Education Facilitator (UC Berkeley Student Job)

The Education Facilitator works with learners of all ages (but primarily elementary-aged kids), making science fun with hands-on experiences in different exhibit spaces at The Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley’s only public science center. In addition to facilitating learning, this position also cares for the accessibility and safety of the learning spaces and communicates any perceived need to supervisors. 

Our job is to do science interactively and playfully, but we take our work seriously and understand the impact that it has on a learner’s relationship with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). In this position you will have the chance to collaborate with a supportive team, learn about science communication, inspire creativity & curiosity, and explore how to facilitate learning in exhibits related to Physics, Math, Nature and Engineering.

This position’s starting pay range is $18.67/hr – $18.92/hr, depending on experience. 

This position hires year-round depending on operational and program needs. Please refer to the table below for a guide on when to apply based on your desired start date.

Applications received after “apply before” dates may be deferred to the next term. Off-season hiring happens occasionally based on operational needs.

The Public Science Center Education Team represents the group of educators and volunteers who facilitate the variety of interactive experiences throughout The Lawrence’s Exhibits, Learning Labs and Guided Programs as part of daily operations and special events. Through research-based pedagogy, committed reflection on practice, and co-designed educational spaces and experiences, the team acts as the face and the core of The Lawrence’s in- person education landscape. 

Current exhibit/experiences offerings will include:

• Design Quest, an open ended design centered exhibit where learners apply their creativity along with physics and engineering principles to design, build and test things like paper rockets, wind turbines, parachutes, roller coasters and more;
• Making Music, where learners can explore properties and concepts related to music and sound;
• Ingenuity Challenges, a learning lab where learners usually spend an extended amount of time applying engineering design principles to build, test and collaborate on creations in response to a proposed prompt and facilitated design challenge;
• Outdoor Nature Lab, a space where visitors can interact with nature doing self-guided and facilitated observation-based activities.
• Hands-on Biotech, an experience for learners to engage with hands on activities centered around lab practices used in the biotechnology field.
• Animal Discovery Zone, a space where visitors can encounter and observe live animals
• Virtually Human, a collection of activities that help visitors learn about artificial intelligence
• Planetarium, an immersive dome theater where we conduct interactive presentations about astronomy & other topics

• Facilitates informal STEAM activities and experiences throughout the Science Center by initiating conversations with visitors and applying best practices and professional learning for education in order to support learning in a hands-on and inquiry based learning environment;
• Delivers basic public educational program presentations both informally (in conversation with a small number of guests) and/or in a more structured manner (a presentation for a bigger audience or guided activity for a school group);
• Maintains spaces and activities to ensure needed materials are available and exhibit elements are in working order;
• Communicates with supervisors and other departments to inform about exhibit and material needs;
• Ensures that the learning spaces are being used in a safe manner by communicating any perceived risks to supervisors;
• Participates in professional learning alongside peers. Engages in critical self-reflection to develop as an informal educator over time
• Work a minimum of 8 and maximum of 19.5 hours per week (during Fall and Spring semesters) or minimum of 12 and maximum of 40 hours per week (during Summer term), including at least one weekend shift (Saturday or Sunday)

Required:

• Knowledge of educational program content and objectives. Developing knowledge of educational theory, especially informal education, as well as customer service best practices required.
• Effective reading, verbal, written communications and presentation skills.
• Basic skills using online business software systems for departmental collaboration; Google suite.
• Previous experience with, ongoing interest in, or curiosity to learn about: equity and justice in education, critical pedagogy, learner-driven or learner-centered education, and/or self-directed learning.
• Ability to work for an extended period in a fast-paced and loud environment
• Outgoing and comfortable working with diverse audiences, large groups of people and visitors of all ages including children, adults, and staff
• Reliable transportation to The Lawrence Hall of Science on weekends and holidays (public transit is only available Mon-Fri)

Preferred:

• Knowledge of how to facilitate educational programs in an informal setting
• Able to facilitate in a language other than English

Student Assistant 3 (Lead Education Facilitator) & Public Education Specialist 

Will develop skills for: informal STEM education, education pedagogy, teamwork, communication, reflective practice and self-initiated growth, giving and incorporating feedback, public speaking, and time management.