Teacher Externship Summary
Program Totals
| Program year | Number of Business Hosts* | Number of Externs | Number of School Districts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | 37 | 12 |
| 2025 | 30 | 121 | 22 |
* Unique hosts were counted only once, even if they hosted more than one externship or participated in more than one partnership.
Externship Experiences - 2024 and 2025
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | Number of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CareerWise Colorado CareerWise Colorado works every day to create opportunities for students and employers through modern youth apprenticeship. We envision a world in which work-based learning such as apprenticeship is integrated into our K12- and higher-education systems so that the economy is fueled by practical skills and any student can find a path to economic prosperity. | Industry Tour | Teachers gained a comprehensive understanding of registered apprenticeships, participated in onsite company tours, and learned about career pathways in this growing sector. The program specifically focused on the registered apprenticeships offered by CareerWise Colorado in advanced manufacturing, and teachers toured the following companies CoorsTek, Emerson, and PTA Plastics. | 4 | 25 | 1 Day |
| CareerWise Colorado Extension | Customized RAP | Curriculum Development: Two teachers created lesson plans for their students. Based on the insights gained during the CareerWise Colorado externship, two externs developed shareable curriculum and curriculum resources. These resources will enable other teachers to guide students toward appropriate career pathways within the advanced manufacturing industry. | 0 | 2 | 1 Week |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | No. of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Canyon Technologies
Blue Canyon Technologies, 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 upon 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. | Industry Tour | Teachers toured this subsidiary of Raytheon company that produces small turnkey satellite solutions, including CubeSats and microsatellites. Teachers toured two different facilities, had hands-on experiences, and participated in a panel Q/A session with engineers to learn about job requirements and career preparation for the field. | 1 | 9 | 1 Day |
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is building a road to space for the Benefit of Earth, by focusing on lowering the cost of access to space, harnessing the vast resources of space and inspiring future generations. | Customized | The extern will serve as a curriculum developer to bridge the gap between complex aerospace technology and education for professional customers and K-12 students. The extern will work closely with Blue Origin's Mission Management team to develop educational content focused on a reusable, heavy-launch vehicle (New Glenn) and to collaborate with Blue Origin's non-profit, Club for the Future, to develop engaging K-12 classroom resources that inspire the next generation of STEAM leaders | 1 | 1 | 4 weeks |
Colorado Air and SpacePort (CASP)
Colorado Air and SpacePort (CASP) serves as America’s hub for commercial space transportation, research, and development. Colorado Air and SpacePort's Website Reaction Engines is a British aerospace company known for pioneering work in air-breathing rocket engine technology, particularly SABRE. | Industry Tour | Seven teachers toured the CASP with the Deputy Director. Teachers learned about the operations of the Spaceport and its importance to the aerospace industry in Colorado. Teachers also toured Reaction Engines, a rocket engine technology company with a test site at the SpacePort. The Spaceport serves as a hub for commercial space transportation and research. | 2 | 7 | 1 Day |
Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR)
The Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR) brings together aerospace stakeholders from industry, government, and academia for roundtable discussions. Our organization is united by a common desire to advance the growth of Colorado aerospace. Together we embody the voice of Colorado aerospace from startups to government and academic stakeholders….. we strive to be a collective voice for the aerospace industry. | Industry Tour | CSBR included five teacher externs in its summer programs for 120 students from Colorado and Alabama. Teachers facilitated one virtual week with more than 20 aerospace-focused businesses and professional associations in June and one in-person week for the Colorado students in June, July and August. Through this experience, teachers gained 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. | 1 | 5 | 2 Weeks |
Colorado Space Business Roundtable
See description above Colorado Space Business Roundtable's Website
| Customized | One teacher worked collaboratively with members of the CSBR and other partners to create a curriculum that could lead to an industry-recognized credential for “Security Clearance Readiness.” This credential will demonstrate to potential employers that the candidate is knowledgeable about and understands what it takes to complete the security clearance process. The curriculum will also give students insight and exposure into careers that require a security clearance, and the advantages of pursuing careers in these areas. | 1 | 6 Weeks | |
Colorado Space Institute at Arapahoe Community College The newly formed Colorado Space Institute at Arapahoe Community College (ACC) 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. | Customized RAP | The Colorado Space Institute at ACC provided 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 developed an understanding of the priorities and projections/needs of the space industry. The educators also played 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 were expected to develop curriculum as part of this externship. | 1 | 6 | 3 Weeks |
