VOLUNTEER & INTERN

Volunteering at the Rice Museum is a great way to make a difference in our community. Museum volunteers contribute over a thousand hours of service each year. In fact, we could not provide many of our Museum initiatives without their talent and dedication.

Two men examining meteorites at a display.

Volunteer Interest Form

Scroll down further for internship information.

Volunteer Hour Tracking

Thank you for choosing to support the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals by volunteering! Many projects and museum activities would not be possible without your support. Thank you!

Log Your Volunteer Hours

Paid College Summer Internship Program

Applications are closed for Summer 2025, please check back in January 2026 for Summer 2026! 

Two interns holding agate geode specimens.
Two women cleaning large quartz crystals.

The Rice’s project based summer internship program offers training and direct work experience. If you are a college student interested in learning more about how museums operate, are considering a museum or STEM career, we encourage you to apply. We seek talented people of all backgrounds.

Interns assist professional staff, interact with the public, conduct research, and gain valuable training, skills, and work experience.

Internship Highlights:

  • 8-week in-person program at our world-class facility
  • 25 hours of work per week, $4,000 lump sum payment
  • Opportunities to engage in STEM community outreach, exhibit development, educational equity and accessibility, digital engagement, communications, and more
  • Core focus areas are Climate Change, Race and Social Justice, Women’s History, Changing American Narrative

Sample projects include:

Exhibit Research and Design:

Research and generate additional educational content for existing or new displays. Topics include Volcanics of the Pacific Northwest, Mineralogy and Industry, Terroir of the Pacific NW, and Stone Tools of the Pacific Northwest. These projects will involve outreach and coordination with other institutions.

Museum Education:

Collaborate with Museum staff to generate a new educational program. This could include a specialized tour, a new hands-on activity, or a traveling exhibit available for loan to schools. Possible topic examples include the historic Rice House, Minerals in Industry, Careers in Earth Science, Art and Minerals.

Community and Inclusivity:

Work with the Collections Manager to foster an inclusive environment where visitors will be able to relate to exhibits and see themselves represented. Research the museum’s place in our local community. Develop a testbed display in the NW Gallery, with a corresponding online component that will be continually evaluated and tested by visitors and staff; solicit and collect feedback from visitors through comment boxes, visitor tracking, web and or email surveys, invitational contribution board in the gallery.

Requirements: 

  • Applicants must be rising college sophomores, juniors, or seniors
  • International students enrolled at a U.S. college/university within the continental U.S. may apply
  • You DO NOT need experience or a major in Geology, other Earth Science field, or Museum Administration. This opportunity is open to any student regardless of major who wants to learn more about museums and STEM education.
What you should know: 

The Museum is located at 26385 NW Groveland Drive, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Unfortunately, we are not in walking distance of any major transit lines. Please make sure you have considered how you will get to and from the Museum on the days that you are interning.


Thank you to our generous donor who made these paid internships possible!

Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
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