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Youth

New York State Museum Celebrates Summer Youth Internship Program's Success

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The New York State Museum, in collaboration with the City of Albany's LIGHT Youth Employment Program, has concluded its 2025 summer youth internship program with a vibrant, three-day public event. High school students from Albany showcased their interactive, pop-up programs for families and young visitors, offering fresh hands-on ways to explore New York's history, science, and culture. This event celebrated the end of a six-week paid internship that brought 13 local students, ages 16 to 18, into the Museum through partnerships with the LIGHT Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and the Girls Inc. Eureka! program.

Key Takeaways:

  • 13 high school students from Albany participated in the six-week paid internship program, working alongside museum professionals to gain valuable behind-the-scenes experience and create engaging programs for the public.
  • Students worked 20 hours per week, earning $15.50 an hour, and collaborated with over 15 Museum content specialists as well as the Education Office to build meaningful, research-based programming.
  • The summer programming series drew dozens of families over three days, engaging visitors in everything from fossil exploration to cultural artifacts and interactive science demonstrations.
  • The City of Albany's LIGHT Summer Youth Employment Program connects youth ages 14-18 with paid work experiences that foster career readiness, civic engagement, and academic growth.
  • Girls Inc. Eureka! is a free, five-year program that introduces girls to STEM, personal development, fitness, and career exploration.
  • The New York State Museum is home to over 20 million artifacts spanning 1.1 billion years ago to today, representing the State's rich cultural and natural heritage.

Statistics:

  • 13 students participated in the six-week paid internship program.
  • Students worked 20 hours per week at $15.50 an hour.
  • Over 15 Museum content specialists and Education Office contributed to the program.
  • Dozens of families engaged with the summer programming series over three days.
  • The New York State Museum has over 20 million artifacts in its collection.
  • The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sources:

  • New York State Education Department
  • New York State Museum
  • City of Albany's LIGHT Summer Youth Employment Program
  • Girls Inc. Eureka! program
  • New York State Museum's website

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