Project Summary

In 2013, The Smithsonian Institution, SEEC, and Ivymount School launched a Project SEARCH chapter for young adults who have developmental disabilities. Additional partners include the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration, DC's Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Project SEARCH interns are immersed in the Smithsonian Institution workplace, receiving daily classroom instruction and rotating among three distinct internships in positions that are meaningful to the mission of the department to which they are assigned and are based on each jobseeker's strengths and interests.

As a result of the first year of the program, 7 out of 11 graduating 2013-2014 interns are now paid Smithsonian employees, working a minimum of 20 hours per week and earning competitive wages and benefits.

Smithsonian Internship Duties Include:

• Building Service Worker for the National Portrait Gallery (NPG), Ripley Center, National Museum of American History (NMAH), and the National Zoo: providing custodial maintenance in restrooms, exhibit galleries, and offices, and operating large, motorized, heavy machinery.
• Museum Technician Support for the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and Museum Support Center:​ identifying and numbering bone specimens, conducting pest inspections of specimens, installing specimens in collections storage, and preparing them for preservation.
• Classroom Assistant, Early Education Center, NMNH and NMAH: organizing photos, completing classroom inventory, and assisting teachers with activities.
• Office of Protection Services: shipping/delivery, digitizing and filing documents, and inventory management.
• ​NPG:​ Exhibition maintenance and office assistance, restocking visitor hand outs, and maintaining exhibit areas.
• NMNH Botany:​ digitizing pollen specimen media files, document management.
• Offices of Facilities Management and Reliability, Crafts Department: organizing the shop, conducting fire door inspections and making quick fixes, and cleaning tools and equipment.