The following position may of interest to some of the regular readers of this blog. I know the Director there very well. -Dr. Petrosino
Department: Sara Lee Schupf Family Center for Play, Science, and Technology Learning (SciPlay)
Reports to: Director of SciPlay
Job Code: 19.3041.00
FLSA Status: Exempt (Professional)
*Background*: The New York Hall of Science, New York City's only hands-on science museum and host to close to a half a million visitors every year, serves the most ethnically diverse population in the country --- reflecting the institution's home borough of Queens and also that of the greater metropolitan area. Built originally for the 1964 World's Fair, NYSCI continues to capture the spirit of discovery and innovation that was at the heart of this event. NYSCI offers an unparalleled range of 450 interactive exhibits that invite visitors to explore varied aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). By combining these exhibits with the country's largest outdoor Science Playground along with discovery labs, teacher-training programs, and internationally replicated science education programs for urban youth, NYSCI brings the excitement and understanding of science and technology to children, families, and teachers throughout the New York metro-region and beyond.
Our mission is to bring the excitement and understanding of science and technology to children, families, teachers, and others by galvanizing their curiosity and offering them creative, participatory ways to learn. NYSCI has approximately 90 full-time and over 150 part-time staff-members.
*Departmental Role*: SciPlay is a new applied research center on Play, Science, and Technology Learning. SciPlay designs and studies how to use play as a medium for science learning across both informal and formal education settings. SciPlay runs numerous initiatives that utilize the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) as a laboratory for studying learning. The project most immediately relevant to this position is "SciGames: A Technology-enhanced Model for Bridging Informal and Formal Science Learning" funded by the National Science Foundation's Transforming STEM Education program and the U.S. Department of Education's Investing in Innovation program. This project focuses on supporting middle school physics learning through students playing technology-enhanced playground games with companion classroom digital apps. This work is in collaboration with Learning Games Network, Parsons The New School of Design, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and the New York City Department of Education.
*Function*: Design hands-on, technology-based science curriculum grounded in pedagogical research and best-practices in informal science education. Manage consultants and coordinate work of internal and external collaborators and project staff. Manage day-to-day project needs including recruitment of teachers, coordination of curriculum piloting and implementation and teacher professional development. Perform administrative tasks in support of the SciGames project and SciPlay department.
*Principal Responsibilities*:
1. *Science Curriculum Designer*
· Contribute inquiry-based science education expertise to the development of play-based playground games designed to teach middle school physics
· Contribute inquiry-based science education expertise to the development of digital apps with which students/teachers use data from the playground games back in the classroom
· Coordinate the prototyping and development of the games and apps.
· Produce instructional sequences and related materials that will guide students' and teachers' use of the game and apps
· Design and deliver professional development workshops and materials for teachers to orient them to the use of playground games and digital apps
2. *Teacher Network Coordinator*
· Recruit cohorts of teachers as consultants for design work, focus groups, and project prototyping events, in collaboration with the NYC DOE
· Plan and lead teacher meetings and coordinate teacher work to enrich the project
3. *Project Manager*
· Coordinate efforts of project team members and contractors
· Research, purchase, store, and manage project related materials
· Work with finance department to process contracts for project collaborators
· Coordinate, plan and schedule meetings, conference calls, etc.
· Reserve rooms and museum spaces for meetings and project events
· Assist with drafting documents and powerpoint presentations for presentations.
4. Complete other tasks as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
*Qualifications*:
*Education*: B.S. ideally in a physics-related field and 5 years of instructional experience in informal and/or formal settings; M.A. or M.S. in science education or related field preferred.
*Knowledge*:
· Deep knowledge of physics subject matter
· Knowledge of how students learn and how to create inquiry curriculum for engagement and deep learning.
· Commitment to the philosophy and mission of the New York Hall of Science.
· Careful attention to detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
· Ability to plan and organize the activities of others.
· Passion and knowledge about the use of technologies to support creative, engaged learning. .
· Strong communications skills with the ability to express ideas clearly both in written and oral communications.
*Experience*:
· Experience in science curriculum and professional development design.
· Experienced in using computer-based instructional technologies; experience designing and building such technologies is a plus.
· Instructional/teaching experience in science in formal and/or informal settings
· Experience working with science teachers in a professional development context.
· Experience an effective project manager, team builder, and collaborator, skilled at leveraging the talents of others.
· Experience assisting in education research preferred.
· 5 years experience in lead program roles is preferred.
Compensation: Commensurate with education, skills and experience, including an excellent NYSCI benefits package.
The New York Hall of Science supports diversity in the workplace. NYSCI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and supports a drug free workplace
*HOW TO APPLY:*
Qualified candidates should email both resume and cover letter and salary range/requirements to *jobs@nysci.org <mailto:jobs@nysci.org>*. Please include "SciPlay" in subject line. No calls please.
*Application Deadline: July 2, 2012*
*Targeted Start Date: Immediately*
. . . .
David E. Kanter, Ph.D.
Director, SciPlay:
The Sara Lee Schupf Family Center
for Play, Science, and Technology Learning
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY, 11368
nysci.org/SciPlay <http://nysci.org/SciPlay>
dkanter@nysci.org <mailto:dkanter@nysci.org>
718.595.9174
