Fab Lab Educator [Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito, CA]

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Bay Area Discovery Museum has opened the world’s first Fab Lab specifically designed for early childhood, a model to be scaled and replicated internationally. A Fab Lab is a modern workshop or makerspace which includes computer-based innovation, design, and fabrication and intentionally builds STEM skills through hands-on learning. Originally designed by MIT as an outreach project to promote local entrepreneurship, Fab Labs now comprise a rapidly expanding, global network. The model has increasingly been adopted by middle and high schools for hands-on STEM education, but has yet to be adapted for early childhood.

The Fab Lab Educator is responsible for assisting in the creation and implementation of curriculum for the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Fab Lab space. The educator in this position will facilitate programming, including regularly scheduled weekend programs, for the public, for camps, and for school groups. Additionally, the Fab Lab Educator will assist in all aspects of the daily operation and use of the Fab Lab, including ordering, prep, organizing, and running the Fab Lab equipment. This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a work schedule of Wednesday through Sunday.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Facilitates Fab Lab programming for visitors, members, school groups, camps, and donors.
• Assists in creating, documenting and recording a curriculum suitable for the age ranges of each program.
• Serves as administrative lead for the Fab Lab and Fab Lab Assistant Manager
• Assists in collecting and recording evaluation from program participants.
• Works directly with the Fab Lab Assistant Manager to create projects and curriculum.
• Assists in all aspects of the daily operation and use of the Fab Lab.
• Creates projects using various design software including Illustrator, Photoshop, and 3d CAD software, and supports children’s use of these programs.
• Operates machines during events and programming as needed.
• Assists with completing large production/manufacturing projects.
• Interacts with and explains process to visitors while working on projects.
• Assists in the setup and clean-up of class sessions and maintains general cleanliness and organization of the space.
• Orders and organizes supplies for programming and production. Maintains inventory of supplies.
• Assists in organizing Fab Lab events and collaborative projects with other departments.
• Assists in managing Fab Lab program calendar and coordination and communication with other departments.
• As a part of the Public Programs team, takes on shifts as floor lead and facilitates programming for the Museum as needed.
• Provides excellent customer service while maintaining a safe, friendly, and orderly environment.
• Maintains standards for inter-departmental communication.
• Other duties and projects as assigned, including general programmatic support for the Museum.

Requirements

• Educational experience working with children ages 0-10 years required.
• Curriculum design experience strongly preferred.
• High quality administrative experience strongly preferred
• Detail oriented, punctual, and dependable
• Experience working with design software including but not limited to Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and some 3d CAD preferred
• Working knowledge of fabrication equipment such as a laser cutter, vinyl cutter, 3d printer, and CNC machine preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills and excellent customer service skills required.
• Ability to take initiative, work, and troubleshoot in a fast paced work environment.
• Ability to learn new technology quickly required.
• Bilingual in Spanish or Cantonese preferred.