Sierra Space & iQ3Connect
Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company with over 30 years and 500 missions of space flight heritage, is innovating in the Orbital Age®. They are building an end-to-end space business and technology platform, reinventing space transportation with Dream Chaser®, the only commercial spaceplane, and the future of space destinations with inflatable and expandable space station technology. The company also provides orbital services to commercial, DoD, and national security organizations and expands production for constellation programs. Additionally, Sierra Space develops various systems and subsystems, including solar power, mechanics, environmental control, life support, propulsion, and thermal control, offering diverse space-as-a-service solutions for the new space economy. iQ3Connect provides a web-based VR/AR training and collaboration platform used by industry and higher education to create and deploy immersive learning, training, and work instruction experiences. | Full Immersion | One teacher focused on Extended (XR) and Virtual Reality (VR) as critical tools to the aerospace workforce. The extern worked with the Sierra Space XRVR Engineering lead to stand up a virtual workspace that enabled device-agnostic access to vital information for the first Dream Chaser Spacecraft, Tenacity. This virtual workspace drove collaboration across departments, focusing on manufacturing and quality engineering, via visualization of some of the world’s most advanced CAD models. | 2 | 1 | 10 Weeks |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | No. of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Denver Animal Shelter
DAS provides 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. | Customized | One teacher interested in animal science and animal welfare designed an experience focused on veterinary services, field services, community engagement, shelter services, and public services, which involve helping pet owners with adoptions, surrenders, or reuniting lost pets with their owners. | 1 | 2 | 3 Days |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count | Number of Interns | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Galloway & Company (pending scheduling) 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. | Industry Tour | 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. | Pending rescheduling | 0 | TBD |
P3 Communities This is an Architecture firm. We develop all manner of commercial and residential projects as well as participate in community development activities including economic development, planning and zoning, strategic planning, and community engagement. | Customized | Teacher extern learned about multiple facets of the architectural practice, including 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. | 1 | 1 | 4 months |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | No. of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
African American Trade Association
African American Trade Association (AATA) provides career exploration and internships to minority students. | Customized | One teacher extern supported students participating in a four-week Climate Adaptation and Resilience Academy as well as a two-week summer internship program for Denver Public Schools students interested in construction. | 1 | 1 | 8 Weeks |
Encore Electric
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. | Industry Tour RAP | Two teachers joined this electrical commercial construction service firm for a two-day externship that provided an overview of operations, visits to active construction job sites and the prefab shop, and a visit to the local chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors, the nonprofit organization that educates their apprentice electricians. | 1 | 4 | 2 Days |
Independent Electrical Contractors - Rocky Mountain Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) is the premier energy trade associations for different regions in Colorado, and the largest electrical apprenticeship training program in the U.S. IEC is dedicated to educating, promoting, and advancing the electrical industry by offering required training to obtain and retain electrical licensure and providing industry support and services. Independent Electrical Contractors - Rocky Mountain's Website
| Customized RAP | IEC's teacher externships provide an immersive experience into the electrical industry and the apprenticeship training process. Educators gained a comprehensive understanding of licensure requirements, career pathways, and the vital role of apprenticeship programs in workforce development. The experience included a guided tour of our training campus, an overview of Ohm’s Law, device and wire preparation, power and hand tool identification, and a hands-on switching lab. Additionally, participants visited an active job site with one of our contractor members, offering an opportunity to engage with electrical apprentices, journeyworkers, and project managers to see real-world applications of electrical work. This externship equipped teachers with valuable industry knowledge to better guide students toward rewarding careers in the skilled trades. | 1 | 3 | 1 Day - 1 Week |
