Sometimes EcoStudio positions remain unfilled after our application window. The following positions may still be available:
Client: Carrboro Vermicomposting Project
Fork to Farm Intern
The Carrboro Vermicomposting Project was initiated by a group of neighbors and funded by the town of Carrboro, to decrease methane released by kitchen scraps in our landfill. We promote vermicomposting and bokashi, and offer educational and training workshops. Our long-term goal is forming an organization that will keep the program improving and expanding after the grant period. This organization will provide introductory workshops, training, support, networking, continuing education, and on-line access to trusted resources.
Our Fork to Farm initiative extends our project by making composting kitchen scraps available to more people. We heard from many interested people who struggle to find the motivation and space to start vermicomposting. Therefore, we are adding the Bokashi method. Bokashi is a way to stabilize kitchen scraps in 5-gallon buckets for later use by fermenting. It can be used in the individual's garden or, donated to a friend, community garden or farmer. It requires even less labor and space, making it accessible to more people.
Tasks would include:
Project Location: Orange County, primarily Carrboro and Chapel Hill
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
Project Deliverables
Unpaid internship
Comments:
Regretfully, we have no funds for wages. However, there is an easy and low risk way to make money through entrepreneurship. The intern can assemble and sell bokashi buckets and vermicomposting bins. The products have been designed; all that is necessary is for the intern to fulfill their obligations with the NC Department of Revenue. The intern would sell directly to potential participants. This is something they might be able to continue after the internship is complete.
The project location is at Pacifica Cohousing. Space for office work will be available in a small room in our Common House.
Applicants should have their own transportation. Exceptions are possible.
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Tom Smith
wormsdothework@gmail.com
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 1
Projects led by this mentor: 1
Client: Ecoheal Farm
Ecoheal Home of voluntary simplicity Intern
The project consists of an ecological home, built out of engineered earthen technology with an earthen floor nested in the middle of a forest on a 68 acres farm. This 500 sf octagonal structure is designed it cools and dehumidifies itself with no moving parts. The shell of the building was completed this summer. The second phase of this project consist in integrating natural approaches for insulation, gray water natural filtration and trim work using local materials and up cycling.
Project Location: 1183 John Allen Rd., Roxboro NC 27574
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
The teaching model is very organic and based on direct hands on experiences. Reading materials are offered if the student wishes to learn more about Ecoheal technology, principles and philosophy.
Project Deliverables
The student will have a hands on construction experience in natural building and a deeper connection to the potentials in natural resources as an integral part of the design.
Unpaid internship
Comments:
Feel free to email me for further inquiries.
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Dani Mouawad
dani@ecoheal.org
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 2
Projects led by this mentor: 2
Client: Green Camps
Camp Composting Engagement and Education Initiative
This
ongoing internship focuses on supporting camps in adopting or enhancing
composting programs through research, education, and personalized guidance.
Interns will communicate directly with camps, encouraging them to complete a
composting survey that gathers valuable data on current practices and
challenges within the industry. This data will inform Green Camps’ research
efforts, while interns will provide camps with guidance and resources tailored
to their composting needs, assisting them in starting or expanding composting
initiatives. The project aims to foster sustainable waste management practices
and engage campers and staff in environmental stewardship.
Project Location: Remote
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
Communication Skills: Ability to conduct outreach and engage
in conversations with diverse camp representatives.
Research and Data Collection: Experience or interest in
gathering, organizing, and interpreting data; familiarity with surveys and
research processes is a plus.
Environmental Knowledge: Basic knowledge of composting and
sustainability principles; coursework in environmental science or
sustainability is preferred.
Resource Development: Skill in creating or refining
educational materials and guides; familiarity with environmental education is a
bonus.
Project Deliverables
Completed Surveys: Achieve a target number of survey
completions from camps, contributing data to support Green Camps' composting
research.
Camp Engagement Reports: Weekly or bi-weekly summaries of
camp interactions, including feedback, challenges faced, and composting support
provided.
Resource & Guidance Materials: Development or refinement
of resources like composting guides, FAQs, and case studies, which camps can
use to improve their composting practices.
Research Summary: A summary of survey findings to highlight
trends, common challenges, and potential solutions for composting in the camp
industry.
