Specialized Interest Internships

A specialized interest placement can be made, based on the MAT candidate's specific area of interest in education.  These could include interests such as: an art museum, a science or outdoor education center, an experiential school, an English Language Learners program, a special needs classroom, an arts integration school, a music conservatory, a counseling center…)  Research on the topic/project idea for the site will begin in June and will count as the research required for the Masters Degree; the placement would be full-time with the Community Partner in April and May. 

Project ideas from the community partners are listed below, but will be confirmed through conversations between all involved this spring. 

Catamount Institute: Field Trip Educator - help schedule, teach, organize volunteers, and write lesson plans for Catamount field trips.

Challenger Learning Center  integrates the excitement of space with age-appropriate missions to engage the imagination.  This facility simulates problem solving in a realistic NASA model facility. The program integrates closely with STEM programs in participating schools.

Colorado Literacy and Learning Center

Colorado Springs Conservatory: Design and implement surveys to measure the impact of a school partnership with Harrison D2; Study how to deepen or replicated the current programs with Harrison D2 students.

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center: Historical research for digital/interactive display; develop interactive educational activities for all ages and develop lessons for youth programs.

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum: Develop online resources, lesson plans, and guides for teachers; develop self-guided activities for visiting school groups; develop pre and post visit guides for educators (activity suggestions, vocabulary, logistical details, application of academic standards, etc.); prepare and lead training for docents on techniques for engaging students in an exhibit.

Cottonwood Center for the Arts

Eagleview Middle School: Spanish immersion program support; Long term outcomes of Arts Integration; Sustainability in partnering with community and businesses; Curriculum development in other arts integrated schools. Academy School District 20

Expeditionary Learning: EL schools focus all content of the curriculum around major themes or expeditions (ex. The Importance of Water) and use those themes for true interdisciplinary learning that encourages students and adults to become leaders of their own learning. Trips are frequently used to bring the curriculum added richness.

• • Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning:  A K-8 school northeast of Colorado Springs
  • Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning: A K-12 school in Denver with a long history on this model.

Harrison School District 2

• • Atlas Preparatory School (charter school, grades 5-8)
  • Pikes Peak Elementary
  • Sand Creek Elementary: Use of technology to analyze lesson delivery; Improving instruction for English language learners; Providing 21st Century instruction through the use of technology; College and career readiness.
  • Turman Elementary
  • Mountain Vista K-8 School: Community garden; Advisory for middle school; CSD autism meeting social and emotional needs with peers; Individualized tech learning using laptops and iPads; ELD (English Language Development) academic language K-8 students; GT kids, acceleration and social emotional needs; Success for boys through mentorship; Early childhood reading.
  • Fox Meadow Middle School

High Trails Outdoor Education Center: Hosts schools for a 2-5 day residential program and provides outreach to the classroom.  Curruculum is integrated into Discovery Groups which utilize the rich geographic and cultural landscape of the camp, to immerse the learners in role playing and imaginative learning.  

Peak Education

Semester Schools: Provide a theme based approach to a semester for students in their junior year of high school.  The schools use the natural environment of their region to provide integrated curriculum and place based opportunity such as back packing, mountaineering.

• • High Mountain Institute: Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, HMI taps into the natural areas of Colorado and Utah to provide its outdoor adventure component.

STEM Schools (Science Technology Engineering & Math) 

• • STEM Magnet Lab School (K-8)
  • Northglenn High School STEM
    
    

Venetucci Farm: Teaching groups of students visiting Venetucci Farm and Pinello Ranch; Creating curriculum and activities for classes and pre & post activities for the classroom; Gathering feedback from program participants; Other projects of interest to the intern.