Science Education Apprenticeship program

This opportunity is aimed at recent college graduates interested in exploring environmental and science education. Experience working in the field is desired but not mandatory; similarly, an undergraduate degree in the sciences will help you but is not required. We do ask that you have a demonstrated interest in and enthusiasm for both science and teaching though! If you are curious about informal teaching, education research, communicating natural history and scientific information, and leading a diverse set of programs for a diverse set of audiences, this might be a great opportunity for you! See the Qualifications dropdown for more details.

Cedar Creek is home to the world’s longest-running biodiversity experiment, which has revealed that plant diversity substantially increases ecosystem productivity and stability. It is the differences and interactions between species that produce an ecosystem that is greater than the sum of its parts. In parallel lines of research, social scientists have found that human diversity can enhance the learning, outcomes, and creativity of teams. When these benefits of diversity are combined with equity and inclusion, individuals and teams can thrive. Because we know firsthand the value in an individual's lived experiences, unique skills, and cultural background, we particularly encourage applications from folks who identify as underrepresented in the sciences — this could be in terms of race, ethnicity, linguistic background, gender identity, physical ability, or other facets of identity. One of Cedar Creek’s DEIJ goals is to increase the diversity of both the people who attend our public programs and of those who lead them — we know that "seeing yourself" in the identity and lived experiences of the adult leading your program can be an important and life-changing moment for a participant! 

Summer

Your first few months will be a crash course in many topics! You’ll learn about Cedar Creek’s landscape, science, and mission through field tours, brown bag seminars, and meetings with staff and researchers. You will gain experience teaching by shadowing experienced educators, assisting with on- and off-site summer programs, and learning how to deliver our standard lesson plans and activities. In July, you will attend the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research annual meeting in Minneapolis and learn from professionals about this type of science. You’ll also begin attending long-running community events and getting to know the general flow of logistics for public programs at a busy field station. We know this is a lot — don’t worry! There will also be time built in for reflection, downtime, and community building.

Ongoing

After the summer, your day-to-day work will be interspersed with training. This will likely include attending a Minnesota Master Naturalist Certification course, visiting other informal education facilities around the area (e.g., Bell Natural History Museum, Hoċokata Ṫi, Science Museum of Minnesota, Wargo Nature Center), attending scientific lectures by Zoom or on the St. Paul campus, and attending local conferences (e.g., annual gatherings of the Minnesota Naturalist Association, Minnesota Indian Education Association, etc.). You will also be assigned readings on relevant topics and have opportunities to discuss and reflect on them with the rest of the education team.

Most Cedar Creek staff work from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., five days a week. Many of your responsibilities as an apprentice will fall in these hours as well, including most K-12 field trips, seminars and learning opportunities, team meetings, and more. However, some responsibilities fall on weekends and evenings: apprentices should expect to work around two weekend days per month, as well as one to two evening shifts for programs (astronomy star parties, night hikes, etc.). We encourage and advocate for work/life balance, so weekly and monthly schedules will be structured to average 35-40 hours per week (e.g., Monday off if you work Saturday, late start if you work an evening shift). Schedules will be co-developed by you and your supervisor in conversation with other naturalists and your fellow apprentice.

Apprentices are expected to complete a minimum of 1,800 hours of work over the 12-month apprenticeship. There are many ways to structure these hours to allow for time off, flexibility in schedules, etc. (e.g., around 50 weeks at 36 hours/week, or around 45 weeks of 40 hours/week) while meeting this minimum.

Cedar Creek’s staff are experts in their fields. Your supervisors, colleagues, and mentors will be people with graduate degrees in fields like ecology, evolutionary biology, and science education, and with decades of experience teaching, doing field biology, and connecting with communities. You will have many opportunities, both formal and informal, to learn about career paths, do informational interviews, receive feedback, and more. Cedar Creek is a great place to start your career!

Compensation

Apprentices will receive a $1,325/month stipend. Shared housing is available at Cedar Creek at no cost to apprentices, and we encourage you to consider this as an option — minimal commute time, easy access to nature and outdoor recreation, and being an active part of our rich social community in the summer are just a few perks! Those who choose to live elsewhere will receive an additional $300/month (the equivalent cost of our covered housing) to offset other housing costs. Health insurance and other benefits are not provided but may be available through MinnesotaCare. Schedules will be structured to allow for vacation and other time off.

In addition to your stipend, you will also receive paid CPR and first aid training, discounts on outdoor gear and equipment, registration for at least one relevant local conference, and access to Cedar Creek’s canoes, bikes, snowshoes, and other equipment.

Housing

Housing at Cedar Creek is in 2 to 5-bedroom lodges with a shared kitchen, dining room, living room, laundry, and multiple bathrooms. You will have 0-1 roommates — during the summer season when Cedar Creek is bursting at the seams with researchers, you likely will share a room either with another apprentice or with a graduate student. Outside of the field season, you likely will have your own room in the shared house. Each bedroom has two mattresses and beds, a lamp, a fan, and a dresser/storage area. Free Wi-Fi is available across our main campus, including in the lodges. Perishable food supplies are not provided (you must do your own grocery shopping), but lodge kitchens come equipped with dishes, utensils, pots, pans, a coffeemaker, fridges, freezers, a dishwasher, pantry storage area, etc.

Essential Qualifications: 

• Able to commit to working August 18, 2025 through August 14, 2026
• Reliable way to be physically present at Cedar Creek (East Bethel, MN) on a daily basis (access to transportation or ability to live on-site)
• Interest in or experience working with youth in grades K-12
• Interest in or experience delivering science content to the general public
• Completion of at least 4 credit hours of natural science courses like biology, chemistry, ecology, natural resources, etc. by start date (please provide unofficial or official transcript)
• Comfortable in water and able to lead groups on hikes of up to three miles
• Comfort in outdoor settings for long periods in a variety of weather conditions and proximity to insects, reptiles, and other wildlife
• High level of self-motivation and enthusiasm
• Willingness to try and learn new things
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends
• Ability to pass a background check 

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Background and/or degree in ecology, conservation biology, science education, or K-12 education
• Experience leading and managing groups of up to 30 students indoors and outdoors, in inclement weather, and sensitive research areas
• Related experience as a naturalist, interpreter, camp counselor, trip leader, or other leadership roles
• Public speaking experience
• Ability to live on-site in shared housing
• Valid U.S. driver's license and/or reliable access to personal transportation
• Spanish language skills

If you have questions after reviewing the information provided on this page, please email Dr. Kara Baldwin ([email protected]), Cedar Creek's Education and Community Engagement Coordinator. She can also be reached by phone at 612-301-2602.