The STEAM Educator, as a member of the STEAM team, is responsible for developing and delivering quality, fun, and engaging STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) experiences for all museum constituents—including child and adult visitors to the Museum and others outside of the Museum (educators, caregivers, families) who use our resources. These experiences may include, but are not limited to: hands-on programming in the STEAM and Art Labs, vacation weekend programming, school programs, and activities related to grant-funded initiatives that occur both within the Museum and offsite with schools and other community organizations. Educators will also train Visitor Experience Ambassadors (floor staff) in facilitating activities within STEAM exhibit areas within the Museum.
The Educator will report to the Senior Director, STEAM, and will work with team members and others within the Museum to create and support delivery of activities and programs that support participants (mainly children and their caregivers) in developing STEAM Habits of Mind and Skills (such as curiosity, creativity, persistence, experimenting, communicating, and developing craft) and supporting the approaches and values outlined in the Museum’s Learning Framework. Across all of our projects and resource development work, we seek to make the museum accessible and relevant to all families in our diverse community and value the Museum’s equity, diversity, and inclusion work.
- Develop and lead engaging, educational, and fun interactive programs and experiences for children, families, and educators, for use inside and outside of the Museum. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Working collaboratively with colleagues within the STEAM team and on other teams.
- Participating in or leading brainstorms with team members in order to identify engaging topics and developmentally appropriate experiences.
- Creating developmentally meaningful learning experiences that support the Museum’s Learning Framework.
- Writing, editing, or otherwise documenting activity or program descriptions/lesson plans.
- Supporting iterative testing of activities, including scheduling testing sessions within the Museum or in educational settings outside of the Museum, facilitating and participating in observations of activities.
- Incorporating feedback from colleagues, observations, teachers, students, and evaluation professionals.
- Delivering programs across stages of programmatic development (from first-time pilots to established programs).
- Support STEAM team’s assigned exhibits by overseeing day-to-day functionality and ensuring a quality visitor experience; develop programming and other learning experiences related to exhibit content.
- Train Visitor Experience Ambassadors and other staff as needed in the delivery of activities and programs.
- Facilitate school/group/community/camp programs, and participate in brainstorming and development of new programs for these audiences.
- Assist with planning and delivery of major team and Museum events, such as programming for school vacation week, summer, and other large-scale celebrations.
- Serve visitors from diverse populations in a courteous and professional manner.
- Act as a Museum liaison to related community partners outside of the institution.
- Support institutional and departmental initiatives, goals and operations.
- Participate in required all-staff activities, discussions, meetings, and trainings.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Requirements
- Some college experience or equivalent work experience preferred.
Preferred Requirements
- If applicable
QUALIFICATIONS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Requirements:
- Experience with children ages 0 – 10.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in museum education, afterschool, camp, or similar setting (or classroom teaching plus demonstrated understanding of community/informal educational settings).
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with diverse, intergenerational audiences, in an energetic, friendly, and professional manner.
- Experience developing and implementing educational experiences, including public programs and activities.
- Experience supporting large-scale public events or programs.
- Ability to network and support collaborations with community partners.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Comfortable presenting to large groups.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
- Proven ability to problem solve and think flexibly, and to learn and grow from experience.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, and comfortable presenting to large groups.
- Excellent organizational and computer skills.
Preferred Requirements:
- Fluency in a second language.
Physical Demands: Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, and use a telephone. Occasionally kneel/crawl, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, and grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 21-40 pounds.
Work Environment: Ability to work in a lively, often noisy, and sometimes crowded environment with the public and with young children. Work is performed routinely within the Museum setting, but on occasion may require work performed outside. General office environment, shared common office space and equipment.
(Benefits eligibility is based on regular weekly hours per week)
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Up to 12 Sick days
- Mass Earn Sick Time
- Up to 10 Vacation days
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Qualified Transportation Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Short- Term & Long-Term Disability
- American Alliance Museum Access
- New England Museum Association Access
- Free Admission to 100+ Museums
jobs@bostonchildrensmuseum.org
OUR MISSION
Boston Children’s Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning.
OUR VISION
Boston Children’s Museum is a welcoming, imaginative, child-centered learning environment that supports diverse families in nurturing their children’s creativity and curiosity. We promote the healthy development of all children so they will fulfil their potential and contribute to our collective well-being and future prosperity.
OUR VALUES
Creativity. Respect. Excellence. Accountability. Thoughtfulness. Equity.
Boston Children’s Museum is a curious, experimental, and creative learning organization. We have a child and family centered focus, welcoming and respecting all Museum audiences. We collaborate and show mutual respect and support for our colleagues. We recognize that each person has equal, intrinsic worth and deserves to be treated with dignity. We are a culture that innovates, changes, and pushes boundaries to keep the museum relevant. We are responsible to each other and strive to keep our commitments to our colleagues. We have a commitment to high ethical standards. We recognize the importance of work-life balance, respecting the importance of personal growth and family. We have an ongoing commitment to fairness in all aspects of the Museum and we embrace alternative ways of thinking.
