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Hi Megan,

Please include me in this conversation.  

Thanks,

Regina 

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Megan Gray
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 6:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Training Volunteers to be effective exhibit facilitators

Our institution has an all volunteer exhibit floor staff (exhibit
explaining and general information).  We recognize the special needs,
benefits, and challenges volunteers (vs. paid staff) bring to this role.
Without regular, trained, experienced, floor staff available to train,
model, and evaluate volunteers in this role, volunteers have relied on
mostly content information resources and other volunteers (many of whom
have scientific backgrounds and experience versus educational
background, especially in the area of pedagogy).   While we have lots of
formal expertise in the community, we feel this sort of
didactic/information-focused approach is not as effective with our young
learners in our informal environment.  Therefore, we have developed and
implemented a new training approach for exhibit volunteers that focuses
on:


1)      Building rapport with visitors and tuning into their needs

2)      Creating a safe and inviting environment for exploration and
inquiry

3)      Using effective questioning strategies and unique "hooks" to
engage and inspire

I am looking to collaborate with fellow Volunteer and/or Program
Managers who lead their institution's volunteer explainers. I'd love to
share our new training outline with others and discuss best practices
and strategies for training  our volunteers to be successful with our
visitors.

Megan Gray
Manager of Volunteer Services
Chabot Space & Science Center
ph: (510) 336-7414
fax: (510) 336-7491
www.chabotspace.org<http://www.chabotspace.org/>

Stay Close, Go Far!
P Please consider the environment before deciding to print this e-mail.


Secrets of Egypt:  Now open through January 3, 2010 Explore the secrets of Egypt with our new exhibit, Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science, and the companion OMNIMAX film, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs.

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