affiliation with the university when on a non-academic internship. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this course will receive a grade of Satisfactory on their UConn transcript. Intern supervisors will oversee the course requirements and ensure interns are completing course assignments and deadlines:

1. Learning Agreement
2. Mid-summer evaluation
3. End of Summer Evaluation
4. AGNR 3681 Course Requirements: Reflection paper and updated résumé

Schedule/Hours:

The intern will work weekly from 10 am to 2 pm, tentatively for 5 days, accounting for approximately 20 hrs/week.

Anticipated Start Date:  June 1, 2026, ends August 15, 2026.

Hourly Rate:  $17.70/ hour