Business Hosts

Blue Canyon Technologies

Location: Lafayette, CO
Website: Blue Canyon Technologies
Industry Served: Aerospace/Defense

Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, is a leading provider of turnkey small satellite solutions, including CubeSats and microsatellites. We specialize in precision-pointing platforms based on our high-performance attitude determination and control components. BCT’s highly experienced staff has developed low-cost, flight-proven, high-performance, high-reliability spacecraft systems and components that enable a wide range of missions for academic, commercial, and government applications. Our state-of-the-art spacecraft and subsystems are supporting LEO, GEO, Lunar, and interplanetary missions.

BCT has supported missions for the U.S. Air Force, NASA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and many others, and provided the Attitude Control Systems for the first interplanetary CubeSats, which successfully traveled to Mars.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: BCT will host teachers for a day-long tour of our labs and manufacturing floors, followed by a sit-down question-and-answer panel with various engineers and other employees.

Externship Dates: June 24, 2026
Externship Duration: 1 day
Number of Externships Available: Groups of 15-20 teachers
Compensation: To be determined
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience needed.
Onboarding Info: Not applicable
Other Requirements: Teachers must provide proof of U.S. citizenship before the externship.

*Blue Canyon does not allow any photos or videos to be taken in its building.

Colorado Air and Space Port

Location: Watkins, CO
Website: Colorado Air and Space Port
Industry Served: Aerospace/Defense

Colorado Air and SpacePort (CASP) serves as America’s hub for commercial space transportation, research, and development.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: Teachers will tour the CASP with the Deputy Director, and will learn about the operations of the Spaceport and its importance to the aerospace industry in Colorado. The Spaceport serves as a hub for commercial space transportation and research.

Externship Dates: To be determined
Externship Duration: 3 hours
Number of Externships Available: 5-10
Compensation: No compensation available
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No industry expertise required

Colorado Space Business Roundtable

Location: One week remote, one week in-person at various front range locations 
Website: CSBR Aerospace Teacher Academy - Colorado Space Business Roundtable
Industry Served: Aerospace

CSBR provides a forum to promote the growth of space and space-related industry in Colorado, with particular focus on small space businesses.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: Teachers will gain first-hand exposure and insights into aerospace careers in Colorado, while also building valuable relationships with community leaders and elected officials who are aerospace champions.

Externship Dates: June 8-12, 2026 Virtual Program; June 22-27, 2026 In-Person Colorado week, including the Air N Space-A-Palooza event on June 27, 2026.

Externship Duration: 2 weeks - one week virtual, and the other in-person.
Number of Externships Available: 4
Compensation: $3,000
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No expertise required. 
Onboarding Info: Interview required. See Flyer for details and new dates

Colorado Space Institute at ACC

Location: Castle Rock, CO
Website: Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Space Institute
Industry Served: Aerospace/Defense

The newly formed Colorado Space Institute at Arapahoe Community College aims to become a leader in space education and aerospace workforce development for Colorado students. Based at the Sturm Collaboration Campus in Castle Rock (Douglas County), the Space Institute will offer competency-based programming to grow the future of Colorado’s space workforce, focusing on three key areas: space data analytics, space operations, and space business.

Externship Type: Customized

Description: The Colorado Space Institute at ACC would like to provide educators an opportunity to learn more about the programs offered by the Space Institute, interact with Colorado Space Industry partners, become knowledgeable about space policy and ethics, and provide expertise in the development of space-related content for multiple disciplines, all to support the Institute's efforts to develop "space-minded" individuals. The educators will understand the priorities and projections/needs of the space industry. The educators will also play a major role in supporting the development of space-related content that will be embedded into curriculum across different ACC and other CCCS programs that may be brought back to their own classrooms.  Teachers will be expected to develop a curriculum as part of this externship.

Externship Dates: Tentative: June 15-July 1, 2026
Externship Duration: 3 weeks
Number of Externships Available: 3-5
Compensation: $2,500
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No content expertise required.
Other Requirements: Teachers from Arapahoe and Douglas County are preferred.

City and County of Broomfield Water Utilities Department

Location: Broomfield, CO
Website: Broomfield Water Utilities
Industry Served: Natural resources, environmental science

The Broomfield Water Utilities Department works across multiple divisions, including water resources, water treatment, laboratory analysis, stormwater, distribution, and collections, to ensure the community has clean, reliable water and a well-maintained infrastructure. Staff manage water supply, treatment, quality, distribution systems, wastewater collection, and stormwater management.

