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Eye Opener Volunteer

Description

For more than 25 years, the Museum of Science Eye Opener Program has been working with the Boston Public Schools to bring the exciting world of science to second grade students from across the city. Each year, approximately 3000 students from over 45 Boston schools visit the Museum to explore, ask questions, and find answers. Since 1986, generosity from the Germeshausen Family Foundation has supported the Eye opener program in providing a guided museum experience for second graders.

With the help of a large corps of volunteers, the program introduces these students to the Museum and gives them a chance to engage in science. Eye Opener volunteers encourage exploration and the excitement of discovery as they share the Museum with the children. They achieve these goals through conversation, hands on experimentation, exploration of exhibits, and practicing scientific thinking skills with program participants.

Responsibilities

Each Tuesday morning, the students are grouped into sets of 4 to 6 with a pair of volunteers who give them a tour of the Museum. Tours last approximately two hours and tailored to the interests of the students.

Learn the lay-out of the Museum to share and explore with second graders the exhibits which may be interesting to them.

  • Encourage children to observe, compare, describe, ask questions and expand and share ideas.
  • Know Museum emergency and safety procedures.
  • Attend ongoing training and support through weekly in-service workshops on science or program-related topics.
  • Mentor the Eye Opener High School volunteers.
  • Work in close collaboration with a diverse and committed group of volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Patience, sensitivity, and understanding of youth
  • Willingness to work with young children and high school students of all backgrounds and abilities
  • Interest in informal science education

Additional Details

Commitment

  • We ask that you give us one 3.5-hour shift per week for at least four to six months.
  • Tuesday mornings (9:30-12:30) throughout the school year

Training

Attendance at the New Volunteer Orientation session is required.

  • Continuous in-service training and briefings
  • Shadowing more experienced volunteers