I had the pleasure of undertaking my practicum at The Tsongas Industrial History Center this fall. Now the Center is looking for new interns to join the team. I had a fantastic time at TIHC this fall and would recommend interning here for all students looking for an upcoming practicum opportunity. I was given many opportunities to sit in on organizational and planning meetings as well as got to understand how successful partnerships can work. This is a great opportunity for a self started that would like to see the behind the scenes activities of an educational organization. Below is a description of the Practicum Opportunity.

The Tsongas Industrial History Center (TIHC) is an education partnership between the University of Massachusetts Lowell College of Education and Lowell National Historical Park. TIHC is a hands-on center where students learn about the American Industrial Revolution through activities and tours of the sites where history—and science—happened. Students “do history” by weaving, working on an assembly line, role-playing immigrants, voting in a town meeting, or becoming inventors. Students can also “do science” as they use the engineering design process, manipulate simple machines, create canal systems and test water wheels, measure water quality, trace the flow of groundwater pollution, or discover river cleanup techniques.

TIHC interns gain valuable experience working with a team of professional museum educators in a dynamic learning environment. Interns also have the opportunity to work with other Lowell National Historical Park departments, including Interpretation and Cultural Resources.

TIHC intern projects include:

* Assisting with the development and evaluation of hands-on interactives for the Boott Cotton Mills Museum.

* Developing teaching activities/materials (e.g., primary-source-based activities, vocabulary lists, historical fiction/non-fiction supplements, interdisciplinary lesson plans).

* Assisting with the redevelopment of existing school programs to meet new Massachusetts Social Studies Frameworks.

If Interested contact Kristin Gallas at Kristin_Gallas@uml.edu