FAO Schwarz Fellowship Institute

The Franklin Institute (TFI), the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, strives to be the world leader in promoting science and technology education and literacy through inspiring and engaging experiences that cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and an understanding of the crucial role science plays in our lives.

At TFI
, we provide an environment that is as nurturing as it is dynamic. Our team-oriented approach allows for ample learning and career growth opportunities. We think you will find TFI offers the ideal atmosphere in which to best use your skills and talents. We are eager for your input, ideas, and inspiration.

The Fellow will work with high school students in TFI’s STEM Scholars program and facilitate STEM activities for youth and family audiences at community events for their direct service work. In addition, as part of their strategic project work, the Fellow will assist TFI’s Youth Programs team to build, activate, and sustain a STEM Scholars Alumni Council.

The FAO Schwarz Fellow will support student programming for high school students in The Franklin Institute's STEM Scholars program and provide mentorship in communication and skills development to prepare students for internships, college, and careers.

The Fellow will also facilitate STEM activities for youth and family audiences at community events, focusing on hands-on experimentation that encourages asking questions, scientific thinking, making connections, and cultivating dialogue.

• Build STEM Scholars cohort relationships among students through mentorship and program support, alongside the Youth Programs team: support ongoing delivery of bi-weekly PACTS and weekly STEM Scholars workshops, guide participation in a collaborative youth challenge project, spend consistent time with students to build strong personal rapport, and lead community building activities for each cohort.
• Work with STEM Scholars and Ambassadors on developing effective communication skills, both for public outreach and professional presentations: assist in leading new Ambassador trainings focused on building workforce development skills, reinforced through practice in weekly meetings.
• Present hands-on, interactive STEM activities for youth and families at community outreach events.
• Facilitate summer programming around science research design and technical skills for STEM Scholars, leading discussions and lessons on building scientific research skills, and reviewing and providing feedback on ongoing student research projects (Year
  2).

Based on feedback from recent STEM Scholars program alumni, the Fellow will assist the Institute's Youth Programs team to build, activate, and sustain a STEM Scholars Alumni Council.

The Fellow will also be responsible for strategic components of a youth-focused network project and for developing a sustainable STEM activity toolkit for future training and use at Franklin Institute community events.

• Build and activate a STEM Scholars Alumni Council: research best practices for alumni engagement within out-of-school time programs (Year
  1); determine methods for member selection, membership expectations, and select Council members; determine focus areas through discussions with Council members; develop and deliver at least one alumni engagement or professional development opportunity; and implement a robust alumni database and communication plan, including collecting alumni stories for student connections, public communications, and donor stewardship.
• Develop communications and training assets, participate in professional development, and work with project evaluators to provide feedback on a museum network project (Year
  1…