exploration || intermediate program

Learn More About The Intermediate Program

Intermediate Program Site
The main Intermediate Program website features a complete overview of the Program.

Intermediate Program Summer Site
The Intermediate Program summer site features photos from last summer.

Intermediate Program Student Roundtable
A roundtable conversation with students about their Intermediate Program experience.

Intermediate Program Course Listings
Intermediate Program Workshop Listings
A listing and description of courses and workshops offered last summer.

It’s the people that make EXPLO special. Your peers will inspire your work and make you laugh. Chances are — according to Dr. Jennifer Light, professor at Northwestern University’s world-renowned School of Communication — they’ll also be your friends for years to come. “The people at EXPLO are wonderful. I count four fellow staff members among my closest friends in life now, almost 20 years later.”

During her summer breaks from Harvard, Light worked at EXPLO's Intermediate Program, falling in love with the autonomy given to EXPLO instructors and the sheer volume of interests represented. “It was rather freeing at a time when I and many other staff were thinking about our own career choices ahead," Light says. "Everyone was smart, which was nice, but even better they were all interesting people.”

Light went on to earn her master's degree at the University of Cambridge in England and her doctorate in the History of Science at Harvard. And for the past 12 years, she's been teaching at Northwestern. “[EXPLO] got me off to a good start trying to build classroom environments that are not only places for learning but also respectful of students," Light says, "and seek always to inject a bit of fun and humor into the lesson plan.”

Click Here For More Faculty Profiles

Intermediate Program faculty are expected to make a strong and active commitment to building a community that embraces all of its members. We depend on faculty to help create an environment at the Intermediate Program where students from a variety of backgrounds feel safe and comfortable sharing their interests, beliefs, and experiences. Our goal is to create a Program where students are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and explore new ideas.

>> Click Here To See A Typical Day At the Intermediate Program

Students at the Intermediate Program are entering grades 8 and 9. This is a transitional stage where students are beginning to seek out and define their identities. They are open to developing new interests and new ideas; academically, they are capable of achieving a great deal, far more than is usually expected of them.

You will find a broad spectrum of personal differences between students in this age group. Most are self-conscious and peer-group conscious; some are outgoing, while others are reserved; some are precocious, while others are still quite young; some are physical dynamos who are always ready for a game, while others prefer a quiet discussion. Generally speaking, students at the Intermediate Program respect adult leadership. Their confidence comes from understanding the clear framework which balances structure and choice at the Intermediate Program.

The Intermediate Program is extremely intensive for faculty members. From leading extracurricular activities, to teaching courses, to dealing with residential issues, we will expect you to show a great deal of initiative and creativity while on the job. In addition to teaching full-length courses, faculty at the Intermediate Program lead workshops and activities. Faculty are expected to develop their own curriculum for courses and workshops with the support of our Curriculum Department. The sky is the limit in terms of what you can teach and accomplish with Intermediate Program students.

At the Intermediate Program, you will work hard while being challenged and engaged by a broad range of students who are eager, excited, and a great deal of fun. Days are long here, and the students are always on the go, but the personal rewards more than make up for the long hours and hard work. If you are seeking a solid professional experience with middle school students in a fun and challenging environment, the Intermediate Program is right for you.

Exploration Summer Programs is operated by Exploration School, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization.