Eye Opener Volunteer

Description:

For more than 40 years, the Museum of Science 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, 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. The volunteers act as guides for groups of 2 to 5 students and provide individual attention and a warm, personal atmosphere that helps the children feel at home in the Museum. 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.

Responsibilites:

Each Tuesday morning, the students are grouped into sets of 2 to 5 and paired with a single volunteer for a tour of the Museum. Tours last approximately two hours and are 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.

Learn Museum emergency procedures.

Attend ongoing training and support through weekly in-service workshops on science or program-related topics.

Mentor the Eye Opener Youth volunteers.

Volunteer with a diverse and committed team.

Qualifications:

Minimum age requirement of 18 years old

Patience, sensitivity, and understanding of youth

Willingness to work with young children of all backgrounds

Interest in informal science education

Commitments:

Tuesday mornings (9:30-12:30) throughout the school year ONLY (October - June) or on a semester basis.

Minimum of four to six months