Independent Electrical Contractors - Western Colorado See description above Independent Electrical Contractors - Western Colorado's Website | Customized RAP | See description above. The externship at WCIEC provided exposure to registered apprenticeships and training programs offered in western Colorado in multiple electrical trades. | 1 | 1 | 5 Days |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | No. of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colorado Energy Office & iQ3Connect The Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps qualified Coloradans save money, increase comfort, and better their homes and environment through proven, energy conservation solutions. Colorado Energy Office's Website | Full Immersion | Four teacher externs developed a training curriculum for the CEO using iQ3Connect's web-based virtual reality platform. This curriculum enhanced CEO's weatherization assistance program, which helps Coloradans save money by increasing efficiency and conserving energy in their homes. The training will ultimately be used by new and existing CEO employees to introduce them to the work or enhance their skills. | 1 | 4 | 2-5 Weeks |
Colorado Springs Utilities For 100 years, we have proudly served the Colorado Springs community with safe, reliable and competitively priced utility services. Since 1924, our focus has been on the basics - providing exceptional service while keeping costs low for our customers. Today, we continue to deliver electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services to the Pikes Peak region while our customers still enjoy competitive prices, exceptional hometown service, responsible environmental practices and a voice in how their utility operates. | Industry Tour RAP | Externships included working with our Technical Crafts Training team developing and facilitating training for apprenticeships to working with our engineering teams on a specific design project. | 1 | 2 | 3 Weeks |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | No. of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Galloway & Company
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. | Industry Tour | One teacher completed an externship at this construction-related engineering firm with focus areas in civil, mechanical, structural and architectural engineering. | 1 | 1 | 3 Days |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | No. of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is a national leader in conservation, recreation and wildlife management. We are Colorado’s primary agency focused on protecting and caring for our most valued and valuable resources. These resources form the very fabric of our state and define who we are. Our mission is to manage wildlife, maintain a quality state parks system and provide outdoor recreation opportunities that inspire the people of Colorado and our visitors. | Customized | Six teachers spent time in the field near Brush, Colorado working at the Aquatic Health Lab learning about fish health/diseases and how to do fish dissections with students. Teachers are developing related curriculum to be shared with CPW and publicly to enhance K-12 environmental science lessons for students across the state. | 1 | 6 | 2 Days + monthly meetings |
Colorado Parks and Wildlife See description above | Customized | In 2025, the guiding question for the externships will be, "How do we determine the success of species conservation efforts?" The focus will be with invertebrates (mainly bees) and connecting with some Community Science efforts that will be great ways to involve students in actual science. The project may also connect with Bald Eagle researchers and the GIS/data team. The externship will be held in Denver. Teachers will receive a backpack of equipment/material they can use in their classrooms based on the field investigations they learn during the week. Initial lesson development will take place during the week, and teachers will be able to immediately use these lessons in their classrooms once school starts. | 1 | 2 | 1 Week |
Colorado Department of Agriculture, Division of Laboratory Sciences
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. Colorado Department of Agriculture, Division of Laboratory Sciences' website | Industry Tour | Externs engaged in a tour of the labs and learned how laboratory science and agriculture intersect through various testing methods. | 1 | 4 | 1 Day |
CSU Spur
CSU Spur is a free public offering of a university system, striving to connect urban and rural communities by bringing awareness and appreciation of the food system, water, and health to a broad audience, engaging the next generation in various careers, and creating innovation to serve rural communities. Spur is a part of the evolution of education and focuses on investing in the development of the next generation. Through its urban location, CSU Spur creates connections and appreciation for rural communities in Colorado and will continue to work to honor CSU’s rural and agricultural roots. | Customized | CSU Spur's teacher extern worked alongside the School Programs Coordinator and Senior Education Manager to enhance and align our field trip and school programming to Spur's mission, as well as Colorado Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. This externship offers an opportunity to influence real-world learning experiences that connect directly to Colorado classroom instruction. | 1 | 1 | 4 Weeks |
Denver Water
Denver Water is the largest drinking water utility in Colorado, serving 1.5 million customers in the metro Denver area. As a public service entity, Denver Water plays a large role in discussions about water in the West as well as engaging in work to steward water as a natural resource and community necessity in the face of dramatically shifting water availability and pressure from growth. | Customized RAP | The operation of a drinking water utility covers a wide range of careers and expertise. The Denver Water externship will invite educators to experience a small selection of the collection and distribution facilities and careers that make it possible to deliver drinking water to customers. Participants went into the field with survey teams to view construction and improvement projects; toured a drinking water treatment facility and reservoir; and explored educational resources and how these may fit in the classroom. | 1 | 5 | 1 Week |
