Fall 2026 and Spring 2027: Active Learning Program Opportunities

The Active Learning Program (ALP) partners with UF faculty and local organizations to help undergraduate students develop into skilled early-career professionals. The goals are to:

• Develop students’ academic potential and professional skill sets while helping them define their personal and professional mission, values, and strengths.
• Advance UF research and community-based projects.

Course Information

Our Fall and Spring semesters meet in person, so you must be eligible for in-person classes, and you must not have any other classes scheduled during the course section times on One.uf [Wednesdays, Period 8 – 10 (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)].

Internship and research projects may operate in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid format—check each project’s format before applying.

If you accept an internship position, you can expect 5 hours per week of internship or research work and 2 hours per week of coursework.

Through our program, you will:

1. Gain valuable, mentored internship/research experience and knowledge in your chosen career field.
2. Develop your identity as a competent early-career professional while constructing a cohesive personal-professional brand aligned with your mission, values, and strengths.
3. Strengthen your collaboration, communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
4. Create professional deliverables useful for your internship/research experience and future career opportunities.

As you browse the opportunities, remember that ALP is both an internship or research program and a 4000-level, 3-credit professional development course.

Enrollment Note: Students cannot self-enroll through One.UF. Upon accepting an internship, our administrator will enroll you in the ALP (IDS 4940) course.

Application Information

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled—some fill quickly. Applying earlier increases your chances of securing an internship/research position.

To apply, email Glen Billesbach: gbillesbach@ufl.edu. Include your top three ranked preferences, an explanation of why you would be a good fit for each, and a resume.

Project Directory – Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

Projects are listed alphabetically below. To find opportunities that match your goals, scan the titles, descriptions, and internship tasks—look for themes like education, community outreach, data analysis, public health, STEM, environmental issues, or youth development.

1. Advancing Global Food Systems Institute Initiatives (GFSI)
2. African Diaspora in America Project
3. ARTSPEAKS GNV Project (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)
4. Bailey Community Arts and Education Internship
5. Career Educator Mentorship Project
6. Catalyzing a Career in Research Administration (Spring 2027 only)
7. Center for Precollegiate Education and Training
8. College PASS Project- Education Equalizers Foundation
9. Community Outreach & Branding the Scallop Republic Micronation
10. Enhancing Volunteer Education and Citizen Science Through Applied Digital Tools
11. Ethics in the Public Sphere Project
12. Flood Resilient Communities
13. Florida Floodplain Management for Risk Reduction and Loss Prevention
14. H2OSAV: Water Savings, Analytics & Verification
15. Health Literacy and Patient Portal Use Research (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)
16. Honey Bee Research, Extension & Science Communication
17. Insect Vectors and Public Health
18. Insightful Analysis Solutions Project (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)
19. KidzHack Project – Creating a Vibe
20. Plenty of Pit Bulls Project (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)
21. STEM by Design: Creating Future-Ready Middle School Kits & Courses
22. Storiza: Improving Reading Through Learning Experience Design (Fall only)
23. UnMask JOY Project (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)
24. Water Education and Science Communication
25. Weather Extremes Risk Assessment and System Resilience Analysis

Project Descriptions – Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

1. Advancing Global Food Systems Institute Initiatives (GFSI)

UF/IFAS GFSI

Internship Format:
Interns will primarily work remotely.

Internship Tasks:
Literature reviews; research coordination; meeting scheduling and agenda preparation; taking and distributing meeting minutes; drafting funding-ready project concepts; website updates (T4); newsletter writing and communications; maintaining the Opportunities Dashboard; data collection and basic data analysis; outreach and awareness activities; event planning, implementation, and evaluation (including World Food Day and the Future of Food Forum); providing administrative and project support to the GFSI leadership team.

Project Description:
The UF/IFAS Global Food Systems Institute (GFSI) is a university-wide institute that advances resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems through research, education, Extension, and international collaboration. Interns work with faculty and Regional Working Groups focused on Latin America, the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and South and Southeast Asia, supporting research development, funding initiatives, communications, and strategic planning. Students gain experience in international program support, research coordination, digital communications, and event planning while contributing to projects such as faculty newsletters, the Opportunities Dashboard, World Food Day activities, and the Future of Food Forum. The internship provides hands-on experience working with multidisciplinary teams addressing global food and nutrition security, environmental sustainability, and international development.