Unpaid internship
Comments:
Flexible Learning Environment: This is a remote, self-paced
internship that allows interns to work independently while providing regular
check-ins with the Green Camps team for support and mentorship. Students will
have access to all relevant resources, including the Green Camps Composting
Guide, templates, and presentation materials.
Professional Development Opportunities: Interns will gain
hands-on experience in sustainability outreach and project management, skills
that are highly transferable to roles in environmental consulting, education,
and non-profit work. Interns will also have opportunities to contribute creative
ideas to improve outreach effectiveness and refine educational materials,
providing real-world impact on camps' sustainability practices.
Impact-Focused Research and Reporting: Data collected from
the composting survey will contribute to industry research on composting in
camps, helping Green Camps identify key trends, challenges, and best practices.
This research will inform future program improvements and enhance the support
Green Camps can offer to its member camps.
Networking and Outreach Experience: Interns will have the
chance to develop professional communication and relationship-building skills,
engaging directly with camp administrators, sustainability advocates, and
industry experts.
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Danny Sudman
danny@greencamps.org
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 1
Projects led by this mentor: 1
Client: Haw River Assembly
Plastics Reduction Intern
The Haw River Assembly is a 501(c)(3) non-profit citizens’ group founded in 1982 to restore and protect the Haw River and Jordan Lake, and to build a watershed community that shares this vision. Our goals are to promote environmental education, conservation, and pollution prevention; we vow to speak as a voice for the river in the public arena and to put into peoples’ hands the tools and the knowledge they need to be effective guardians of the river.
The Haw River Assembly's Trash Trap program aims to give us information about the amount and types of trash found in our streams. We will have 8 trash traps located across the watershed, 1 in Chapel Hill, 1 in Carrboro, 2 in Durham, 1 in Pittsboro, 1 in Burlington, and 2 in Greensboro. Volunteers clean out trash traps monthly and categorize and count trash collected. Each of these traps have either a lead volunteer or a staff member/intern to help coordinate and collect data. This data will then be used to help inform future plastic pollution and litter work in our watershed. We also have an annual Clean-Up-A-Thon where individuals and groups across the watershed spend the day collecting trash alongside our roads and streams.
The Plastics Reduction Intern will assist the Haw River Assembly with the Clean-Up-A-Thon, the Trash Trap program and other plastic reduction projects. This will include monthly trash trap clean outs and data collection, along with creating visualizations to be shared with the public based on the data. The intern would be responsible for checking on trash traps after storms for damage and assisting with maintenance when needed. Clean-Up-A-Thon planning assistance will include mapping and identifying spots acceptable for groups and individuals for the clean up. The intern will also work on literature reviews to compile information about how to reduce plastic pollution in our streams.
Project Location: Haw River Watershed
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
Excellent written and verbal communication skills & the ability to meet deadlines
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in related field of study
Comfortable with in-stream field work
Experience with mapping either using google or ArcGIS
Project Deliverables
Assist with monthly data collection at at least one of the trap locations, potentially lead trap clean outs when needed (held regularly on the last Saturday of every month between 10 am-12pm)
Create social media posts, blogs, or basic infographics with data collected
Check on traps after storms & before cleanouts, assist with occasional trap maintenance, & help with potential Trash Trap installs
Correspond with local municipal partners and Trash Trap volunteers when needed
Help with our Annual Clean-Up-A-Thon (March 22)
Assist with tracking Trash Trap inventory (bags, gloves, etc.)
Potential Additional tasks
Research upstream solutions for plastic in our streams
Brainstorm ideas for plastic pollution advocacy (StoryMaps, local art, Dashboards etc.)
Representing Haw River Assembly at outreach events
Write blog posts about plastic pollution issues
Unpaid internship
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Emily Sutton
emily@hawriver.org
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 20
Projects led by this mentor: 12
Client: Lukera Energy
Developing an ultra-low energy process for clean fuel production from methane gas
Lukera Energy is addressing one of the world's critical climate challenges by transforming methane emissions into high-value methanol. This solution reduces greenhouse gas emissions while creating sustainable fuels and chemicals. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas often leaked or flared during industrial activities, contributes significantly to global warming. In addition to replicating experiments, the intern will systematically test different parameters, such as methane concentration, voltage, and electrode surface area, to determine their impact on methanol yield and selectivity. They will analyze the data, identify trends, and recommend modifications to optimize the process. Weekly meetings will review progress, troubleshoot issues, and refine experimental strategies. This role will provide the intern hands-on experience in electrochemical and catalytic systems, experimental design, and data analysis. By participating, the intern will directly contribute to advancing a transformative clean energy solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce sustainable fuels. This project offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the field of climate technology while developing valuable technical skills.
