maker programs educator

The mission of the Children's Museum Houston is to transform communities through innovative, child-centered learning that improves the trajectories of all children in Greater Houston.

For more than four decades, Children's Museum Houston has supported student achievement, empowered parents, and ignited a life-long love of learning. We are consistently rated as one of the top children's museums in the nation. Our programming serves more than 900,000 participants annually at the Museum, at the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center, and at the 270+ outreach locations across Greater Houston. We welcome families with offerings that include 13 exhibits, a performing arts series, a full slate of cultural programming, science activities led by degreed educators, and weekly Free Family Nights. 

Job Summary

The Maker Educator will engage children and families in creative projects that develop problem solving skills and spark interest in science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. The Maker Programs Educator utilizes technical skills daily to operate and teach the use of various maker tools and technologies, ensuring participants gain hands-on experience. This educator will work throughout several museum galleries, engaging visitors through interaction within the galleries, facilitating themed workshops and activities, STEM demonstrations, and school field experiences. This facilitation includes ensuring that the Museum's policies are upheld, that the exhibits are reset as needed for visitor interactions, that visitors are safe and receive rapid first aid assistance if needed, and that visitors enjoy their overall experience at the Museum.   Special emphasis on learning for early childhood visitors. Excellent interpersonal, planning, communication, and organizational skills needed. Bachelor's degree required, STEM minor or equivalent coursework preferred. A minimum of 2 years' teaching experience required. Tuesday – Saturday, up to 29 hours a week with evening and weekend hours as necessary. Flexibility of work hours and days required.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate workshops in the Chevron Maker Annex and Maker Lab using tools and technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics, woodworking, and crafting materials
• Lead and facilitate virtual workshops through Children's Museum Houston's MyProjects.
• Facilitate visitors' learning by describing, modeling, and prompting engagement with Museum exhibits
• Facilitate a variety of maker programs, workshops, and events tailored to different age groups and skill levels.
• Facilitate activities in other spaces within the Museum, such as Science Station.
• Serve as the teaching guide for visiting classrooms, leading students through the curriculum focus set for each exhibit for each age/grade.
• Facilitate interactive making explorations for youth and families.
• Stay current with emerging maker trends, tools, and educational methodologies to continuously enhance program quality.
• Perform necessary maintenance, setup, and tear down for each program
• Throughout each day, re-stock supplies, when necessary, reboot exhibits that are not functioning properly, and call-in assistance as needed.
• Represent the Children's Museum Houston in a positive manner via attitude, communications, and enthusiasm.
• Assist in programming evaluation efforts.
• Support field tours as assigned.
• Cover Welcome Center or other areas as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

The following are Essential Functions of the job & may not be altered without changing the basic purpose and objectives of the position:

• Interact with staff and visitors.
• Maintain and prepare supplies necessary for programming.
• Working in an environment that may be noisy and/or crowded.

Required Skills

• Experience with 3D Printing, laser cutting, and coding is required
• Experience with some of the following is highly preferred: CAD (TinkerCAD), woodworking, sewing, circuitry/soldering, robotics, engineering, crafts, hands-on STEAM learning
• Comfortable presenting to children and families in both in-person and virtual settings
• Bilingual preferred
• Facilitate interactive making explorations for youth and families. 
• Represent the Maker Education Initiative and the Children's Museum of Houston in a positive manner via attitude, communications, and enthusiasm.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• The ability to interact effectively with children, adults, and host organization staff.
• A level of comfort presenting in front of audiences of children and families.
• A passion for educating the public