About

The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is not a traditional summer pre-college program; instead it is a multi-year, year-round paid science internship and youth development experience for high school students who live in San Francisco and attend San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) schools. Established in 1996, CiS is designed to foster long-term engagement with science, teaching, and career development for students who might otherwise have limited access to professional STEM environments. Interns are paid above minimum wage and commit to the program from rising 9th or 10th grade through high school graduation, working on Saturdays during the academic year and weekdays in the summer. There is no tuition or application fee, and completion of an in-person group interview is part of the application process, which runs annually from February through April. Eligibility requires a valid work permit, evidence of academic readiness (minimum GPA and science/math grades), and the ability to commute to the Academy for in-person activities.

Interns engage in a combination of hands-on fieldwork, science communication, and public education at the Academy — a complex that houses an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum — supporting exhibits, facilitating learning experiences for visitors, and exploring diverse biological systems. Training includes interactive workshops, science talks, professional panels, and skills development sessions that build communication, critical thinking, and workplace readiness. As interns advance, they may join project groups with Academy researchers or external partners on real scientific research and environmental action projects, and they can participate in college tours, STEM conferences, and leadership councils. Unlike short-term summer camps or enrichment programs, CiS positions students as paid contributors to scientific learning and outreach within a major research and public education institution. Because the program’s structure requires consistent involvement over multiple years, it cultivates both deep scientific engagement and practical professional skills.