Externship Type: Customized Experience

Description: The teacher externship will explore key areas of local water and wastewater operations, highlighting real-world STEM applications across each division. Possible project areas include: Water Supply Planning & Conservation, Drinking Water Treatment & Quality, Wastewater Operations & Water Recovery, Stormwater Management & Environmental Protection, Infrastructure Maintenance & Emergency Response and Mechanical, Electrical and Control Systems. Overall, the externship will give teachers a comprehensive look at the science, engineering, technology, and environmental stewardship behind providing safe, reliable water services as well as provide insight into qualifications and expectations of entry level positions for high school graduates. 

Externship Dates: July 13-July 16 and July 20 - July 23, 2026
Duration: 8 days, 8 hours per day, for a total of 64 hours
Number of Externships Available: 1
Compensation: To be determined
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No specific experience needed
Onboarding Information: The extern will need to sign a waiver and liability release form. 

Other:  The Water Utilities Department seeks to extend its partnership with the teacher extern beyond the Summer 2026 program through collaboration in curriculum planning, classroom engagement, and student field trip opportunities. 

Encore Electric

Location: Lakewood, CO
Website: Encore Electric
Industry Served: Electrical, Technology, Construction

Encore Electric is an electrical and technology solutions construction and service firm. In short, we build the power, lighting and technology systems in large, complex, challenging commercial buildings throughout Colorado.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: 1-2 two-day tour of Encore's local office, with tours of the prefab shop in Aurora. CO and a visit to a local construction job site (full Personal Protection Equipment Required). This externship will include a visit to the local chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors (the nonprofit organization that educates Encore's apprentice electricians.)

Externship Dates: June 15-16, 2026
Externship Duration: 2 days
Number of Externships Available: Group of 5-10
Compensation: $500
Skills or Content Experience Preferred: No experience needed
Onboarding Info: Externs will be briefed on safety procedures prior to touring the active construction sites. Externs must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes for these experiences. Other Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) will be provided. 

Galloway & Company, Inc.

Location: Englewood, CO
Website: Galloway & Company, Inc.
Industry Served: Architectural and Engineering

Galloway is a nationally recognized architecture and engineering company that takes a Full Spectrum Approach to project design. For more than 40 years, Galloway built their business around a talented and diverse team of professionals, creating exceptional project solutions for clients and exciting professional growth opportunities for staff. Today, Galloway has more than 300 professionals holding registrations in 49 states.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: The teacher will spend time with each discipline for a few hours to learn how they contribute to each project, how they collaborate with others, and all other questions they may have. Because Galloway is multidisciplinary and we want to give the teacher as much insight to all sides of our projects that we can.

Externship Dates: Summer
Externship Duration: 1-5 days
Number of Externships Available: 1
Compensation: No compensation available
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience necessary
Onboarding Info: Minimal; an overview of the business and each discipline within the business will be provided.

p3 Communities

Location: Canon City, CO
Website: p3 Communities
Industry Served: Architecture, Construction

This is an architecture firm that develops all manner of commercial and residential projects and participates in community development activities, such as economic development, planning and zoning, strategic planning, and community engagement.

Externship Type: Customized

Description: Architectural practice involves schematic design and project development, scope determination, code compliance design development, construction documentation and drafting, technical specification writing, construction observation, community volunteer board involvement, small business development and facilitation. The teacher extern will be able to participate in all of these activities if desired.

Externship Dates: All year round
Externship Duration: Flexible
Number of Externships Available: 1
Compensation: To be determined
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Engineering (any type), trades and industry (manufacturing, construction, etc.) architecture and drafting
Onboarding Info: None
Other Requirements: Adhere to company privacy policies
 

Warehouse Business Accelerator (WBA)

Location: Loveland, CO
Website: Warehouse Business Accelerator    
Industry Served: Manufacturing, Technology, Startup Business Development   

Warehouse Business Accelerator provides flexible space for scaling manufacturing businesses and business support services in the form of mentorship, education, and community building. 

Externship Type: Industry Tour    

Externship Description: The intersection of manufacturing and entrepreneurship will change lives and drive the future economy - join us as we explore what entrepreneurship looks like in advanced manufacturing in micro- (under 15 employees) and small (under 100 employees) companies. The face of manufacturing is changing, and there are incredible companies in Colorado driving that change. The Warehouse Business Accelerator supports 15 businesses in their ecosystem on Forge Campus, home to over 50 companies. Businesses on campus are tackling problems related to energy sustainability, automation, communications, and more.  

