Our internships, sponsored by Jeff Gordon Chevrolet, provide:

• Hands on experience conducting research in a laboratory setting
• Digital marketing and communications exposure
• ​Education and outreach event opportunities
• Ocean Friendly Establishment program involvement
• ​Trees4Trash program participation

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​RESEARCH

Projects focus on quantifying and identifying microplastics in environmental samples. 

Interns may learn skills specific to POP's research such as:

• How to read and conduct project protocols
• Process water samples via vacuum filtration
• Clean suspected plastic particles via sonication
• Perform chemical digestion on organic samples via wet-peroxide oxidation
• Analyze suspected plastic particles using a micro Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (u-FTIR) instrument
• Input and organize data

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Students will also learn and apply general laboratory knowledge such as:

• Safety protocols
• Contamination mitigation
• Proper glassware cleaning techniques

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​Communications

​Interns may:

• Gain writing experience for different types of audiences
• Prepare press releases for news channels
• Create and post social media content
• Assist with newsletter articles
• Design graphics
• Generate educational content for POP's website
• Update brochures as needed

​education/outreach

Interns may attend:

• Educational tabling events at locations such as local farmers markets and concerts
• School programs
• Fundraising events 

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Interns may:

• Present PowerPoints
• Conduct educational activities
• Create informational tabling materials
• Recruit new members to our email list
• Gain confidence in public speaking and social engagement

​Ocean friendly establishments

Ocean Friendly Establishments are dedicated to promoting environmentally sustainable business practices.

Interns may:

• Keep up with social media posting
• Recruit businesses and restaurants to the OFE program
• Manage the printer/framer to facilitate the distribution of certificates
• Review and evaluate current OFE's status' and ratings
• Maintain outstanding relationships between POP and OFE's

​Trees4trash

Through our T4T program, for every 25 pounds of trash that is removed from the environment, a tree is planted. 

Interns may be responsible for:

• Assisting with the organization of T4T events
• Attending and leading cleanups
• Managing supplies
• Tracking trash data through a spreadsheet
• Participants safety (First Aid)