Curriculum Designer/Project Manager, NY Hall of Science
JOB DESCRIPTION
*Position Title: Curriculum Designer/Project Manager
*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 institution¹s home borough of Queens and also that of the greater
metropolitan area. Built originally for the 1964 World¹s 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 country¹s 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 ³SciGames:
A Technology-enhanced Model for Bridging Informal and Formal Science
Learning² funded by the National Science Foundation¹s Transforming
STEM Education program and the U.S. Department of Education¹s 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 students¹ and teachers¹ 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*. Please include ³SciPlay² in
subject line. No calls please.
*Application Deadline: July 2, 2012*
*Targeted Start Date: Immediately*
*Don’t forget to visit the Museum-Ed Web site for programs, archives,
sample documents and more. www.museum-ed.org.*