Lukera Energy offers a unique opportunity for an undergraduate intern to contribute to optimizing a cutting-edge methane-to-methanol conversion process. This project aims to replicate the microbubble-assisted electrocatalysis experiments while improving methanol production rates, selectivity, and energy efficiency. The intern will be responsible for setting up and operating the experimental system based on established protocols and monitoring and recording key data such as production rates, current density, and energy usage.
Project Location: Carrboro
Project Level: Entry Level
Project Type
Internship
Skills Desired
Safety Awareness:
Knowledge of lab safety protocols, especially regarding handling flammable gases like methane and electrical systems.
Laboratory and Experimental Skills:
Experience in setting up and running chemical experiments.
Familiarity with electrochemical equipment and techniques (e.g., potentiostats, electrodes).
Basic knowledge of handling gases safely (e.g., methane).
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:
Ability to analyze experimental data and identify trends.
Skills in troubleshooting and optimizing experimental setups.
Technical Knowledge:
Understanding of basic principles in catalysis, electrochemistry, and reaction kinetics.
Knowledge of material properties and their interactions in chemical systems.
Data Analysis and Reporting:
Proficiency in using tools like Excel for data visualization and interpretation.
Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and presentations.
Attention to Detail:
Precision in measurements, recording observations, and maintaining lab records.
Communication Skills:
Ability to present findings during weekly meetings.
Effective written communication for preparing summaries and final reports.
Project Deliverables
Replicate prior experiments.
Design experiments to optimize the methanol production rate.
Data analysis and documentation on how varying experimental parameters (e.g., methane concentration, voltage, and electrode area) influence methanol production rates and selectivity.
Short updates summarizing key activities, results, and next steps.
Update procedural documentation for the experimental setup, including safety protocols and best practices for future use.
Suggestions for improving scalability, including proposed changes to the experimental design and production system.
Funding$15/hr
Contact Information
For more information about this project, please contact:
Brian Worfolk
brian@lukera.energ
About this Organization
Total EcoStudio projects since 2018: 0
Projects led by this mentor: 0
The Molchanov Scholars Program is an endowed internship program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Institute for the Environment. The program is a partnership between the UNC Institute for the Environment and environmentally-focused small businesses, non-profit organizations and government institutions in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Each summer undergraduate students are matched with an environmental internship where they gain hands-on, professional training. Each Molchanov Scholar receives a $5,000 stipend to support their summer experience.
These are other internship opportunities that we've heard of that may be of interest to our students. You will need to contact and apply to each organization and opportunity separately. We'll do our best to keep this page up-to-date, but there may be some opportunities that have already expired.
Undergraduate Internships and Fellowships: Find opportunities to conduct authentic research through internship programs across the country
This listing includes all kinds of opportunities for students at every grade level. You can filter the results to just show what you want. Also check out the NOAA undergraduate scholarships, because they have some paid internships listed here.
Check out the Resource Assistants Program. All RAP interns receive Direct Hire Authority (DHA) at the successful conclusion of their internship, which is a useful tool that can help with future employment in a federal agency.
Kay Blada Recycling is a 501(c)(3) certified non-profit, founded in 2015 and dedicated to alleviating poverty and cleaning up plastic waste in Haiti, while providing environmental education to the children of the community.
NCPIRG Students is a student organization that works with UNC students to protect the environment, and promote civic engagement. This Fall our priority campaign is our New Voters Project, where we will be working with the student government and other student groups this fall to make sure no one misses Election Day. We have virtual volunteer and internship opportunities doing outreach, organizing events, and spreading the world through media and social media. Click here to sign up for an information session and apply.
Interns and volunteers support office administration, attend events at the UN as Peace Boat US representatives, support campaigns, projects, and educational programs through outreach efforts, and write news and blog articles about our activities. Especially valuable skills and qualities include being multi-lingual (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, and Japanese are especially helpful), graphic design, networking, photography, communications, public speaking, and very importantly, a passion to support the issues that Peace Boat US works on.
Let us know if you want us to list your position by emailing ecostudio@unc.edu
Send an email to ecostudio@unc.edu.