2. African Diaspora in America Project

African History Makers Digital Archive (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Both in-person and remote; all internship duties will be conducted on-campus or remotely.

Internship Tasks:
Literature review, attending meetings, direct contact with community members, conducting interviews, archival research.

Project Description:
The research objective of the program is to document the contributions of African History Makers in America. An expected outcome is a short biography for each identified African History Maker. The working definition of “History Maker” is an individual who modifies history, impacting knowledge and societies. The ultimate goal of the program is to create an African History Makers Digital Archive.

3. ARTSPEAKS GNV Project (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)

ARTSPEAKS GNV Inc. (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Both in-person and remote; most activities are remote, but interns may be asked to assist off-campus, typically no farther than downtown Gainesville (approximately 1.5 miles from campus).

Internship Tasks:
Community outreach, educational development, promoting/creating promotional materials, hands-on experience, event planning, fundraising, direct community contact, website development, communication support (emailing, phone, promotional materials), project design, presentation design and presenting, social media management.

Project Description:
ARTSPEAKS is dedicated to promoting literacy through Poetry, Spoken-Word, Storytelling, Creative Writing, and other forms of Artistic Expression. It promotes well-being by encouraging creativity, raising awareness, expanding ideas, and providing safe mediums for expression. It also promotes healthy communities at the intersection of art and mental health, exploring therapeutic uses of poetry, storytelling, creative writing, literature, and visual art.

Interns will improve ARTSPEAKS’ digital and social media infrastructure by assessing current website and social media platforms. They will also assist in creating, organizing, promoting, communicating, and executing Poetry Events, Humanities Projects, and other community events, such as: ARTSPEAKS: Bringing Poetry & People Together; ARTSPEAKS: Courageous Young Voices; & 4th Annual BARD & Broadside: North Florida Poetry Festival.

4. Bailey Community Arts and Education Internship

Bailey Learning and Arts Collective

Internship Format:
In person, meetings in Santa Fe College office.

Internship Tasks
Community event planning and support, newsletter development, organizational and administrative assistance, data entry, basic accounting support, proofreading, social media management, digital and technical support, grant research, and general program maintenance.

Project Description
The Bailey Learning and Arts Collective, Inc. (BLAAC) is a grassroots community organization focused on building knowledgeable, self-sustaining, and socially responsible communities through education, partnerships, social entrepreneurship, and artistic expression. Interns will support the Queen’s Room Women’s Empowerment Program, a BLAAC initiative that provides a supportive space—described as a virtual “SHE Shed”—centered on self-love, healing, and empowerment. This internship is especially well suited for students comfortable with data entry, basic accounting, proofreading, social media, and general tech support. Interns will assist with planning and promoting community events, developing a semester newsletter, supporting ongoing organizational operations, and contributing to digital communication and outreach efforts. The internship includes hands-on involvement in major programming, such as a multi-day women’s wellness and self-care retreat, offering experience in event coordination, community engagement, and nonprofit operations.

5. Career Educator Mentorship Project

Lyfehouse (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Primarily remote; all duties can be conducted remotely or on-campus.

Internship Tasks:
Community outreach, educational development, creating promo’ materials, event planning, conducting interviews, comm’ support (email, phone, promo’ materials), social media.

Project Description:
This is a virtual, 5-hour-per-week internship that provides hands-on experience in content creation, research, podcast hosting, and youth engagement. As our Career Educator Intern, you’ll play a key role in helping LYFEhouse educate and inspire high school students by: Conducting Research on Career Pathways: Research a variety of careers and the various ways to pursue them; Create engaging digital resources (social media posts, infographics, guides) to help students understand career options and what they can do now to prepare for their future; Ensure that content is clear, youth-friendly, and tailored specifically to a high school audience. Podcast Hosting & Interviewing Professionals: Serve as a co-host for our upcoming podcast featuring interviews with professionals across various industries; Identify professionals to interview, prepare thoughtful questions, and conduct engaging interviews tailored for high school students; Assist with post-interview content creation, including social media clips, episode summaries, and highlighting key takeaways. Acting as a Brand Ambassador for LYFEhouse: Promote the Career Pathways Campaign by helping to build and grow our social media presence among high school students; Brainstorm creative and engaging content ideas that resonate with high school students and inspire them to think proactively about future careers; Share innovative ideas to increase engagement and extend our outreach to more students.

