Discovery Center Volunteer Interpreter

Description:

The Discovery Center is an exciting, 4,200 square-foot learning center designed for the Museum’s youngest visitors (children ages birth to 8 years) and their grown-ups. Our exhibits allow children to explore a variety of real objects and age-appropriate tools, all set in immersive fantasy environments that encourage learning through play. Children and their caregivers are engaged in activities, experiments and conversations in order to experience the reward of discovering on their own, as they explore topics including: Biology, Geology, Physical Sciences, Engineering Design and the “process of science” more generally. The Discovery Center’s “Living Laboratory” program brings cognitive scientists from local university and hospital labs onto the exhibit floor to converse with adult caregivers about the scientific study of how children learn, and invite families to participate in active research studies. Volunteer and staff interpreters play a crucial role in facilitating visitors’ experiences, helping children develop their emerging science and engineering skills, and helping adult caregivers’ better understand the science of child development.

Responsibilites:

* Complete training outlined in the Discovery Center Volunteer Manual to become familiar with procedures, materials, and activities in the Discovery Center and the larger Museum.

* Welcome visitors and facilitate their use of the Discovery Center, by engaging young children and their grownups in experiments, activities and conversations about science and engineering.

* Exercise good customer service by sharing knowledge of the Museum's offerings, answering questions, and striving to ensure that each visitor's experience is enjoyable.

* Attend on-going training sessions (called “briefings”) to maintain familiarity with Discovery Center materials/procedures, current Museum exhibits/programs, and appropriate science teaching methods.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Interest or background in science, engineering and/or education.

* Ability to work with people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages, with a special interest in working with young children (under 8 years of age).

* Demonstrated maturity, self-confidence, reliability.

* Minimum age 14 years.

Commitments:

Four to six month commitment of one, 3.5 hour shift per week - shifts choices include: morning (9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.), afternoon (12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.), or evening (3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. – Friday only).

Additionally, attendance at the New Volunteer Orientation session is required as well as continuous participation in on-shift training and daily briefing sessions.