Department: Education
Department Contact: Jackie Young- Gallery Staff Manager
Description/Duties: School Program Tour Guides work with Gallery Education staff to provide visiting school groups with engaging, effective, inquiry based learning experiences. Tour Guides lead class groups (grades PreK- 3rd) through the museum exhibits and facilitate learning for students through questions, exploration and play. Tour guides present exhibit information to groups of students as well as facilitate storytimes and science experiments.
Training provided/ required:
• General Volunteer orientation and application.
• Museum Education Volunteer Training
• Shadow experienced tour guides (At least 3 shadows )
• Attend Monthly tour guide trainings (First Tuesday of every month 8am-10am).
• Attend content area trainings as applicable.
Commitment: Tour Guide volunteers commit to a minimum of 8 hours per month for at least 3 months
Shifts: Tuesday – Friday 9:15- 11:30 and 11:15- 1:30. Occasionally 1:15- March- June are the busiest months for tours. We have a higher need for volunteers during spring semester, but we do employ tour volunteers through out the year.
Considerations: Tour Guide volunteers must be energetic and able to walk or stand for long periods. Experience and/or interested in informal learning and science education preferred. Volunteers must be willing to perform some minor cleaning duties (sanitizing toys and activity supplies as needed). Comfort in working with adults and children of all ages, race, abilities and background required. Spanish fluency helpful.
How to apply: All new volunteers will need to complete an application, background check and orientation. The application is available at the link below. Orientations are held every first Wednesday of the month from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Museum. If you plan to attend, please contact Jessica Wilson, Volunteer Coordinator at 512-472-2499 x210 or jwilson@austinkids.org so you can be added to the roster. Dinner is served for all orientations so RSVP is required.
Download Volunteer Application.
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