The Wagner Free Institute of Science is a National Landmark, natural history museum and educational institution that fosters an understanding of contemporary science and the history of science through free programs. Founded in 1855, the Wagner serves 36,000+ people each year through its museum, library and extensive educational programs. The Wagner seeks a educator to engage and educate children and families in the Wagner’s community.
The Science Outreach Educator will work within the Children’s Education Department to develop and implement educational initiatives for children in North Philadelphia including the award-winning GeoKids program, an intensive hands-on science program for local elementary schools. GeoKids is a yearlong school day program, now in its 31st year, which relies on collaborative relationships with teachers, university partners and organizations across the city to create and deliver a hands-on science curriculum. The program takes place primarily within school classrooms and includes out-of-school field experiences, designed and facilitated by Wagner educators. The Wagner’s outreach programs require a skilled educator with an understanding of science and teaching. We encourage individuals from racially marginalized communities to apply because we believe having a staff that reflects the community we serve is critical to our ability to be culturally responsive.
As a member of the Children’s Education department, this educator will be part of a team of educators that facilitate museum programming for children and families. In addition to GeoKids, these programs include school field trips, museum engagement activities, Family Science Saturdays and Wagner to Go. The Science Outreach Educator supports the promotion of Wagner programming to the community and represents the museum in community based and citywide outreach events. All Wagner staff are trained to engage museum visitors, work in a historic site and are key to keeping the collection accessible.
Teaching Science in elementary school classrooms 50%
We are looking for an educator excited about teaching 2nd-3rd graders at our partner schools. Wagner educators meet each class weekly for 6 week or semester long units throughout the academic year. Second graders learn about states of matter and pollinators while third graders learn about weather and living things. The educator will be engaged with direct instruction approximately 8-10 hours a week. Each class, school and unit requires preparation to effectively reach students.
Coordinating science education with partner schools 15%
Working with teachers and coordinating out of school trips requires relationship building, listening and problem solving. We are looking for an educator that has great people skills to meet our partners where they are and make the learning experience significant for students and supportive for our classroom teachers and school partners. This position will also be responsible for managing hands on materials for all GeoKids classes and will work with student interns to stock and prepare materials for all classes.
Engage as team member of Children’s Education Department 15%
The Education Department is the largest team at the museum. Each team member has individual responsibilities but the group works as a whole to support each other when needed for classes or field trips. We work together to teach and share our joy of science, learning, this place (the museum, North Philly, planet earth). We make space for connecting with science, visitors, artifacts, young people, and each other in the service of our collective work.
Community Engagement 10%
Keeping the community informed about the free resources of the museum is an ongoing task. Information is distributed to community contacts via email, flyers and tabling events. We have a database and maps of community contacts that needs to be kept current and added to as connections are made.
Visitors & Museum services 10%
The museum is open to the public Tuesday-Friday and the first Saturday of each month. All institutional staff engage with visitors and support the Wagner’s goals to offer high quality free education programs, care for the historic building and collections, and create an equitable environment for all who visit and work with us.
Desired Qualifications:
· Minimum three years teaching experience required, teaching K-8 students in a school setting preferred
· Bachelor’s degree in science, education or equivalent experience
Physical Requirements:
· Ability to manage physical demands of an elementary school classroom and navigate school buildings and Wagner’s historic site which include up to two flights of stairs.
Compensation: Salary - $34-38K, plus generous benefit package that includes health, dental and life insurance; 403(b) pension plan; and PTO.
Hours: Full time, exempt
To Apply:
Please email a cover letter and resume assembled and attach into a single pdf to Holly Clark, Director of Children’s Education, [email protected] Please no phone calls.
Please label the pdf as LAST NAME, FIRST NAME_RESUME.PDF
Subject line of the email: Science Outreach Educator Applicant-Last Name, First Name
The Wagner Free Institute of Science is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
The Wagner Free Institute of Science is a National Landmark, natural history museum and educational institution that fosters an understanding of contemporary science and the history of science through free programs. Founded in 1855, the Wagner serves 36,000+ people each year through its museum, library and extensive educational programs. The Wagner Free Institute is committed to providing free public education in the natural sciences. It fulfills this mission by offering adult education courses and children’s lessons and programs; by maintaining a natural history museum open to the public; and by providing public tours, special seminars and symposia. In keeping with the Institute’s Articles of Incorporation, all programs are offered free of charge. The Wagner also maintains natural history specimens available for scientific study, and a library and archive for scholarly research. As a National Historic Landmark, the Institute is committed to the preservation of its historic building and collections and to providing education in the history and development of science in America. https://www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org/