Needs From: Baltimore County Volunteers

The Family Science Night program is part of the Maryland Science Center’s outreach programs.  Family Science Nights take place during after school time in elementary and middle schools across the state of Maryland. Volunteers of this program facilitate hands-on STEM activities for students and their family members. These 2-hour long events take place on Tuesdays, Wednesday, or Thursdays depending on the bookings received.

Duties: Facilitate activities at school sites—including greeting, engaging, and assisting participants in STEM exploration Model developmentally appropriate behavior with children Assist in maintenance of Family Science Night supplies and equipment Provide feedback and evaluation of activities and events Required Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Comfortable speaking to crowds of all ages—elementary school aged children to adults Comfortable working independently in busy environments Training: Training for activities will be provided prior to Family Science Night events Schedule: Events take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays depending on the bookings received Transportation to the event location from the Maryland Science Center is provided. Staff and volunteers leave the Maryland Science Center between 3pm – 4:30pm to travel to the event location. Volunteers may also choose to provide their own transportation and meet at the location of the event. Event start times differ depending on the needs of the school. Most events start between 4:30pm -6pm. Shifts last between three and six hours due to the travel time needed plus set up, clean up, and runtime of the

Work on a team to facilitate the running of The Shed, a maker space exhibit geared towards children in second grade and above. Interact with children, their families, and school groups as they learn by doing. Engage groups with fun, hands-on STEAM activities and support the daily operation of this makerspace.

Duties:

Support guests as they learn through tinkering. Responsibilities include facilitating DIY activities with an emphasis on creativity and experimentation, as well as maintaining activity materials and the program space. Applicants should have basic tool skills and willingness to enthusiastically embrace a wide spectrum of making, from woodworking to papercraft to sewing. Prior experience in customer service and interaction with school-age children is highly desired.

Required Skills: Experience working with young children in a group setting Friendly, pleasant demeanor; at ease with people of all ages Flexibility Experience and/or interest in at least one of the following areas: woodworking with hand or power tools, electronics and soldering, hand or machine sewing, making molds and casting various materials. If you have some other handy skill, please let us know! Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for periods of time up to one hour Ability to work with children at their eye level (i.e. ability to get onto floor and get up again) Ability to lift up to fifty pounds Training:

Provided by The Shed staff

Minimum Commitment:

Two 4-hour shifts per month

Join us on the most exciting day of the month to help teach kids about science! Promotional days take place once a month and have additional special activities centered around a specific theme—like Bubble Days, Flight Fest, or Astro Adventure. Volunteers will work a station with an activity in 2.5 hour shifts.

Duties: Greet guests and explain the activity Inform guests about Maryland Science Center rules, exhibits, show times, etc. Assist guests with the activity should they need it Required Skills: Excellent communication and customer service skills; at ease with people Ability to exhibit great patience with school-aged children and their adult chaperones Previous teaching experience a plus, but not required Training:

Training for your assigned activity will be provided by the Marketing Assistant. You will always be trained before speaking to guests.

Schedule:

Promotional days take place on Saturdays or Sundays once a month, year-round. Shifts are typically available from either 11:30AM – 2PM or 2PM – 4:30PM.

Share your passion for all things astronomical by volunteering in the Crosby Ramsey Memorial Observatory, located on the rooftop of the Maryland Science Center. This position involves assisting Observatory Staff in running public programs. Volunteers will use a computer-controlled telescope to assist guests as they view the sun, moon, stars, planets and other astronomical events.

Duties:

Usher guests to/from the Observatory Provide general explanations to guests regarding astronomy topics Engage guests waiting in line in the Observatory; offer them a general idea of what to expect Locate sunspots on The Sun Operate main or subsidiary telescopes Facilitate activities for guests

Required Knowledge/Skills:

Ability to speak to and deal with public in courteous and friendly manner Outgoing; at ease with people of all ages Prior knowledge of astronomy and telescopes

Physical Requirements:

Ability to ascend and descend stairs to and from the Observatory

Training: Will be provided by Observatory staff. You’ll learn how to run the 1927, 8″ Alvan Clark refracting telescope, as well as other telescopes at our disposal.

Schedule: Must be able to assist at least once a month for Friday evening or Saturday afternoon public viewing (more if you can). As with anything related to observing the sky, all Observatory volunteer shifts are weather dependent.

The Maryland Science Center is proud to be the home to the St. John Properties IMAX Theater. This five-story, 38 surround-sound speaker theater plays a variety of IMAX films. Volunteers are needed to ensure guests have the best IMAX experience possible.

Duties as an Usher: Collect tickets and assist guests as they enter and exit theater Assist seating large groups Clean and maintain the theater between films Help Maryland Science Center guests have the best visit possible.

Lobby ambassadors provide visitors with a warm welcome and are on hand to collect ticket stubs and answer questions. This is a great role for volunteers who are at ease interacting with the public and have excellent customer service skills.

Duties as a Lobby Ambassador: Welcome guests, hand out map guides, and provide general information Scan tickets as guests enter the science center and ensure guests are wearing the day’s colored wristband Act as quasi-security for the front harbor lobby to ensure visitor safety and satisfaction Roam exhibit floors, answer questions, and ensure guests are having a safe and pleasant science center experience Refer complaints in a courteous manner to the manager of the day Required Skills: Excellent communication and customer service skills; at ease with people Dependability Ability to exhibit great patience with school-aged children and their adult chaperones Physical Requirements: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time Ability to use stairs both inside theater and in exhibits Comfortable working in low lighting (usher work) Training:

Provided by Guest Services

Schedule:

4-hour shifts are available Wednesday-Sunday.

