Freedom School Instructor

Position Summary

The Freedom School Instructor is part of the Center of STEM Education within the STEM Equity and Education Division (SEED). This position is responsible for the seasonal delivery of STEM education programs that seek to inspire, support, and connect our audiences through participatory STEM experiences. Work collaboratively with STEM Freedom School staff. Facilitate learning experiences that translate STEM concepts that center equity into participatory learning experiences that are inclusive, engaging, fun, and educational for a broad range of learners. This position will be assigned to work onsite at the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) in Saint Paul, offsite at locations within the Twin Cities metro area, and in virtual camps as needed..

Job Duties & Responsibilities

1. Deliver STEM education experiences for youth and family audiences within the STEM Freedom School program onsite, offsite, or virtually.
2. Work collaboratively to support and improve STEM Freedom School. Contribute to a positive internal culture within SMM. Maintain an understanding of best practices for STEM education.
3. Understand and use appropriate diversity, equity, access, and inclusion strategies when working with learners with special needs and from diverse backgrounds. Work within our department to ensure STEM Freedom School is reflective of SMM’s Equity Value and Equity and Inclusions Statement.
4. Participate in professional development, mentor Servant Leader Interns (SLI), and seek out opportunities to deepen your understanding of STEM learning practices. Maintain a knowledge of the current state of informal educational practice.
5. Nurture and sustain critical museum relationships with external partners and stakeholders that contribute to the vision, experience development, engagement, inclusion, and access for STEM Education/SEEED/SMM audiences. Communicate with youth scholars while serving as a representative of the museum. 
6. Take care of shared resources such as educational materials, equipment, classrooms, and vans.
7. Work closely with the Senior Manager of Learning and Instruction and STEM Freedom School leadership to assure successful program delivery.
8. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Competencies

1. Communication: Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interaction with others and ensures that information is shared with others who should be informed.
2. Collaboration: Develops, maintains, and strengthens partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.
3. Customer Service: Demonstrates an understanding of the SMM mission by ensuring that their own interactions with internal and external customers consistently support the mission.
4. Fostering an Inclusive Community: Contributes to a museum environment, and people, that reflect and respond to the diverse needs and cultures of our community (internal and external).
5. Results Orientation: Focuses on providing a best in class visitor experience through work outcomes by meeting personal and organizational work objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: No formal education necessary.

• Experience:

1. Experience facilitating informal/formal learning experiences for a range of audiences. 
2. Ability to contribute and collaborate in educational team settings. 
3. Knowledge of research and experience implementing  STEM equity and inclusion best practices. 
4. Demonstrated knowledge of STEM trends, practices, and academic standards.
5. Applied knowledge of age appropriate content and pedagogy for preschool, school age and family audiences. 
6. Demonstrated aptitude for creativity, curiosity, passion, enthusiasm, integrity and a strong professional ethic.
7. Ability to provide leadership and guidance to youth staff.
8. Cultural competency and experience working with diverse communities.
1. Work Environment: Work both indoors in classroom settings and outdoors in all climate types, surrounded by more than 100 children.