Overview:

The Manager of STEM Programs is responsible for the vision, planning, and implementation of a roster of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educational programs, workshops, and experiences that support high-quality learning opportunities for children and families visiting Please Touch Museum. Included in this roster is oversight of the Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace and STEM-based learning experiences within the Museum’s exhibits. Please Touch Museum’s STEM and early-childhood educational programs are grounded in an inquiry-based, child-centered, investigation driven, and exploratory educational model that focuses on the process over the product and utilizes play-based learning principles.

Museum Learning staff creates and facilitates programs, coordinates events, and guides experiences that encourage families to discover, imagine, get curious, and learn through play. Our work contributes to unparalleled experiences for every visitor. Through our interactions with visitors, we embrace diversity and encourage our visitors to think differently and open their minds to the world around them. Museum Learning is committed to excellence in developing programs, events, and experiences to further Please Touch Museum as a leader in childhood learning and development. The Museum Learning department creates programming for routine daily visitors, special events, and school groups.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, museum studies, STEM, youth development, or related field required.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience teaching children and their families aged 0-8 in an informal and/or formal setting; museum education experience strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of early childhood education, play-based learning principles, and STEM and science-based education commonly used in preschool and elementary education programs.

• Detail-oriented manager who can also keep an eye towards the big picture & considers the whole experience in their planning.

• Collaborative individual who is willing to work with others, try new ideas and approaches.

• Must be able to interact with all museum visitors and colleagues politely and effectively and show a willingness to problem solve in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a professional attitude.

• Motivated, reflective, self-starter who proactively and frequently communicates with colleagues and supervisors about exhibit engagement and facilitation experience.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

• Passionate about developing and facilitating transformative and innovative Museum experiences.

• Energetic, enthusiastic individual with demonstrated commitment to Museum Mission.

• Must prioritize cultural competency and promote a culture of inclusion, belonging, and accessibility when planning programming and interacting with museum visitors and colleagues and show an openness to learning about communities different than your own.

• Decisive, driven self-starter who values and identifies the talents, skills and interests of their colleagues and staff.

• Ability to carry out customer service tasks with a positive and approachable demeanor.

• Ability to embrace and demonstrate the Museum’s Mission, Values, and DEIBA Commitment.

• Must have PA Act 153 clearances (PA criminal history, FBI fingerprints, and PA Child Abuse) completed prior to hire.

• All employees are required to have COVID-19 vaccination, and flu vaccination, as a term and condition of employment.

Job Responsibilities:

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages a team of Museum Learning staff.

• Collaborates with Director, Museum Learning and department Managers on managing daily operations of the Museum Learning department.

• Together with Director, Museum Learning and department Managers participates in hiring, discipline, termination, training, and performance evaluations for Museum Learning staff.

• Holds Manager on Duty responsibilities, including but not limited to completing relevant incident reports, adapting staff schedule changes and updates, addressing visitor concerns, completion of daily operations reports, and implementing necessary safety procedures.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the development and implementation of play-based learning family programs, field trip programs, and event content with topics and themes based in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

• Supervises programming, staff, and materials in the Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace.

• Ensures Museum programs, studios, exhibits, and experiences are staffed appropriately by creating monthly department shift schedule and adapting as needed throughout the month.

• Supports efforts to create program spaces conducive to play. Observes the play environment and thoughtfully considers what modifications, if any, are necessary to allow the child and family to play.

• Serves as project manager for museum events related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other topics as needed.

• Works closely with Senior Director, Community Programs & Inclusion to meet strategic plan goals of fostering inclusion for our visitors through programs and experiences.

• Collaborates with Museum Learning, Development, Exhibits and Marcomm on exhibit engagement, content development, and the full museum experience.

• Works closely with Senior Director, Research & Impact to evaluate programming and experiences.

• Develops and facilitates programs for children, families, and schools.

• Seeks opportunities to engage new audiences via exhibit and programmatic content, including but not limited to scout groups, camps, and adult groups.

• Seeks professional development opportunities for their staff; empowers staff to explore new ideas, experiment, and find pride in their work.

• Creates specialized programming for events in the Museum’s strategic plan, including but not limited to cultural celebrations, museum events, and selected holidays.

• Contributes to the facilitation of all departmental initiatives (programs, workshops, events, experiences, and spaces) across all learning disciplines offered.

• Actively maintains an interest in and contributes to professional learning conversations on current practices, topics, and discussions in Early Childhood, Museum Education, and STEM education, in addition to content that is relevant to Please Touch Museum.

• Ensures Museum Learning programs, events, and experiences are inclusive and accessible.

• Oversees training, developing, and updating facilitation and program development standard operating procedures in partnership with department colleagues.

• Coordinates and maintains partnerships with organizations, schools, performers, and institutions.

• Assists with the development of print resources, including marketing materials, curriculum, self-guided resources, and lesson plans.

• Other duties as assigned.