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# Youth Programs

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The Smithsonian offers fun and challenging experiences for K-12 kids interested in science, nature, technology, art , design, history, culture, or all of the above. These programs build confidence and skills of self-expression, communication, leadership, and provide college and career preparation in extraordinary museum environments.
Natural History Investigations
Explore the world of natural history science in a fun and interactive way in these after school programs! Learn from museum scientists and educators, gain natural history science and tech skills, and visit exclusive behind-the-scenes areas of the museum.**Grades 9-12**
Learn more aboutNatural History InvestigationsYouth Engagement through Science (YES!) Internship Program
YES! is a 12-week career immersion and science communication program for Washington, D.C., region high school students. Gain practical experience through a hands-on internship with Smithsonian science staff, take exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and field trips, attend creative studio workshops, participate in a college preparatory program and create a community outreach project about their science experience.**Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors**
Learn more aboutYouth Engagement through Science (YES!) Internship ProgramYouth Engagement through Science Genome Internship Program
Youth Engagement through Science (YES!) is a career immersion and science communication internship for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from high schools in the Washington, D.C., region. Working side-by-side with Smithsonian science staff and researchers, the YES! program familiarizes local youth with science resources, and can help them achieve the goal of attending college.**Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors**
Learn more aboutYouth Engagement through Science Genome Internship ProgramTeen Council: Freer | Sackler
Teen Council is a group of 12 creative and dedicated high school students who help make our museums more welcoming and engaging for young people. The Teen Council plans and hosts events that invite D.C.-area teens to hang out and have fun, make art, and build an incredible community together at the museum.**Ages 13-19**
Learn more aboutTeen Council: Freer | Sackler Teen Council: National Portrait Gallery
Teen Museum Council is an intensive year-long program for D.C. Metro area teens who would like a role making teen programs at the Portrait Gallery! Throughout the  academic year, TMC members work on a variety of activities for other DC-area teens, such as creating a teen art exhibition, organizing a teen night out, collaborating on social media projects, initiating a video project, or offering a special teen-led tour of the Portrait Gallery. Come help us make history!**Ages 14-18**
Learn more aboutTeen Council: National Portrait GalleryTeen Ambassadors Program: African Art
The Teen Ambassadors is the National Museum of African Art’s signature teen program. It's an opportunity for teens in the D.C. metro area with an interest in the arts, culture and history of Africa to learn to serve as frontline interpreters at the museum. Our Teen Ambassadors serve as storytellers and meaning-makers in the Museum environment, providing programming to a wide variety of visitors.
Learn more aboutTeen Ambassadors Program: African ArtCooper Hewitt Design Scholars
Get a head start on a future in design! Teens in New York City can apply to be a DesignPrep Scholar, a free program that features hands-on workshops with professional designers, design studio visits, and college tours.​**Rising High School Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors**
Learn more aboutCooper Hewitt Design ScholarsYoung Ambassadors Program
The Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a national program for graduating high school seniors, fostering the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities via the Smithsonian Institution and its resources. Students with an interest in and commitment to the arts, sciences, and humanities as it pertains to Latino communities and cultures are selected to travel to Washington, D.C., for a week-long seminar at the Smithsonian.**Graduating high school seniors**
Learn more aboutYoung Ambassadors ProgramNational Air and Space Museum Summer Volunteer Program
This program at the National Air and Space Museum is for students interested in aviation, astronomy, and space exploration who enjoy interacting with people. Conduct a variety of educational activities with Museum visitors: hands-on discovery stations, telescopes at the Public Observatory, story time with young children, and Welcome Desk. Work 2 days each week, and presents a simple research project about an artifact at the Museum.**16+ years-old; primarily high school and college students**
