ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Rebecca -
There are so many science centers, and so many positions within them,
and - here's the trick - no two job descriptions are the same! With your
experience as a writer and your emphasis on science, though, I suspect
your ideal job description might be something like: "contributes to the
development of exhibit ideas, writes and tests exhibit sign and
supporting material content" and so on. I hope that's close.
The thing about those sorts of jobs is that sometimes they're in
exhibits, and a person literally has a full time job writing sign copy
(usually the larger museums - Franklin Institute, Boston MOS, etc.). In
smaller places, you might be a member of the education team/department,
and in that capacity might be called on not only to write sign copy
(less total time because less total opportunity - smaller places don't
develop as many exhibits), but might also be called upon to write and/or
deliver public programs, teacher's guides, and so forth.
So my advice to you might be to decide a range of possibilities for
yourself, and then see what's available when you finish your degree.
The only person I know to contact at the MOS in Boston is Christine
Cunningham, who does grantwriting and research. But she might know what
the avenues are for you there and might even make you aware of some
projects on which you could work with the MOS on your thesis. I seem to
remember plans for partnerships toward that end up there.
I hope this helps.
Bill
Bill Watson
Research Assistant, SCALE-uP
The George Washington University
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
Department of Teacher Preparation and Special Education
2134 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
Phone: (202) 994-1171
Fax: (202) 994-0692
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rebecca Miller
Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 11:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Seeking career advice, esp in Boston area
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****
Dear list,
I have been reading and learning from you all for several months, and
I'm now turning to you for information and advice on my career path.
I am about to begin a masters program at the Harvard Graduate School of
Education, with an independent focus on public understanding of
science. For the past several years (after leaving the bench) I have
been working as a science writer and creator of online educational
tools for Columbia University. I have come to Harvard for some more
formal educational training and experience with creating educational
science content in other (non-new) media.
I have long thought I would like to work in a science center in some
creative, content-related position. However, I know very little about
the roles of the various people and departments in a science center or
museum, so I'm not sure where I might best fit.
Since I am starting to look for a fall internship in the Boston area, I
am hoping someone on this list will be willing to give me some advice
and talk with me about what you do and what might suit me. I am also
hoping someone from the Museum of Science in Boston will be willing to
talk to me specifically about that institution.
Many thanks,
Rebecca Miller
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