The Thompson Earth Systems Institute is hiring an undergraduate student to support an ongoing grant, Community Action Projects for the Environment (CAPE). CAPE helps youth learn more about local environmental issues, select one to explore, and effectively voice suggestions for change to community decision makers. The grant is intended to support museums, science centers, and other informal science settings as they facilitate CAPE programs with their youth groups. As part of the grant, we are collecting data on how the educators’ perceive their ability to facilitate civic action projects and plan to write a case study report.
Position summary
This position will be responsible for supporting the CAPE program and the educators facilitating CAPE programs with their youth. This person will assist with the development of a case study article that describes the CAPE method and includes interviews from educators who have been facilitating the program with youth in their science centers. Additionally, the person hired in this position will have the opportunity to travel to a workshop in south Florida to help to assist with data collection and training of new educators. This position will also assist with the analysis of the data collected. If interested, you would then have the opportunity to help with conference presentations as well. This grant will run through October 15, 2026 so there will be the potential for the position to run through the summer and into fall based on spring performance.
Basic duties
- Interviewing former CAPE facilitators.
- Drafting a case study article that helps others facilitate CAPE programs with youth.
- Supporting grant participants as they facilitate civic engagement programs with youth ages 11-18 by answering questions and identifying resources
- Assisting with data analysis
- Collaborating on conference presentations and publications as interested
- Attend and assist with a training workshop in south Florida (optional)
Eligibility
This position is open to UF undergraduates in their sophomore, junior, or senior year interested in gaining research, writing, and project management experience. Candidates must have an interest in learning about data collection and analysis as well as how to support a community of practice. Team members will gain mentoring in educational research such as data collection, data management, data analysis, and science communication.
Minimum qualifications
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Background or strong interest in civic engagement, environmental sustainability, museums, or science communication
- Basic knowledge of spreadsheet software
- Attention to detail
Pay Rate
This position pays $17/hour for 10 hours a week.
Position location
The position will be located in the Thompson Earth Systems Institute office suite at:
McGuire Hall
3215 Hull Rd
Gainesville, FL 32611
Hours
The schedule is flexible but I request you be available for at least two hour chunks at a time 9-4 Monday-Friday.
Desired Start Date
January 12, 2025
Hiring of this position is contingent upon receipt of grant funds.
About the Thompson Earth Systems Institute
The University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute is advancing communication and education about Earth systems science in a way that inspires Floridians to be effective stewards of our planet. Housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History, our vision is to lead the way to a healthier planet by cultivating a responsible and curious society that values, trusts and has access to science.
If you are interested, please fill out this form by December 1. You must be logged into your UF google account to access the application form.
Feel free to reach out to Dr. Megan Ennes at megan.ennes@ufl.edu with any questions.