6. Catalyzing a Career in Research Administration (Spring 2027 only)

Department of Anesthesiology at UF

Internship Format: Both in-person and remote.

Internship Tasks:
Literature review, data analysis, data entry, field research, attending training, community outreach, educational development, recruiting, creating promotional materials, hands-on experience, attending meetings, survey work, academic publishing/report writing, data collection.

Project Description:
A career in Research Administration is often discovered casually once working in an academic research institution. This program aims to present this high-demand career to UF undergraduates through mentorship and navigation of the sponsored research process.

Interns will gain knowledge in proposal development, compliance, and post-award management—essential skills for graduate school funding and career development. Students will tour labs, visit sponsored research offices, collect and analyze survey data, create products for departmental investigators, and potentially co-author a manuscript for publication. IRB training and other sponsored program-related training to access grant proposal development software and procedures will be required.

7. Center for Precollegiate Education and Training

Center for Precollegiate Education and Training at UF

Internship Format:
Primarily in-person; all internship duties will be conducted on-campus or remotely.

Internship Tasks:
Data entry, attending training, community outreach, educational development, creating promotional materials, communication support (emailing, phone, promotional materials), social media management.

Project Description:
The Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (CPET) provides STE(A)M programs for precollegiate students and teachers. Interns will assist with program planning, create promotional materials, manage social media platforms, and contribute to outreach efforts. Interns will need to complete required training prior to beginning internship duties.

8. College PASS Project

The Education Equalizers Foundation (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Both in-person and remote; most duties are remote, but in Spring interns will assist with an off-campus brunch within the Gainesville community.

Internship Tasks:
Data analysis, data entry, community outreach, creating promotional materials, hands-on experience, attending meetings, event planning, direct community contact, conducting interviews, needs assessments, data collection, communication support (emailing, phone, promotional materials), social media management.

Project Description:
The Education Equalizers Foundation empowers middle–through high school students and their families on the path to higher education. The college admittance process can be daunting and complex, particularly for scholars from underserved backgrounds. Our mission is to demystify this process and provide students with tools to gain admission and graduate successfully. Within our organization, the College PASS (Preparation, Access, Student Support) program supports high school seniors in gaining college access. With a renewed focus, this cohort guides a new generation of future healthcare leaders through hands-on experiences, skill-building, and powerful exposure to opportunities. ALP interns will gather data about scholars, research healthcare opportunities, support social media and marketing efforts, and assist with in-person experiences such as college tours, career field trips, and mentoring relationships with students. This exciting and rewarding experience allows interns to contribute meaningfully to a community organization working tangibly to help scholars access college, advocate for themselves, build community, and pursue careers.

9. Community Outreach & Branding the Scallop Republic Micronation

Scallop Republic Micronation, Inc. (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Primarily remote; all duties can be conducted remotely or on-campus.

Internship Tasks:
Data analysis, data entry, field research, community outreach, educational development, recruiting, creating promotional materials, hands-on experience, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, direct contact with community members, conducting interviews, conducting needs assessments, website development, communication support (emailing, phone, promotional materials), project design, presentation design and presenting, social media management, grant writing.

Project Description:
The Scallop Republic Micronation is under environmental threat due to climate change and human impacts causing subsidence, erosion, and invasive species. Our nonprofit works to preserve environmentally sensitive coastal lands along Florida’s Nature Coast (Gulf through Pasco County). Interns will support public outreach campaigns through social media management, branding, graphic design, and developing community partnerships with environmental agencies, nonprofits, and businesses. Interns may also assist with responsible ecotourism promotion and website development. This project will utilize Social Identity and Diffusion of Innovations theories to promote the Micronation concept and conservation efforts. Help us combat natural and human threats to protect this unique area.

10. Enhancing Volunteer Education and Citizen Science Through Applied Digital Tools

UF/IFAS Extension Marion County

Internship Format:
Hybrid; interns may work remotely or in person. In-person activities take place at the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County office in Ocala.

Internship Tasks:
Technical writing, instructional design, digital content creation, social media and communications, citizen science program development, research, educational resource development, volunteer support, and project coordination.