Externship Dates: June 16 OR July 21, 2026 (select one)
Externship Duration: 1 day - 8 hours
Number of Externships Available: 48 (24 on each date)   
Compensation: $500 
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Open to all; however, experience or knowledge of computer science, IT, agriculture and engineering domains would be helpful.    
Onboarding Info: Pre-externship work to familiarize externs with WBA’s business model and background on current businesses will be provided. See WBA Externship Logistics Flyer for a complete description

Colorado Department of Agriculture, Division of Laboratory Services

Location: Broomfield, CO
Website: Colorado Department of Agriculture Lab Services | Laboratory Outreach Program
Industry Served: Agriculture

The Division performs laboratory services for CDA’s internal regulatory programs and some external customers. The purpose for this unit is to conduct timely and legally defensible chemical, microbiological and instrumental analysis of samples related to animal food, animal health, pesticides, soil, fertilizer, ground and surface water, industrial hemp and marijuana. In addition, the division serves as the primary source of measurement standards for the Department and provides volume and mass calibrations for Inspection & Consumers Services (ICS) field inspectors, Department of Labor and Employment and other external customers. The Division of Laboratory Services supports consumer protection by providing valuable services and consistent, reliable results with integrity, professionalism and impartiality.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: Learning how laboratory science and agriculture intersect through various testing methods.

Externship Dates: Scheduled all year
Externship Duration: 1 day
Number of Externships Available: Groups of 5-10
Compensation: To be determined
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Life Science - Biology, Chemistry
Onboarding Info: Not applicable
Other Requirements: Confidentiality agreement may be needed

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Location: Front Range 
Website: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Industry Served: Natural Resources, Environmental Science

As a state agency, CO Parks and Wildlife manages close to 1 million acres of land within 42 state parks and 346 state wildlife areas and oversees the management of 960 native wildlife species including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, which includes the hunting and fishing regulations of these species. Through an externship with CO Parks and Wildlife, educators will have the opportunity to learn more about our work which can include the incredible research happening in our state that informs management decisions, how wildlife management officers work with the public on human - wildlife conflict, and how we help the public better understand wise use of the natural resources of our state.

Externship Type: Customized Experience

Description: Coming Soon

Externship Dates: To be determined
Externship Duration:  
Number of Externships Available: To be determined
Compensation: To be determined
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Life Science /Biology, Chemistry, Earth or environmental science, Math, finance, Agriculture, farming, natural resources
Onboarding Info: To be determined

Other: Selection of teacher externs is handled by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Denver Animal Shelter

Location: Denver, CO
Website: Denver Animal Shelter
Industry Served: Animal Science & Healthcare

We provide animal care and protection services for all of Denver County. We foster the human-animal bond by protecting the safety and welfare of Denver's animals and people. Denver Animal Protection is committed to: Providing humane care to companion animals, Reuniting lost pets with their owners, Adopting pets to loving homes, Enforcing Denver County animal ordinances, Educating the public about animals, their needs and our critical role as a community resource. The Denver Animal Shelter is an open-admission shelter that is home to nearly 8,700 lost and abandoned pets each year.

Externship Type: Customized 

Description: Teachers may choose from any or all of these areas of focus:

• Veterinary Services: Veterinarians, Registered Veterinary Technician Supervisor, Registered Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants working in Shelter Medicine, herd health, high volume spay/neuter surgeries and other veterinary procedures.
• Field Services: Manager, Supervisors, Animal Protection Officers providing animal rescue 24/7, 365 days a year and enforce Denver County animal ordinances.
• Community Engagement: Manager, Social Worker, Navigators proactively providing community outreach education and resources to underserved pet owners to retain the human-animal bond and prevent owner-surrendered animals to the Shelter due to lack of resources.
• Shelter Services: Manager, Supervisors, Animal Care Attendants, Behavior and Transfer Coordinator provide care (food, bedding, clean kennels, socialization and enrichment) to our community's lost, unwanted, injured and mistreated animals that come to the Shelter.
• Client Services: Manager, Supervisor, Volunteer and Social Media Coordinator, Foster Care Coordinator, Client Services Representatives. We have over 400 volunteers that provide socialization, enrichment and foster homes to the animals in our care. Client Service Representatives assist the public with adoptions, owners surrendering animals, returning lost animals to owners, servicing clients during our low-cost vaccine clinics every Saturday and Sunday.

Externship Dates: Scheduled all year
Externship Duration: Depends on teacher preferences and area of focus
Number of Externships Available: As many teachers as are interested
Compensation: To be determined
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience necessary
Onboarding Info: Depends on the area of focus

*Owned animals or animals still on stray hold are not allowed to be photographed due to not having the owner's permission.    

