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Please include me in this discussion!

Sarah Clark
Manager of Volunteer Resources
Orlando Science Center
407-514-2223 (phone)
407-514-2067 (fax)
www.osc.org
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-----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/>

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