Steam Educator & Trainer

General Description

The STEAM Educator & Trainer brings science to life and lives to science by having the most fun with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM)! The Da Vinci Science Center seeks a fun, creative, knowledgeable, team-oriented, and dependable team member who enjoys working with people, learning about, and teaching STEAM concepts. Exemplary public speaking, organizational, and customer service skills are required. Under supervision of the STEAM Education Manager, The STEAM Educator & Trainer will display a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of their work and will assist in the development and delivery of educational programming to visiting school groups as well as youth programming through camps and classes. Responsibilities include facilitated classroom experiences in STEAM or hands-on learning stations located throughout different museum exhibitions. Programs will cover all areas of STEAM learning and include science disciplines such as health and wellness, astronomy, chemistry, physics, engineering, and computer science. The flexible schedule includes some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

 

SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

STEAM Educator Responsibilities Include:

• Adhere to the established policies and procedures of the Da Vinci Science Center.

• Facilitate the exhibit floor experience by engaging guests in activities and discussions related to the exhibits.

• Deepen the experience of visiting school groups by facilitating classroom-based, inquiry investigations to enhance the field trip experience.

• Attend and actively participate in training sessions to understand and implement the Da Vinci Science Center’s inquiry-based approach, STEAM content, and presentation techniques.

• Exhibit positive youth development in classroom management strategies.

• Work with other staff, interns, and volunteers to deliver programs to a diverse audience during special events or other specialized program needs.

·         Maintain excellent customer service by maintaining a positive and friendly attitude and through guest interactions by answering questions related to exhibit content, show times, directions, and other general information.

·         Adhere to daily program schedules and other rotational tasks as assigned.

 

Trainer Responsibilities Include:

·         Support delivery and development of youth programs such as camps, classes, and workshops.

·         Support an enhanced experience for school groups and other visitors by delivering and assisting with the development of informal interpretive programs at different places within the exhibitions, utilizing STEAM materials and artifacts as well as science specimens.

·         Serve as an example to all STEAM Educators in guest interactions, workshop facilitation, and positive youth development.

·         Assist in the orientation of new staff members and volunteers by conducting individual tours of the building, utilizing Microsoft 365, and completing timesheets.

·         Train new staff members and volunteers in workshops, exhibit facilitation, live science shows, and public programs, as assigned.

·         Assist in the coordination of educational programming and events.

o   Help to organize and prepare educational content, as assigned.

o   Member of the Curriculum Development Team

§  Test concepts and research standards alignment

§  Support PPC as Museum Experience representative

o   Help to order and prepare materials for use in educational experiences, as assigned.

·         Serve as Team Leader at least once per week.

o   Responsibilities may include turning on or shutting off exhibits at the beginning and/or end of the day, conducting morning meetings, greeting groups, adjusting daily schedules

o   May be required to serve as an early drop-off care provider or late pick-up care provider for camps

·         Equipment management (for example, laser cutter, tablets, Cyndi, etc.)

o   Participate in Operations meetings to ensure coordination across multiple teams

o   Coordinate technology needs with IT department as needed

o   Coordinate equipment needs with Facilities department as needed

o   Coordinate shared materials and resources needs with Outreach department

·         Office/Storage organization

o   Audit closets and cabinets to ensure properly stocked

o   Materials and resources in good working order; train and enforce proper 5S protocols

·         Collaborate with fundraising to execute in-building events, as assigned.

·         Other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications and experience

·         Some college level education or equivalent experience required, especially experience with early childhood education and/or science, technology, engineering, arts, or math coursework.

·         Background and/or strong interest in several STEAM areas.

·         Experience working with children, youth and/or families in a museum or other informal learning environment.

·         Can demonstrate strong educational skills and have a demonstrated commitment to delivering scripted learning experiences.

·         Can effectively manage groups of students in a positive manner while keeping learning and enjoyment at the focus of the experience.

·         Has excellent interpersonal skills.

·         Can follow the Da Vinci Science Center’s mission, vision, core values and policies as per employee manual.

·         Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) required.

·         Can work in a fast-paced environment with creativity, curiosity, integrity, and determination.

·         Can demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively share information across and between multiple disciplines and reach audiences with varied technical and organizational knowledge.

·         Bilingual a plus (Spanish and Arabic preferred).