Front Range Community College - Optics and Laser Technology

Location: Longmont, CO
Website: Front Range Community College - Optics and Laser Technology Website
Industry Served: Education for quantum, optics, and laser technology

The Optics & Laser Technology program offers education opportunities with two certificates and an associate's degree. We are Colorado's main optics/quantum technician training program. We work closely with industry members to align our curriculum to the skills they need.

Externship Type: Customized, Industry Tour

Description: We will focus on education in optics, quantum & laser technology as well as the local quantum industry. At the FRCC's Center for Integrated Manufacturing, we will describe the Optics & Laser Technology program, illustrate demos externs can use to teach quantum in class, and give an overview of what "quantum" is in relation to the front range quantum industry ecosystem. The next day we will organize multiple tours of local quantum companies for lab tours and conversations with industry members.

Externship Dates: June 17, 2026 at FRCC; June 18, 2026, for company tours
Optional - Invitation to participate in Photon Playground community/family outreach event on June 27, 2026
Externship Duration: 2 Days
Number of Externships Available: 15-20
Compensation: To be determined.
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience needed
 

QCamp

Locations:  Four Sites (choose one)

1. Colorado Mesa University - Grand Junction
2. St. Vrain/BVSD - Boulder/Longmont;
3. DPS/Emily Griffith Technical College - Denver
4. Aerolab - Grand Lake

Website: QCaMP - Sandia National Labs

Industry Served: Quantum Information Science

Sandia’s Quantum Information Program targets advances in the understanding and mastery of quantum systems for enabling the manipulation of information with greater sensitivity, speed, and security than is possible with classical information processing methods

Externship Type: Customized Experience

Description: Discover how the intriguing principles of quantum physics are revolutionizing the world of computing at our week-long summer camp designed for STEM educators! Participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of computing while engaging in hands-on activities that explore the often-perplexing phenomena of quantum physics. You'll have the opportunity to apply these concepts to solve computing, sensing, and communication challenges in innovative ways. Throughout the camp, you'll interact with world-class scientists, engineers, and industry leaders, gaining valuable insights and experience in this rapidly growing field to inspire your classrooms and communities. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the future of technology!

Externship Dates: June 22-26, 2026
Externship Duration: 1 week
Number of Externships Available: 50
Compensation: $1,000 
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience necessary
Onboarding Info: None 
Other Requirements: Application process managed by Sandia National Labs. 

Deadline:  Applications open Feb 2, 2026 and close April 10, 2026. 
Apply using the QCaMP Educators Program Application Form.

Quantinuum

Location: Broomfield, CO
Website: Quantinuum
Industry Served: Quantum Information Science

As the world’s largest integrated quantum company, Quantinuum is leading the development of the most powerful quantum computers and the most advanced quantum software solutions. With our full-stack technology and world-class scientists, we are rapidly scaling quantum computing to solve tomorrow’s biggest challenges.

Externship Type: Customized Experience

Description:  We will introduce teachers to quantum computing, Quantinuum, and the different jobs available by providing tours of our Broomfield facility, an overview of quantum technologies and interactions with various parts of our business (research, etc.). The project is designed to showcase the variety of careers, people and positions it takes to develop, operate, and deploy commercial-scale quantum computers.

Externship Dates: Summer
Externship Duration: 1-5 Days
Number of Externships Available: 3-5
Compensation: To be determined 

Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Physics, Math, finance, Computer science (e.g. coding, programming languages, software or app development, etc.), Engineering (any type), Trades and industry (e.g. manufacturing, construction, etc.)
Onboarding Info: Training will be provided during the externship.

Wolfram Research, Inc

Location: Remote

Website: Wolfram Research

Industry Served: Quantum, Computational Science, AI

Description: Wolfram Research is a pioneer in computational technology and STEM innovation. Over 35 years ago, we transformed mathematics and its applications with the creation of Mathematica. Since then, we’ve continued to build a powerful, unified system that supports education, research, and real-world problem solving across science, technology, engineering, and beyond. Externs will have the opportunity to explore examples of computational thinking in action, understand how our tools are applied in education, research, and industry, and gather ideas for bringing authentic, applied STEM experiences into their own classrooms. By engaging with Wolfram’s unified approach to computation, teachers will be able to better illustrate to students how the concepts they are learning today—from algebra to algorithms—connect to tomorrow’s innovations in AI, quantum science, and beyond.

Externship Dates: November 2025 through March 2026 - 16 weeks 

Number of Externships Available:  3

Compensation: $50/hour

Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth or Environmental Science, Math, Finance, Computer Science, and/or Engineering

Onboarding Info: Onboarding will take place in collaboration with CDLE, CDE and Wolfram, and will be customized to fit the externship structure and design.