Staff Scientist Educator: Physical Science

Summary

The Exploratorium has been a professional home and hub for preK‑12 teachers and leaders and a local laboratory for global science learning for decades. The Exploratorium Teaching & Learning Department works with educators and leaders in both formal and informal settings to create and facilitate transformative learning experiences for educators that impact science teaching and learning. Our team’s inquiry‑based pedagogy is foundational to the work of the Exploratorium.

We work with educators around the world, prioritizing the San Francisco Bay Area and California as well as the needs of under supported teachers, leaders, and learners.

The Staff Scientist Educator is a PhD scientist who is passionate about improving preK‑12 public education and excited to work in our informal education setting. The Staff Scientist Educator works closely with a faculty of veteran classroom teachers, PhD scientists, and educational researchers to develop and implement programs for preK‑12 science teachers and leaders. This role provides content support for programs, including the creation of hands‑on, inquiry‑based activities for teaching science.

The Staff Scientist Educator reports to the Director, preK‑12 Teacher Professional Learning.

• Collaborate on the design, organization, and delivery of teacher leader and/or educator professional development workshops throughout the year
• Develop preK‑12 science activities and learning experiences, including written descriptions, for dissemination by the Exploratorium
• Lead and develop new professional learning programming to advance the team’s repertoire of projects and partnerships
• Center equity and liberatory practices in the design and facilitation of all of our team’s offerings
• Teach, communicate, and present science effectively to a variety of audiences, including preK‑12 public school teachers, the general public, and museum professionals
• Provide strategic scientific guidance to the Teaching & Learning team’s Senior Scientist and Directors in relation to preK‑12 education and in support of transformative teaching and learning experiences
• Provide doctoral level scientific expertise and pedagogical support to the Teaching & Learning team and the Exploratorium, including consultation for other educators, exhibit designers, conducting training for floor staff, collaborating with lab scientists, and assisting with museum public programs when needed
• Represent the Exploratorium’s commitment to supporting preK‑12 science teaching and learning and advocacy for science
• Communicate and represent the vision, goals, impacts and activities of the team within the museum, to other organizations, and within the field of professional development
• Co‑develop a scientific agenda with the Teaching & Learning team’s Director of Learning Experiences and Senior Scientist, with a secure funding stream, that informs and improves the work of the Teaching & Learning team
• Publish and disseminate successful activities and strategies within the area of science teacher professional learning

• PhD in a physical science field, including but not limited to physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, earth science, environmental science, engineering or equivalent, required
• Five years of formal or informal teaching experience, with a preference for experience working with youth or science teachers
• Experience designing learning activities and/or experiences for non-scientist audiences
• Proven ability to communicate science effectively; explain complex ideas using basic principles from multiple science disciplines
• Proven ability to be proactive and highly organized
• Demonstrated publication record in science and/or science education or equivalent
• Experience in designing, making, and troubleshooting lab and/or classroom equipment and materials
• Ability to work independently and within a team of scientists, veteran science educators, and educational researchers
• Track record of being proactive and highly organized
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and communication skills (both oral and written)
• Ability to participate in Exploratorium programs and events that may occur outside of normal…