Project Description:
UF/IFAS Extension Marion County is seeking interns to help strengthen volunteer education, digital communication, and citizen science initiatives that support Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, pollinator conservation, and community horticulture. Students will work alongside Extension professionals on projects that improve how volunteers learn, communicate, and engage with the public through modern digital tools.

Depending on their interests and skills, interns may develop user-friendly training manuals and instructional videos for volunteer management platforms, create accessible communication resources and digital training materials for social media and newsletters, or help design a statewide citizen science initiative focused on pollinator monitoring using iNaturalist and other digital tools. Students will contribute to practical resources that improve volunteer training, strengthen public outreach, and support environmental education throughout Florida.

This internship is ideal for students interested in communications, instructional design, environmental education, digital media, citizen science, horticulture, ecology, sustainability, or Extension programs. Interns will develop skills in technical writing, science communication, project management, digital content creation, accessibility, volunteer education, and program development while contributing to projects with lasting impact across Florida’s Extension network.

11. Ethics in the Public Sphere Project

Liberal Arts and Sciences at UF

Internship Format:
Primarily in-person; all internship duties will be conducted on-campus or remotely.

Internship Tasks:
Community outreach, creating promotional materials, attending meetings, event planning, direct contact with community members, academic publishing or report writing, presentation design and delivery, social media management.

Project Description:
Ethics in the Public Sphere is an interdisciplinary initiative that supports informed, civil, and open discussions on contentious public issues. Interns will assist with planning, organizing, and promoting events. Additionally, interns will conduct research on relevant issues or topics in collaboration with project mentors. You may also manage social media accounts, engage in outreach efforts on campus and within the broader community, and participate in activities aimed at expanding the initiative’s impact.

12. Flood Resilient Communities

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Internship Format:
Hybrid.

Internship Tasks
Applied research, community outreach, program evaluation, and support for grant development.

Project Description
The SSPA – Flood Resilient Communities project, housed within the UF/IFAS Extension Program for Resource Efficient Communities, focuses on advancing floodplain stewardship practices that reduce flood risk and support resilient community development. Interns will assist with applied research on flood risk reduction strategies, support outreach efforts with community partners, contribute to program evaluation, and assist with grant-writing activities. Through this work, interns will gain practical experience with resource-efficient planning, flood resilience, and sustainability-oriented environmental practices while contributing to real-world efforts to strengthen community preparedness and adaptation.

13. Florida Floodplain Management for Risk Reduction and Loss Prevention

Florida Floodplain Managers Association (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Primarily remote; all duties can be conducted remotely or on-campus.

Internship Tasks:
Data analysis, data entry, attending training, community outreach, educational development, creating promotional materials, hands-on experience, attending meetings, event planning, monitoring and evaluation, conducting needs assessments, survey work, data collection, website development, communication support (emailing, phone, promotional materials), project design, social media management, grant writing, mapping.

Project Description:
Did you know that flooding has become the most common and costly natural disaster worldwide? As you can imagine, the recent/recurring storms, increased development, and ever-changing climate in Florida have caused a growing need for effective floodplain management.

The Florida Floodplain Managers Association is working on a statewide project—Florida Floodplain Management for Risk Reduction and Loss Prevention—to help Floridians become more knowledgeable about and protected from floods. It’ll require timely, accurate information and strategic communication to reach broad and varied audiences. Whether big or small, floods from hurricanes or heavy rains can have devastating results if people and their property aren’t prepared for the impacts. Are you going to lead our next generation in building healthy, sustainable communities? That’s our goal as well! FFMA, a 501(c)(3) statewide volunteer organization, is offering internships for students to assist with all facets of our nonprofit’s goals. Our mission is to reduce risk and loss caused by floods, and that takes all kinds working together to create and maintain community engagement in holistic planning efforts. This includes public information campaigns, legislation advocacy, instructional design, professional development, and training for floodplain managers, engineers, building code officials, community planners, architects, contractors, insurance providers, and more. We could really use someone who wants to work in Public Relations and/or manage social media campaigns. We could also use another student well-versed in GIS to continue the project our current UF ALP intern is working on this term.

14. H2OSAV: Water Savings, Analytics & Verification

Ag-Resource Efficient Communities Department, Center for Land Use Efficiency

Internship Format:
Hybrid.

