Voices of Oklahoma

Voices of Oklahoma is a paid, for-credit summer archaeology internship from the University of Oklahoma's Oklahoma Public Archaeology Network (OKPAN) for rising high school juniors and seniors in Oklahoma. Each cohort has no more than ten interns. The curriculum covers archaeology basics, careers in the field, and the history of Native American boarding schools in Oklahoma. The most recent session ran from June 9 to August 1, with two 1.5-hour virtual classes each week plus a multi-day, in-person field experience at OU in Norman. Interns earn 2 OU college credits, take an expense-paid field trip, and receive a $500 stipend when they finish. Instead of a final paper, each intern designs an academic poster, and the group works with a Native American artist on the annual Oklahoma Archaeology Month poster.

Open to Oklahoma high school students who are rising juniors or seniors and qualify for OU Concurrent Enrollment. The program is aimed at students from groups underrepresented in archaeology and on college campuses, including Native American tribal members, rural Oklahomans, low-income students, and first-generation college prospects. No background in archaeology is needed. Selection starts with a nomination from a teacher, counselor, or community member; students can self-nominate if a teacher or counselor supports them. Nominees then complete a short online application and a Zoom interview. Interns must be available for the full summer session. For the 2026 internship, nominations were due January 28 and applications in mid-February.