STEM Education and Outreach Coordinator (DRI)

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STEM Education and Engagement Coordinator

Member Supervisors :

Leah Madison

GreenBox Coordinator

Leah.madison@dri.edu

775-673-7413

Heidi Anderson, AmeriCorps Program Director

Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation

heidi@tmparksfoundation.org

775-453-0278

Member Position Summary:

The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Education and Engagement Coordinator will work with Science Alive’s educational programs to expand the reach and access for rural and Title one schools in Northern Nevada. The main programs that the STEM Education Engagement Member will be working on are the Green Box program and two new pilot programs; mini Green Boxes and STEM Kits. These programs are curriculum support component of Science Alive non-profit education program designed for informal and formal education settings. Another large component of this position will be engaging with our rural and Title One schools in Northern Nevada. This will be done through a number of ways including; visiting classrooms and schools and doing hands-on lessons from our STEM Kits, hosting a table at a school STEM night, or engaging the public by tabling at a community event. Experience in public speaking, engagement activities and a background in education is preferred. Some travel will be required and all travel costs will be paid for.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify and compile hands-on STEM activities for an informal setting
• Work on new program pilot, Mini-Green Boxes
• Launch "Plug 'n’ Play" program for the Green Box program
• Expand current social media efforts
• Expand reach and enrollment in Green Box program
• Attend and table at community and school events
• Act as public speaker at school events
• Host engagement activities at school functions

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Work with Science Alive staff to create, maintain, and pilot kits
• Expand reach with pilot Citizen Science project, Stories in the Snow
• Identify and build relationships
• Promote and maintain positive professional relationships with partners
• Perform administrative duties including inventory maintenance

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A passion for working with children and helping them grow
• Experience or background in education, preferably in STEM or environmental education
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• A keen eye for detail
• Ability to multitask
• Motivation, a strong work ethic, and team oriented
• Dedication to seeing tasks to completion, and efficiency in completing tasks
• Creativity and a love for learning

• A professional attitude

Required Academic and Experience Qualifications:

• A degree in education, communication or related degree
• Experience communicating to a variety of audiences
• Experience managing logistics of outreach
• Experience in community or curriculum engagement and design
• Ability to serve as in-classroom presenter
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Suite and basic office software

Host Site Agency Mission:

We serve schools in every county across the state of Nevada by providing teachers with free professional development or access to our Green Box program. Since inception, we have worked with over 500 schools. Currently, 75% of the schools we serve are Title One schools, which are schools that receive federal assistance to close the achievement gap between low-income students and other students. Over 50% of the students we reach are on a federal assisted free and reduced lunch program because of their low-income status, and almost 20% are second language English learners.

Program Mission:

Science Alive conducts education and engagement for the Desert Research Institute, a global scientific research and development institute under the Nevada System of Higher Education. The mission of Science Alive is to support PreK-12 educators in science-based, environmental education by providing the tools, resources, and knowledge they need, so all students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to work, live and contribute in our community. Science Alive achieves our mission by providing inquiry-based STEM curriculum through our Green Boxes, offering Teacher Trainings and Workshops throughout the school year, and through School Support in the form of speakers, field trips, and special opportunities.

Additional Guidelines or Expectations:

AmeriCorps members are required to wear at least one piece of AmeriCorps gear (AmeriCorps button), provided by the Parks Foundation, every day during their term of service. AmeriCorps members must participate in a minimum of three National Days of Service during their term of service and may participate in additional service projects.

Member Benefits:

AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance of $13,732, a $5,920 education award upon successful completion of service, healthcare, childcare coverage (for eligible members), and professional development opportunities throughout their term of service. If the member qualifies, they will also receive student loan forbearance and interest payments.

Evaluation and Reporting:

Members will receive a mid-year and end-of-term performance evaluation from their site-supervisor and the AmeriCorps Program Director. Members will submit their biweekly Member Service Logs (timesheets) to their supervisor to be approved. Members are also responsible for reporting performance measures to their site supervisor and AmeriCorps Program Director every month during their term of service.