Internship Tasks
Policy and ordinance research, document review, communication with local governments, data organization, GIS-based mapping, and short-form technical reporting.

Project Description
H2OSAV (Water Savings, Analytics & Verification) is a UF/IFAS Extension program focused on achieving measurable water savings across Florida. A central component of the program’s work involves evaluating the effectiveness of water conservation measures mandated by city and county ordinances, such as limits on irrigable area or requirements for Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. Interns will contribute to this effort by researching local water conservation ordinances across Florida, documenting what measures are required, when they were implemented, and how they are enforced, including outreach to municipalities when needed. Building on research conducted by previous interns, the intern will also develop an interactive, expandable map that visually displays ordinance data statewide and prepare a brief report outlining the mapping methodology, instructions for future updates, and opportunities for further research or improvement. This internship offers hands-on experience in environmental policy analysis, applied research, and data visualization in support of real-world water conservation efforts.

15. Health Literacy and Patient Portal Use Research (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)

Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics

Internship Format:
Primarily remote.

Internship Tasks
Literature review, usability evaluation, user experience research, heuristic evaluation, research data collection, data analysis, academic writing, and research meetings.

Project Description
Digital health technologies—including patient portals, clinical decision support systems, and AI-powered healthcare applications—play an increasingly important role in modern medicine. This research project examines how patients interact with these technologies and identifies ways to improve their usability and accessibility. Interns will learn usability evaluation methods, conduct literature reviews, assist with user experience research, and help identify design barriers that affect patient engagement. Students will gain experience in digital health research while developing skills in human-centered design, research methods, scientific communication, and health information technology. Opportunities for co-authorship. This internship is well suited for students interested in health, psychology, human factors, informatics, computer science, or medicine.

16. Honey Bee Research, Extension & Science Communication

UF IFAS Honey Bee Lab

Internship Format:
Primarily in-person on campus.

Internship Tasks:
Extension research, survey development and data collection, stakeholder communication, educational outreach, social media management, content creation, graphic design, photography/videography, and multimedia production.

Project Description:
This project advances research, education, and Extension programs that support the health and productivity of honey bees in Florida and beyond. Interns will contribute to one of two Extension-focused projects depending on their interests and experience.

Students interested in research and outreach will assess honey bee programs across Florida by identifying county-level initiatives, documenting beekeeper associations, and communicating with stakeholders to strengthen statewide Extension resources. Students interested in communications and digital media will help develop educational content for the laboratory’s public outreach efforts, including producing short-form videos featuring Extension specialists, creating promotional materials, managing social media platforms, and helping communicate practical beekeeping information to diverse audiences.

This internship is ideal for students interested in environmental science, agriculture, conservation, science communication, marketing, journalism, multimedia production, or Extension education. Interns will gain practical experience in research, stakeholder engagement, digital communications, and public outreach while contributing to one of the nation’s leading honey bee research and Extension programs. Students selected for the communications track will complete UF/IFAS Social Media Training before beginning internship duties.

17. Insect Vectors and Public Health

Entomology Department at UF

Internship Format:
Primarily in-person; all internship duties will be conducted on campus.

Internship Tasks:
Laboratory research, microscopy, mosquito identification, specimen preparation, biological data collection, scientific record keeping, and data entry.

Project Description:
Mosquitoes transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, dengue, and Zika. This project investigates how mosquito populations survive unfavorable environmental conditions and how overwintering behavior may influence disease transmission in Florida. Interns will work alongside researchers in the Department of Entomology and Nematology to examine mosquitoes collected from above ground and from gopher tortoise burrows. Using microscopy techniques, students will assess mosquito parity status and other biological characteristics that help researchers distinguish overwintering from non-overwintering populations. Through this work, interns will gain hands-on laboratory experience while contributing to research that improves our understanding of mosquito ecology and vector-borne disease risk. Students interested in biology, ecology, public health, or medical research are especially encouraged to apply. Required laboratory safety training will be completed before beginning research activities.

18. Insightful Analysis Solutions Project (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)

Insightful Analysis Solutions (Community Organization)

Internship Format: Primarily remote. Off-campus duties at IAS office, less than two miles from campus (up 13th Street).

Internship Tasks:
Literature review, data analysis, data entry, attending training, attending meetings, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, direct contact with community members, conducting interviews, survey work, academic publishing/report writing, data collection, website development, communication support (email, phone, promotional materials), project design, presentation design and presenting, grant writing.