Learn more aboutNational Air and Space Museum Summer Volunteer ProgramQ?Crew Teen Volunteer Program
Are you interested in science? Do you like talking to people? Are you a teen? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you might be a good fit for the all-teen volunteer squad—the Q?Crew Program at the National Museum of Natural History.**Grades 9-11**
Learn more aboutQ?Crew Teen Volunteer ProgramExplainers Program
The NASM Explainers Program hires high school and college students to help visitors better understand the Museum’s collection, making person-to-person connections with our iconic artifacts and stories about the science and technology that make innovation possible. Explainers work at either the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., or at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.**16 years and older**
Learn more aboutExplainers ProgramWorkshopsHirshhorn Teens
Are you a teen creator or maker looking to build your skills? The Hirshhorn Museum offers creative arts programs for teens ages thirteen to nineteen. Since 2011, the Hirshhorn has given teens free access to the latest technology and artmaking materials with programming from working artists.. **Ages 13-19**
Learn more aboutHirshhorn TeensCampsSmithsonian Summer Camp Youth Teaching Assistants
The Youth Teaching Assistant (YTA) Program for Smithsonian Summer Camp provides an extraordinary way for teens to get involved with the Smithsonian while earning community service credits. YTAs  are introduced to the world of teaching while supporting Summer Camp instructors. YTAs befriend, help, and act as role models to young campers. A wide range of programs offer YTAs the opportunity to experience and learn about new subject areas or increase and share their understanding of a more familiar subject such as art, science, or theater. This volunteer position is available on a weekly basis June-August when Summer Camp is in session. Smithsonian Summer Camp takes place on the National Mall in the S. Dillon Ripley Center, unless otherwise stated.**Ages 15 and older**
Learn more aboutSmithsonian Summer Camp Youth Teaching AssistantsSmithsonian Summer Camp
There's no more exciting place to spend the summer than Summer Camp at the Smithsonian. Where else can campers blast into space or take center stage, create a masterpiece or invent a fantasy world, relive history or learn to shape the future of the planet? The rich and exciting world of the Smithsonian Summer Camp program offers plenty of great fun and experiences that spark the imagination!**Entering Kindergarten through 9th grade**
Learn more aboutSmithsonian Summer CampCamps at the National Zoo
Explore the lives, habitats and conservation of animals around the world. Camps are offered throughout the year!**Grades K-7**
Learn more aboutCamps at the National ZooDesign Camp: Cooper Hewitt
Is your child a designer, tinkerer, or creative thinker? Cooper Hewitt Design Camp (NYC) offers kids week-long immersion in the latest advances in design, with the opportunity for each child to solve real-life design challenges with guest designers who share problem-solving strategies. Campers receive special access to the museum’s special exhibitions and permanent collections.**Ages 7-12**
Learn more aboutDesign Camp: Cooper HewittYoung LearnersPreschool and Homeschool Classes at the National Zoo
Looking to make science come to life for your young animal lover? Friends of the National Zoo runs weekly classes for children ages 2-13.  Bring your toddler to learn about a new animal friend each week or enrich your homeschooler’s science curriculum with our unique 5-week class series.  All classes include age-appropriate hands-on activities and explorations, craft projects, and walks through the Zoo.  **Ages 2-13**
Learn more aboutPreschool and Homeschool Classes at the National ZooMuseum Academy Program
The Anacostia Community Museum offers a model out-of-school-time (OST) integrated program. The Museum Academy delivers an experiential cultural arts education that challenges young people's perceptions, broadens their perspectives, and deepens understanding by examining issues affecting communities in Anacostia and throughout the world.**During school year, Grades 3-6 residing in Ward 8; During summer, Grade 6**
Learn more aboutMuseum Academy ProgramTravelSmithsonian Student Travel
Curious to explore more and dive deeper into your passions? Expand your horizons with Smithsonian Student Travel! Developed for students completing 8th through 12th grade, our immersive programs provide opportunities to explore an interest along-side a community of peers, get inspired by unique experiences, and gain the tools necessary to help impact our future. A Smithsonian Student Travel Expert will accompany a portion of each trip to share their knowledge, insights, and passion about the regions and the trip themes.**Completing grades 8-12**
Learn more aboutSmithsonian Student Travel- For Caregivers
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