Discovery Center Volunteer 2020

Placement

The Discovery Center is the Museum’s exhibition designed for children, birth to 8 years, and their caregivers. Discovery Center staff and volunteers support young children and their caregivers by engaging in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) related activities, experiments and conversations. Our volunteers assist visitors as they explore real objects (like bones or fossils) from the Museum’s collection, use science tools (like pipettes or magnifying lenses), and learn through pretend play in our thematic exhibits. Volunteer interpreters are provided training in techniques for engaging visitors in age-appropriate STEM learning, as well as in a wide range of content areas (including biology, chemistry, physics, and geology). Our goal is to help children develop their emerging science and engineering skills, and help adult caregivers better understand the scientific study of child development.

Responsibilities

Engage visitors in practicing their science process skills through interacting with real objects, exhibit interactives, and immersive play environments, using informal education methods appropriate for diverse audiences.
Attend weekly professional development briefings and participate in ongoing training about best practices for facilitating learning experiences with young children and caregivers.
Represent the Discovery Center as well as act as an ambassador for the Museum by welcoming visitors, answering questions, and providing excellent customer service.
Regular and on-time attendance in order to support Discovery Center program commitments.

Minimum Qualifications

Interest and enthusiasm for early childhood and STEM education.
Ability to communicate with people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages, with a special interest in volunteering with young children (including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers)
Highly motivated, dependable, mature, and flexible.
Minimum age 14 years.

Commitment

One 3.5 hour shift per week (9:30am-1:00pm OR 12:30pm-4:00pm) for a minimum 4 to 6 month commitment.
Volunteer positions are scheduled seven days a week; shift availability dependent on program needs.
- Shift choices include: Morning (9:30am-1:00pm) or Afternoon (12:30pm-4:00pm).

Training

Attendance at a New Volunteer Orientation session.
Completion of E-Learning Module as assigned by Human Resources within the first two weeks of start date.

Supervisor

Coordinator, Early Childhood Development and Education