Education Associate I

Museum of Science, Boston

Innovation and creativity come from the unique perspectives of a diverse staff. We value your perspective.

Who We Are

As science and technology increasingly shape our lives, the Museum of Science strives to equip and inspire everyone to use science for the global good while keeping up with the pace of change. Among the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution, we engage nearly five million people a year – at Science Park and in museums around the world, in classrooms, and online.

The Museum’s singular location connecting Boston and Cambridge puts us at the junction of some of the world’s most influential academic institutions and industries, local and state government, schools, and the public. Trusted by each sector, we are ideally positioned to convene, inspire, and create meaningful experiences for all. Come join us on our mission to inspire a lifelong love of science in everyone and living our vision for a world where science belongs to each of us for the good of all of us.

Why We Need You

We are seeking an enthusiastic educator and science communicator who is excited to share their passion for STEM with the public. We need someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where we engage many audiences (including families, school groups, and community members) in a variety of STEM topics and experiences.

What You’ll Accomplish

As an Education Associate I, you will learn, develop and deliver engaging STEM educational programs and experiences in the exhibit galleries, from the stages, in the community and via digital platforms individually and as part of the daily education teams (In-Gallery Learning, Live Presentations, Community Outreach). The programs and experiences must be accurate, relevant, innovative in pedagogy and exemplify educational excellence. The programs must also be safe, accessible, exciting, understandable, and inspire a love of science in everyone.

• You will support the development of new types of educational experiences and contribute to creating new demonstrations/activities for all education channels. You will contribute to the department’s broad range of duties including creating digital content, researching, updating information, developing demonstrations, programs and activities, exploring new technologies to create a suite of innovative offerings so we can deliver content at the pace of science. Assist in development of educational goals and support materials.
• You will learn to teach responsibly and safely using Museum educational resources and tools including live animals, chemicals, high voltage equipment (Thomson Theater of Electricity), demonstration apparatus, biological materials, and more.
• You will learn to support the training/mentoring of part time staff, volunteers, youth staff and interns as they learn and deliver new programs. Answer questions from volunteers and model best practices for guest service and informal science education.
• You will participate in ongoing training and professional development to grow skills around safety, science content, presentation techniques, educational pedagogies, and current trends in STEM education research and practices.
• You will assist in performing routine maintenance on/in stages, gallery spaces, and other teaching spaces and learn the various equipment used within those spaces and channels. Assist in managing and maintaining these spaces and resources by stocking educational materials as needed.
• You will spend time in the exhibit halls walking, standing, sitting, talking and presenting as you interact with visitors. You will move educational materials by pushing/pulling, lifting and stooping/bending. You will occasionally climb ladders and travel off site.

What We’re Looking For (Competencies)

• Enthusiasm : Exhibits passion for and excitement for teaching, learning and sharing science in a variety of formats in an informal science education setting. Zeal for exploring new methods and continual improvement of your individual teaching skills and MOS educational practices.
• Intelligence/Life-Long learner : You bring strong STEM content knowledge and are excited to research and learn about emerging topics in science. Demonstrates ability to quickly and proficiently understand, absorb, and synthesize new information. You enjoy staying up-to-date with science in the news and are happy to teach and learn from guests and visiting experts.
• Communication : You are skilled in communicating complex science ideas in everyday language and teaching a variety of STEM topics. You have demonstrated abilities to create inclusive learning environments and build rapport with a diversity of learners.
• Collaboration : Work as a productive member of a team toward a common goal. Contributes to team discussions, seeks out and works with others, and encourages others to contribute to the process to improve the team’s efforts towards their goals. Flexibility/Adaptability: You will work on multiple projects, on several teams and do independent work to get the job done. Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and conditions. Copes effectively with complexity and change.
• Calm under pressure : Maintains a calm demeanor in stressful situations while working with the public, ability to respond to unexpected circumstances, improvise solutions on short notice, and adapt programs to different audiences.

How We Work-Our Values

Everyone : We are everyone’s museum. We pursue equity and celebrate every person for who they are. We foster an inclusive environment in which we value and respect diversity.

Service : We serve our colleagues and community. We hold ourselves accountable to be a trustworthy public resource, and to support a sustainable, just and evidence-based future.

Learning : We love learning. We are curious about the world and want to share our joy and wonder with others. We value open minds and recognize that everyone has more to explore, discover and create.

Connection : We find strength in connections. We collaborate across communities, organizations and disciplines to make science relevant and accessible to all.

Boldness : We dream big. We boldly push ourselves forward, pursuing new ideas and challenges. We experiment and learn from our failures as we seek to inspire purpose, spark imagination and encourage hope

Salary Range: $20 USD - $25 USD

The Museum of Science is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.