Project Description:
Insightful Analysis Solutions (IAS) collaborates with organizations to produce tailored findings, insights, and deliverables that are actionable, meaningful, and effectively utilized. Our experienced, multidisciplinary team uses scientific methods to offer comprehensive services including program development, needs assessments, research study design, grant funding proposals, polished communication materials, program monitoring and analytics, grant writing, and technical writing support. Interns will assist in synthesizing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data using statistical software (SPSS, SAS, R), and performing data cleaning, coding, and pilot tests. Interns will also assist with pricing analysis, obtaining state business licensure, project evaluation plans, grant development, client program enhancement, technical reports, literature reviews, transcription, and logic models. Confidentiality and data privacy training will be required once the internship begins. Would greatly appreciate a Statistics major or a student focusing on hard science.

19. KidzHack Project- Creating a Vibe

KidzHack LLC (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Primarily remote; all internship duties will be performed on-campus or remotely.

Internship Tasks:
Data analysis, data entry, hands-on experience, attending meetings.

Project Description:
KidzHack creates innovative technology solutions to empower the next generation of leaders, critical thinkers, and global citizens. Interns will work alongside experienced designers and technologists to develop user-centered, impactful educational technologies tailored to young learners. Interns will select from specialized paths, each offering opportunities to gain practical experience. 1) Front-end Development and Implementation: Designing user-friendly interfaces and supporting platform integration. 2) Data Science and AI Integration: Working on machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and implementing AI-driven solutions. 3) Technical Documentation: Preparing detailed API documentation, installation guides, deployment manuals, “getting started” guides, and related software documentation. We seek adaptable, resourceful interns who are innovative problem solvers committed to youth empowerment. Interns will collaborate closely with mentors in a small, agile team environment. Progress will be measured weekly through task completion and sprint efficiency, culminating in final deliverables tailored to each intern’s chosen specialization.

20. Plenty of Pit Bulls Project (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)

Plenty of Pit Bulls (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Both in-person and remote; internship activities include community events throughout the Gainesville area.

Internship Tasks:
Community outreach, educational materials, social media management, research, public relations, event planning, fundraising, dog handling and training support, and nonprofit communications.

Project Description:
Plenty of Pit Bulls is a nonprofit organization dedicated to dog rescue, rehabilitation, education, advocacy, and community engagement. Interns will help strengthen the organization’s outreach by researching best practices in animal welfare, developing educational and promotional materials, managing social media content, and assisting with community events, fundraising activities, and adoption programs. Students will also have opportunities to work directly with rescued dogs while learning about animal behavior, training, and responsible pet ownership. No prior experience working with dogs is required. This internship is ideal for students interested in nonprofit leadership, communications, public relations, animal welfare, community engagement, or veterinary-related fields, and provides experience supporting a mission that improves animal and human well-being.

21. STEM by Design: Creating Future-Ready Middle School Kits & Courses

InSciStemify (Community Organization)

Internship Format:
Primarily remote; all internship duties will be performed on-campus or remotely.

Internship Tasks:
Educational development, hands-on experience, attending meetings, project design, social media management.

Project Description:
InSciStemify, a STEM EdTech company, is revolutionizing how middle school students engage with science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive, hands-on kits and courses designed for enrichment programs nationwide. Interns will join a dedicated team in creating innovative STEM kits and digital lessons that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills for students ages 11–14. This project is ideal for students interested in STEM education, curriculum design, science, engineering, technology, math, product design, science communication, instructional technology, youth outreach, or EdTech entrepreneurship. It offers a unique opportunity to build tangible educational tools that impact students’ futures. Interns will gain practical experience, develop professional skills, and contribute meaningfully to reshaping STEM education for the next generation.

22. Storiza: Improving Reading Through Learning Experience Design (Fall only)

School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education (UF)

Internship Format:
Primarily remote.

Internship Tasks:
User experience (UX) research, learning experience design (LXD), participant interviews, literature review, usability testing, qualitative data collection, educational technology evaluation, and research support.

Project Description:
Storiza is an educational technology project designed to improve children’s reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension through evidence-based learning tools. This research project examines how learning experience design (LXD) can improve the usability, accessibility, and educational effectiveness of the Storiza platform for students, parents, and teachers.

