Chicago Botanic Garden

At The Garden — Employment

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Instructor, Science First Program

Requisition Number 127 A and B

PURPOSE: To deliver a hands-on summer science-enrichment program for Chicago Public School students in grades 8 to 10. The instructor will design and deliver an informal science curriculum with emphasis on outdoor field investigations.

Science First is a summer science-enrichment program that strives to increase students’ knowledge and appreciation of the environment and how scientists study the environment. Students participate in a four-week session that takes place at the Chicago Botanic Garden Monday through Friday. A school bus provides transportation from designated stops starting as early as 7 a.m. to bring students to the Garden by 9 a.m. Students are provided with all materials they need to participate, as well as a free snack and lunch. Students leave the Garden at 3 p.m. each day.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Work with a co-instructor to teach a curriculum emphasizing environmental science and inquiry process, appropriate for middle school level. There are two four-week sessions with different students in each session.

  2. Lead daily outdoor science investigations that utilize the display gardens and natural areas on-site at the Garden.

  3. Guide student independent research investigations, which they will present to the public at the end of the session.

  4. Assist with other program activities as necessary.

DEPARTMENT: Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

REPORTS TO: Manager of Secondary Education

SUPERVISES: Students in the Science First program

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Be available to work/teach for 35 hours/week from July 15 through August 9, 2013. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three years of combined experience teaching science in either formal and/or informal education settings to high-school- or middle-school-aged students, the ability to conduct outdoor field and conservation science activities, and familiarity with computer technology.