Explainers Program

Explainers at the National Air and Space Museum inspire life-long learning by connecting visitors to our iconic artifacts and to stories about the science and technology that make innovation possible. 

The Explainers Program hires high school and college students to help visitors better understand the Museum’s artifacts and exhibitions through interactive demonstrations and hands-on programming.

Explainers work onsite at either the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC or at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. 
 

Explainer Duties

Explainers engage visitors with hands-on activity carts and interactive demonstrations on topics such as the forces of flight and humans in orbit. Our portfolio of Explainer programming includes facilitated solar observing and stargazing; drop-in design challenges; and simulators that teach people how to land a space shuttle or show them how a space shuttle toilet works. 

Explainers are scheduled to work at the Museum in downtown Washington, DC seven days a week and at the Udvar-Hazy Center weekends and holidays. Hours at each location are flexible according to your academic schedule.
 

Requirements

To be an Explainer, you must:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Currently be enrolled in a diploma or degree granting program
• Maintain a 2.7 GPA
• Be available to work onsite, monthly for a one-year probationary training period
• Maintain active status by working at least 15 hours per month
• Be adept interacting with diverse groups of people
• Have good written and oral communication skills
• Be willing to attend ongoing training and conduct self-study in general scientific principles related to aeronautics and space science

Application Procedure

To be considered for a position as an Explainer, you must submit the following items:

• A one- to two page cover letter or statement of purpose— How can you contribute to the program and how would this job assist you in your career and/or educational goals?
• A current resume
• A high school or college transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted)
• Two letters of recommendation

Please Note: Incomplete application packages will not be processed or considered.

To be an Explainer you must be a United States citizen with a photo ID, a naturalized citizen with proper documentation, or a non-citizen with proper INS authorization to work in the United States.

Apply Now

Applications for the Explainers Program can be accessed and submitted via the Smithsonian’s Trust Jobs site. Please read on for our annual application and interview schedule.

Applicant and Interview Schedule

For Local High School Students

Spring

• Applications open February 15 through March 15
• Interviews scheduled March 15 through April 15
• Tentative start dates selected for summer

Summer

• Applications open May 15 through June 15
• Interviews scheduled June 15 through July 15
• Tentative start dates selected for fall

Fall

• Applications open September 15 through October 15
• Interviews scheduled October 15 through November 15
• Tentative start dates selected for winter

For Local College Students

• Applications and interviews available on a rolling basis throughout the year
• Applications open monthly on the 1st and close on the 15th
• Interviews will be scheduled within a month of your application
• Please allow 2-3 months from the time of your application until your preferred start date for the interview processes and Office of Human Resources onboarding 

For Non-Local College Students

Students who do not attend college in DC, Northern Virginia, or Maryland are encouraged to explore our Virtual Explainer opportunity.  College applicants who do not attend school locally are not eligible for onsite Explainer positions. This position does not have summer-only opportunities.

For additional information or to submit recommendations separately, email the Explainers Program coordinators. 
 

The Explainers Program is made possible by the generous support of RTX Technologies.