SUMMARY
The Exploratorium Teacher Institute (TI) is a nationally recognized teacher professional development center that promotes inquiry-rich teaching and learning in middle and high school science classrooms. TI’s mission is to create and support a collaborative community of teachers, at all levels of their careers, through professional development that joyfully emphasizes the teaching and learning of science as a process for understanding the world around us. TI’s body of work includes face-to-face workshops, online courses and resources, and research on teacher learning that has been disseminated via media and peer-reviewed publications. This work is developed locally at the Exploratorium and implemented broadly through regional, national, and international partnerships. Learn more about our work at: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ti.
The Senior Science Educator/Physicist position is designed for a physicist interested in working in an informal education setting and supporting middle and high school science teachers in their efforts to make physics engaging for their students. This position will work closely with Teacher Institute faculty of PhD scientists and veteran classroom teachers in developing and implementing summer institutes and Saturday workshops, working with teachers in the classroom, and creating and delivering online programs. The Senior Science Educator/Physicist will provide science content support for Teacher Institute programs, including the creation of engaging, hand-on, inquiry-based activities for teaching science, and will provide consultation for special projects across the Exploratorium, including publications, online resources, museum public programs, and exhibit development, where appropriate. The position requires a proactive, highly organized person with excellent science teaching, science communication, and writing skills.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Design, organize, and deliver teacher professional development workshops.
- Provide doctoral level scientific expertise and pedagogical support to the Exploratorium, including consultation for exhibit designers, conducting training for floor staff, and assisting with museum public programs when needed.
- Develop middle and/or high school level science activities and learning experiences, including written descriptions for dissemination by the Exploratorium.
- Publish and disseminate successful activities and strategies within the area of science teacher professional development.
- Effectively teach science content to a variety of audiences, including teachers, the general public, and museum professionals.
- Communicate and represent the vision, goals, and activities of TI within the museum, to other organizations, and to the teacher professional development field.
- Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD in physics, or equivalent required.
- Minimum 5 years' teaching experience required: science teaching experience at the middle or high school level strongly preferred.
- Experience in designing, making, and troubleshooting lab and/or classroom equipment and materials.
- Proven ability to communicate science effectively.
- Demonstrated publication record in science, science education or equivalent.
- Experience in a leadership position on large NSF or equivalent STEM education project preferred.
- Successful track record in grant development, grant reporting, and project management.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and communication skills (both oral and written).
- Ability to work independently and within a team of scientists and master science educators.
- Ability to work on some Saturdays and evenings.
- Ability to travel to workshops and conferences both locally and nationally.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Open until filled.
This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week), exempt union position that includes benefits. All new teachers are initially hired on a fixed-term basis during their first teaching year. Re-hire to a regular teaching appointment is based on review of the employee's performance and suitability for the Exploratorium's teaching environment. Please, no phone calls in regards to this job.
The Exploratorium is committed to providing equal employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, marital status, pregnancy, veteran’s status or any other class protected by applicable law.