| Business Agency/Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | Number of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Creative Dining Services Creative Dining Services creates personalized dining programs that reflect our client’s brand, build their community, and accomplish their goals. Creative Dining serves over 80 businesses, colleges, and senior living communities across the United States. | Industry Tour RAP | Externship will focus on exposing teachers to apprenticeship opportunities available in the culinary and hospitality industries. Externs will observe industry trends, opportunities and work culture. They will be exposed to science in culinary arts, food chemistry, nutrition science and food safety. | 1 | 1 | 1 Week |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | No. of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandia National Labs - Quantum, Computing, Mathematics and Physics (QCaMP)
Sandia National Laboratories is operated and managed by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc. National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia operates Sandia National Laboratories as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and supports numerous federal, state, and local government agencies, companies, and organizations. | Industry Tour | Nine teachers participated in QCaMP on the CU Boulder campus. In this three-day experience, designed by Sandia National Laboratories, teachers learned fundamental principles of quantum computing and quantum physics, and how to apply these principles to real-life scenarios. They also gained access to resources for bringing quantum concepts into the classroom. This experience created a foundation for more immersive quantum-focused externship experiences in the future in alignment with Colorado’s designation as a Tech Hub in the Elevate Quantum consortium. | 1 | 9 | 3-5 Days |
Sandia National Labs - Quantum, Computing, Mathematics and Physics (QCamp)
| Industry Tour | Forty-three teachers participated in QCaMP at six sites across Colorado. In this five day experience, designed by Sandia National Laboratories, teachers learned fundamental principles of quantum computing and quantum physics, and how to apply these principles to real-life scenarios. They also gained access to resources for bringing quantum concepts into the classroom. This experience created a foundation for more immersive quantum-focused externship experiences in the future in alignment with Colorado’s designation as a Tech Hub in the Elevate Quantum consortium. | 6 | 43 | 4-5 Days |
Quantinuum 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. | Industry Tour | This externship introduced 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. | 1 | 6 | 3 Days |
| Business/Agency Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count* | No. of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ReadingXR
READING XR is a tool for evaluating reading fluency, using eye movements to identify the underlying factors causing reading difficulties. READING XR employs mixed reality technology with eye tracking capabilities to help parents, teachers, and doctors understand a student's reading capabilities. | Full Immersion | One teacher was trained on a HoloLens mixed reality device, within the Reading XR platform. This teacher used the device to test 30-35 adults and students on reading fluency, comprehension, and eye-tracking patterns. | 1 | 1 | 4 Weeks |
American 3D Printing
3D CAD modeling, Engineering, 3D printing, 3D scanning, 3D printer sales, 3D printer material sales, 3D printer repair, 3D printing | Industry Tour | Three teachers spent time inside a 3D Printing shop in Evergreen to learn about CAD Modeling, engineering, manufacturing, 3D printing, scanning, and equipment sales/repair. | 1 | 3 | 1-2 Days |
| Business Agency/Host | Externship Type | Externship Description | Host Count | Number of Externs | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fortified Academy We offer a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) continuum of care through both a pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship program, supporting individuals who are justice-exposed, students without a clear path after high school, and veterans. As the first program of its kind in Colorado, we are dedicated to providing guidance and opportunities for career development in the trucking industry. | Industry Tour RAP | Teacher extern worked along with Fortify staff to learn about apprenticeship programs designed to prepare students for careers in the transportation (trucking) industry | 1 | 1 | 1 Week |
Teachers who participated in externships in 2024 and 2025 work in the following Colorado school districts:
- Academy District 20 (Colorado Springs)
- Adams 12
- Aurora Public Schools
- Boulder Valley School District
- Brighton 27J
- Canyon City School District
- Cherry Creek School District
- Colorado Charter School Institute
- Colorado Springs D11
- Denver Public Schools
- Douglas County School District
- East Grand School District
- Jefferson County Public Schools
- Kiowa County School District RE-1
- Littleton Public Schools
- Mesa County School District D51
- Montrose School District
- Poudre School District
- Pueblo District 70
- St. Vrain Valley Schools
- Weld County RE-4 Public Schools
- Westminster Public Schools