Interns will help evaluate how users interact with the platform by participating in usability studies, conducting or supporting interviews, reviewing educational research, and helping identify design improvements that enhance engagement, accessibility, and learning outcomes. Students will contribute to the development of educational technologies that better support children with diverse learning needs, including those with dyslexia and other reading challenges.

This internship is ideal for students interested in education, psychology, learning sciences, instructional design, human-computer interaction, user experience (UX), educational technology, or accessibility. Interns will gain practical experience in usability research, qualitative research methods, educational technology design, and human-centered evaluation while contributing to the development of a tool that supports reading success for children and families. IRB training is required prior to beginning research activities.

23. UnMask JOY Project (Fall full; Spring 2027 only)

Xtraordinary JOY (Community Organization)

Internship Format: Both in-person and remote; some tasks require interns to perform duties off-campus at Gainesville restaurants and shopping areas.

Internship Tasks:
Community outreach, educational development, recruiting, creating promotional materials, hands-on experience, event planning, fundraising, direct contact with community members.

Project Description:
Xtraordinary JOY is a nonprofit focused on funding research and outreach for ultra-rare chromosome disorders like Xq27–28 deletion. Typically, Xtraordinary JOY hosts three inclusive community events per year and participates in additional events supporting special needs populations. Interns should be outgoing and comfortable interacting directly with local businesses for fundraising purposes. The organization’s activities include raising awareness about conditions associated with Xq27–28 deletion disorder (autism, epilepsy, intellectual disability), fundraising, and creating inclusive community events for families with special needs. Fall interns will primarily assist in marketing the annual Masquerade Ball, the largest fundraising event of the year. Responsibilities include outreach to businesses and individuals for donations, marketing efforts, and direct community engagement. Interns will also participate in the event itself. Spring interns will focus on developing educational graphics and promotional content for spring community events.

24. Water Education and Science Communication

UF IFAS

Internship Format:
Primarily remote; internship duties will primarily be completed remotely with periodic virtual meetings and occasional in-person opportunities.

Internship Tasks:
Science communication, educational outreach, content development, social media management, website updates, webinar and event support, graphic design, digital resource organization, educational program planning, and evaluation.

Project Description:
UF/IFAS Extension helps Florida residents better understand water resources, water conservation, and water quality through research-based education and public outreach. This internship supports statewide Extension programs by improving how scientific information is communicated to diverse audiences.

Interns will collaborate with Extension faculty to develop educational materials, create graphics and digital content, support webinars and outreach campaigns, organize online educational resources, assist with website updates, and help plan future educational programming. Depending on their interests, students may also contribute to social media campaigns, communication strategies, audience engagement, and evaluation activities.

This internship is ideal for students interested in science communication, environmental education, sustainability, communications, graphic design, public outreach, or water resources. Interns will gain practical experience translating technical information into accessible educational materials while developing professional skills in communication, project coordination, digital content creation, and public engagement. Students will also learn how Extension programs connect scientific research with communities to promote more sustainable water management throughout Florida.

25. Weather Extremes Risk Assessment and System Resilience Analysis

Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Internship Format:
Primarily remote.

Internship Tasks
Climate and environmental data analysis, programming in R or Python, literature review, geospatial data processing, statistical and AI/ML modeling, scientific visualization, technical reporting, and reproducible research.

Project Description
Extreme weather events—including floods, droughts, heatwaves, and severe storms—are placing increasing pressure on infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. This research project examines how weather extremes affect built and environmental systems and develops analytical tools to improve long-term resilience planning. Interns will work with real-world climate, hydrologic, and geospatial datasets while learning statistical and machine learning approaches used to evaluate environmental risk. Depending on experience and interests, students may assist with data cleaning, visualization, exploratory analysis, climate modeling, or development of reproducible research workflows. This internship is ideal for students interested in environmental science, engineering, climate resilience, data science, artificial intelligence, or applied research. Experience with R or Python is helpful but not required for motivated students willing to learn.

Final Notes

Thanks for exploring the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Active Learning Program opportunities.

If you have questions about any of the listings or the application process, please contact:

Glen Billesbach, Coordinator & Instructor, Active Learning Program
Email: gbillesbach@ufl.edu