[JOB] Maker Space Coordinator, New York Hall of Science

Background: Built originally for the 1964 World’s Fair, the mission of the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is to bring the excitement and understanding of science and technology to children, families, teachers and others by galvanizing their curiosity and offering them creative, participatory ways to learn. Today NYSCI offers an unparalleled range of 450 indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits, discovery labs, a science and technology library and special events that promote curiosity, creativity and discovery and invite visitors to explore STEM. NYSCI is the City’s only hands-on science and technology center and is committed to serving a broad audience, particularly low-income, minority and other underserved communities. Each year, NYSCI serves nearly a half-million visitors who are recognized as the most ethnically diverse population in the country, including children and families, students, teachers, community groups and more from every borough of New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties, the tri-state area, and beyond.

In September of 2010, the New York Hall of Science, in collaboration with Maker Faire, launched the inaugural east coast World Maker Faire. This two-day annual event brings together more than 25,000 youth, families, schools, community members, inventors, artists and artisans, designers, engineers, technologists, performers and more to explore, play and create. The event is part of the national Maker Movement, which has emerged in the last decade and is defined by a collaborative, open, creative and exploratory approach to Do-It-Yourself projects.

Creativity, imagination, play and hands-on learning are key to NYSCI’s after school programs and they are integral to engaging young people and their families in science and technology. The Maker Movement inspires young people to be creative, imaginative and inventive and offers new and powerful approaches to STEM education. NYSCI is developing programs that embody these principles and has become a thought-leader on how the Maker Movement can transform science education in schools nationally.

In March 2012, NYSCI will open the Maker Space, a 1,200 square foot area located in NYSCI’s historic central pavilion, which will be completely dedicated to running programs on making for youth and families.

NYSCI has approximately 90 full-time and over 150 part-time staff-members.

Function:  Assist in the coordination of a new activity area on the exhibition floor – the Maker Space – dedicated to participatory processes of visitors’ making, tinkering and exploring STEM content through hands-on approaches.

The Maker Space Coordinator will be responsible for assisting the Manager of Emerging Technologies with programming, materials, staffing as well as partnering with internal colleagues and with makers in the community.

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Work collaboratively with NYSCI staff and outside makers to create and deliver programming in the new Maker Space for families, adults, youth, and educators.
2. Coordinate all aspects of the Maker Space including staffing, communication with relevant NYSCI staff, the ordering of materials, maintenance of equipment, and working with External Affairs department to build public awareness.
3. Research materials, tools and equipment – including hardware and software to be used for Maker Space development, workshops and activities
4. Assist with as well, develop and implement both physical and digital making activities for youth, families, adults and school groups, from logistics to audience interaction
5. Research and report ways in which Making activities align and/or relate to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) topics
6. Complete other tasks as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Residents and Explainers.

Qualifications:

Education:   BA or equivalent degree in appropriate field.

Knowledge:  

• Commitment to the philosophy and mission of NY Hall of Science.
• Passion and knowledge about the use of technologies to support creative, engaged learning. Experience developing innovative and novel content for informal settings.
• An experienced practitioner and mentor in the making processes.
• Ability to get ideas accepted and to guide a group or individual to accomplish the task.
• Demonstrable experience in working with teams with the ability to harness team creativity and translate into effective programming.
• An effective collaborator, coordinator, team builder, and mentor and who is skilled at leveraging the talents of others and solving problems.
• Strong communications skills with the ability to express ideas clearly both in written and oral communications.
• Comfortable with a hands on approach, particularly an ability to improvise with audiences of varied ages, the use of hand tools, electronics, computer software, hardware and various other technologies
• Interest and/or abilities in sewing, knitting/crocheting, physical computing, open source hardware and software, video and audio production, fabrication, 3-D CAD programs, architecture, engineering and/or environmental sustainability a plus.
• Experience serving diverse audiences of children.

A science center, natural history museum, or children’s museum background is preferred but not required.

Compensation:   Commensurate with education, skills and experience, including an excellent NYSCI benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY:

Qualified candidates should send resume with cover letter and salary range/requirements.  No calls please.

Application Deadline:   March 15, 2012

Targeted Start Date:   March 31, 2012

Email to: department jobs@nysci.org

Please include job title in subject line.

The New York Hall of Science supports diversity in the workplace. NYSCI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and supports a drug free workplace