Minimum Commitment:

Two consistent 4-hour shifts per month, for a minimum of three months. A willingness to volunteer for additional hours is always welcome!

Help us keep the Maryland Science Center clean and safe for visitors and staff! Our housekeeping volunteers help us with light vacuuming, wiping down exhibit surfaces, and occasional mopping. Volunteers spend time on the floor in exhibits and must also present a positive impression to our guests while working in public spaces. A clean, hygienic space is more important than ever to help our guests feel safe while learning.

Duties: Light vacuuming throughout the public spaces Wiping down surfaces throughout exhibits and the public spaces throughout the science center Occasional mopping in the front entrance & security lobby Help Maryland Science Center guests have the best visit possible. Required skills: Excellent communication and customer service skills; at ease with people Dependability Comfort with cleaning materials and cleaning agents Physical Requirements: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time Ability to use stairs both inside theater and in exhibits Comfortable working with semi-heavy equipment (vacuum) and bending/kneeling Training:

Provided by Guest Services

Schedule:

4-hour shifts are available Wednesday through Sunday.

Minimum Commitment:

Two consistent 4-hour shifts per month, for a minimum of three months. A willingness to volunteer for additional hours is always welcome!

The Marketing and Development Departments are looking for help with large group mailings. These volunteer positions are ideal for those wanting to contribute to the Maryland Science Center behind-the-scenes in a relaxed but hard-working atmosphere. Group mailing volunteers help the Maryland Science Center stay connected with its Members and Donors and, therefore, are vital to the Maryland Science Center’s continued success.

Duties: Folding letters, stuffing envelopes Pre-sorting mail according to Zip Code in compliance with non-profit postage standards Stamping and sealing of finished envelopes Required Skill: Organized and thorough Good eye for detail Training:

Provided by Marketing and Development staff

Schedule:

This is an on-going, as-needed position. Opportunities to volunteer are usually presented at least two weeks in advance. Generally, there is one large mailing per month, usually occurring on Wednesday mornings.

Minimum Commitment:

One 4-hour shift per month, for a minimum of three months. A willingness to volunteer for additional hours is always welcome!

Help the thousands of school children have the best field trip ever at the Maryland Science Center! Field Trip Ambassadors board arriving buses to greet students, teachers, and chaperones. They inform everyone of the Maryland Science Center’s guidelines, provide a brief overview of exhibits, and assist teachers/chaperones with the check-in process. Ability to provide information in a cheerful manner a must.

Duties: Board buses and greet students with a smile Inform students and chaperones about Maryland Science Center rules, exhibits, show times, etc. Assist teachers/chaperones with check-in Help students safely exit their bus and enter the building Required Skills: Excellent communication and customer service skills; at ease with people Ability to exhibit great patience with school-aged children and their adult chaperones Foreign language skills a plus, especially Spanish Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods of time Ability to climb in and out of buses Training:

Provided by Guest Services

Schedule:

School year only, October-June. Shifts are available Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday mornings, 9am-12pm.

Minimum Commitment:

Two 3-hour shifts per month, from March – May 2022. A willingness to volunteer for additional hours is always welcome!

Duties: Help keep the shop clean and organized Perform finishing tasks, as needed: sanding, filling, painting and clearcoating Sharpening and maintaining tools Build exhibit pieces under the direction of Exhibit Fabricator Respond to calls to fix component on the exhibit floor Preferred Skills: Experience with hand tools, hands-on detail-oriented work Any of the following skills: woodworking, cabinetry, welding, machining, 3D printing, 3D modeling and/or drafting, general fixing or handy skills Some knowledge of A/V wiring, computer operated mechanical systems Comfortable lifting up to 25lbs. Expert knowledge on CNC Routers or machining highly sought, but not required Training:

Shop orientation and project guidelines provided by Exhibit Fabrication Team. Willing to teach skills listed above to anyone passionate about the Maryland Science Center!

Schedule:

Opportunities to volunteer usually occur between the hours of 9am and 5pm Wednesday – Sunday.

Minimum Commitment:

At least one 4-hour shift per week, for a minimum of three months. A willingness to volunteer for additional hours is always welcome!

Duties Prep materials for activities counting, cutting, photocopying, laminating, measuring, bagging, and sorting Assist in correlating Scout badge requirements with existing exhibit content Inventory materials, and re-stock as needed Required Skills Organized, attentive, and detail oriented Ability to work without direct supervision Ability to communicate effectively Basic computer skills Physical Requirements Ability to lift at least 10 pounds with some bending and kneeling Training Provided by Camp-In Supervisor Schedule

4-hour shifts are available Wednesday-Friday.Minimum CommitmentAt least one 4-hour shift per week, for a minimum of six months. A willingness to volunteer for additional hours is always welcome!

Interested?

Duties: Greet guests as they check-in and arrive Facilitate and explain the activity Inform guests about Maryland Science Center rules, exhibits, activities, etc. Required Skills: Excellent communication and customer service skills; at ease with people Friendly and conversant with guests and able to handle various size groups Previous teaching or stage experience a plus, but not required Training:

Training for your assigned activity will be provided by the Marketing Assistant. You will always be trained before speaking to guests.

Schedule:

Adult (21+) events take place on Friday nights once a month, year round. Shifts are typically available from 6:30-10:30pm.

Minimum Commitment:

One 4-hour shift per month, for a minimum of three months. A willingness to volunteer for additional hours is always welcome!