Human Origins Exhibition Volunteer

Volunteers will facilitate meaningful and interactive experiences
using exhibition-based, learner-centered activities and programs
designed collaboratively by the Office of Education and the Human
Origins Program for the Human Origins exhibition to stimulate
awareness and understanding of what it means to be human. Volunteers
will accurately and enthusiastically describe and discuss the origins
of humans in terms of the scientific evidence for evolution discovered
and explored by the museum's scientists and their colleagues.

There are three opportunities to assist visitors in the Human Origins
exhibition:

Exhibit Discover Station Guide:

-Facilitate brief, hands-on, object-based, concept-driven,
problem-solving activities with authentic objects, sometimes at mobile
carts
-Introduce simple observational and interpretive techniques
and skills for gathering and weighing evidence and reaching
conclusions that scientists use in their research

Exhibit Interpreter:

-Engage visitors or groups in brief conversations using
authentic objects and a variety of questioning techniques
-Introduce visitors to the organization and themes of the exhibition
-Direct visitors to "must see" exhibition objects and "must
do" computer interactives
-Assist visitors in using and understanding the interactives
-Guide visitors to appropriate exhibits for answers to their
science-related questions

Interactive Tour Guide:

-Lead scheduled, 30-40-minute long, 8 to10 stops,
semi-scripted tours of the exhibition for groups of 15-20 visitors
-Introduce the main messages and concepts of the exhibition
and highlight selected objects and the stories they tell and/or the
stories that are told about them.

Training:

-Five- evening sessions beginning April 18
-The engaging and interactive training will be led by researchers

Knowledge and Skills:

-General knowledge of or willingness to learn about natural
history, biological evolution, and/or paleo-anthropology
-General knowledge of or willingness to learn about how
people learn from objects
-General ability to, or willingness to learn how to, identify
the interests and knowledge of a broad range of visitors and
facilitate a learning experience suited to the needs of a particular
individual or group
-Ability to accurately and enthusiastically introduce and
describe the origin of humans in terms of the scientific evidence for
evolution
-Ability to work independently
-Verbal communication, public speaking, and questioning skills
-Ability and self-discipline to conduct directed, independent study
-Ability to work with diverse audiences

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For more information, please e-mail [log in to unmask], using the
subject line Human Origins Volunteer.