Volunteer: Exhibit Interpreter
Title: Volunteer Exhibit Interpreter
Reports to : Education Programs Manager
Purpose: To provide Museum visitors with information about the nature and value of science as it relates to current exhibits, answer visitor questions, and conduct demonstrations related to exhibits.
Responsibilities
- Create an engaging atmosphere for visitor interaction and questions
- Effectively communicate information to visitors about exhibits and about the National Academies
- Conduct demonstrations related to individual exhibits to engage visitors
- Collect and report visitor questions and suggested improvements
Qualifications
- Enjoyment of life-long learning, especially regarding science
- Sincere interest and/or background in science
- Interest in serving the general public
- Ability to be courteous, respectful, and patient with visitors
- Desire to learn as well as teach
- Good oral communication skills
- Cooperative nature, including the ability to accept instruction and correction
- Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances
- Diplomatic; grace under pressure
- Professional manner and neat appearance
Training Provided
- Volunteer Orientation scheduled three times a year
- Occasional volunteer training for new programs
- Periodic Volunteer Updates
Time Commitment
- All Volunteers: Must attend one of the 3-hour Volunteer Orientation and training (offered on a Saturday in early June, the end of February, or the end of August from 9:30am–12:30pm)
- Weekday volunteers: One 4-hour shift weekly for one year (Monday-Friday)
- Weekend volunteers: One 4-hour shift bi-weekly for one year (Saturday or Sunday)
- Opportunities for participation in evening programs, group visits, field trips
Opportunities for Volunteering
Volunteers are essential to providing the ideal visitor experience. There are a variety of opportunities to contribute to the Koshland Science Museum ad volunteers. Some of these are:
- Assisting visitors in the museum during regular visits, group visits, and field trip programs
- Giving scheduled guided tours for visitors
- Gathering articles from identified resources related to the global warming exhibit to be made available on the Science Museum’s website
- Share your experience with other volunteers by helping develop talking points
- Facilitating hands-on experiences for visitors that correlate with the exhibits
- Updating a special part of the Koshland Science Museum’s website dedicated to volunteers to inform visitors of interesting facts related to the exhibits
Benefits
- Free museum passes
- Interaction with scientists and scientists-to-be from many backgrounds
- Empowering a new generation of citizen scientists and policy makers
- Opportunities for backstage participation in special events
- Discount at National Academies bookstore
- Participation in special appreciation events for volunteers
Complete and submit a Volunteer Application to apply for this position.
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