Hawaii Keiki Museum - Waikoloa

Mentor: Dana McLaughlin

STEM Fields: Oceanography, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Arts, Physics, Astronomy, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Drones, Robots, Building Science and more!

Internship Research Goal: Working hands-on with museum exhibits about island science, interns will help us capture the stories, and describe how specific exhibits inspire curiosity and deepen understanding for keiki and their caregivers. Notice areas for improvement and develop actionable suggestions to problem solve common issues. 

Museum logoAbout Hawaii Keiki Museum – Waikoloa

 The Hawai’i Keiki Museum is a children’s science discovery center that welcomes audiences of all ages and abilities to discover Island Science. It is a non-profit corporation, a grass-roots effort, started by the local community to increase STEM opportunities for island keiki. There is a common sentiment that it’s hard to have a STEM career on the Big Island, which dampens enthusiasm for STEM learning. On this island, science is literally “all around us”. There are many opportunities for island keiki to become leaders in STEM industries – right here. It is critical that we show the keiki that opportunities here on the Big Island not only exist, they are exciting.

Person smilingMeet Our Internship Mentor: Dana McLaughlin

Founder/Executive Director: Dana McLaughlin started combining technology and early child development while a student working on robotics at the MIT Media Lab. She has an MBA from San Jose State and has worked as a technology program manager for Walt Disney, Yahoo! and Apple. She has a lifetime of experience teaching teens and running a non-profit as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol.

Internship duties and responsibilities

As an “Ambassador of Curiosity” you will become familiar with all the exhibits, their learning goals, and be able to guide patrons to explore and engage with them, inspiring wonder, and sparking curiosity:

  • Monitor exhibits & guide patrons toward safe play
  • Assist with on-loan special exhibits, shows, and presentations
  • Daily cleaning tasks for the exhibits, gift shop shelves and floors
  • Perform opening and closing duties and other daily operations
  • Support special events 
  • Work as a team and fill in at the Front Desk when needed

Interns should be able to:

  •  Engage with visitors of all ages, adapting language and explanations to be accessible, friendly, and informative, creating an aloha environment.
  • Maintain a positive attitude while managing changing priorities or unexpected challenges.
  • Quickly address visitor inquiries, concerns, or exhibit issues with calm and resourcefulness, escalating to a supervisor when necessary.
  • Sustain enthusiasm and energy throughout shifts, working effectively in a lively, sometimes crowded, sometimes empty setting with patience and professionalism.
  • Perform physical duties, including moving light equipment or assisting with exhibit set-up, as needed, ensuring safety and care in handling museum property.

2025 Internship Schedule:

  • Spring 2025:
    • Virtual: March 8th, 9 – 11am 
    • In-person: TBD
  • Summer 2025: 
    • Wednesday, June 25, 10am – 3pm
    • Thursday, June 26, 9:15am – 2:15pm
    • Friday, June 27, 9:15am – 2:15pm OR 3pm – 8pm 
    • Saturday, June 28, 10am – 3pm OR 3pm – 8pm OR Sunday, June 29, 10am – 3pm OR 3pm – 8pm
    • Monday, June 30, 9:15am – 2:15pm
    • Tuesday, July 1, 9:15am – 2:15pm
    • Wednesday, July 2, 9:15am – 2:15pm
    • Thursday, July 3, 9:15am – 2:15pm
  • Internship wrap-up and ho’ike preparation (Virtual): 8am-4:30pm

    *Schedules are tentative and are subject to change. Interns will be required to work 8 hours in the Spring 2025. Interns will be required to work 40 hours in the Summer 2025.

Internship Meeting Locations:
The Kings’ Shops
69-250 Waikoloa Beach Dr.