Tinkering Facilitator

Scott Family Amazeum Overview

The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum in Northwest Arkansas that creates a fun environment where risk taking, imagining, problem solving, discovery, collaboration, and exploration bring children and adults together to learn and grow.

The mission of the Amazeum, is:

To engage the imagination of children and their families through interactive exhibits, programs, and resources while creating an excitement for lifelong learning and the enrichment of lives.

Through experiences with the Amazeum individuals and the community are engaged in building relationships and developing identities as creative, curious, and innovative shapers for the region. Learning at the Amazeum is an active, playful exploration that inspires curiosity. It is rooted in inquiry-based discovery and involves an element of risk. Hands-on learning opportunities allow guests to exercise critical thinking in the context of play.

The Amazeum facility includes approximately 50,000 square feet of indoor space and one acre of outdoor exhibition and activity space. The museum is located at the intersection of Museum Way and J Street in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Position Summary

The Tinkering Facilitator is a collaborative professional with a passion and commitment to the tinkering process and enthusiasm for the potential impact tinkering and making can have on learners. Tinkering involves the exploration of science, technology, and art through the playful and intentional manipulation of real tools and materials, and emphasizes the creative process. The Tinkering Facilitator enjoys working with their hands and mind to activate the Tinkering Hub, a space dedicated to the process of creating and exploring ideas. Tinkering Facilitator works with a team to develop and facilitate activities and experiences for the Tinkering Hub, throughout the museum, and off-site at community partner organizations.

Essential Functions

• Implements and facilitates playful, engaging, and innovative tinkering experiences for guests with a variety of learning styles, ages, and diverse backgrounds
• Guide Amazeum guests through various stages of the tinkering and making progress while fostering a maker mindset
• Collaborates with tinkering team members to prototype and develop self-directed and facilitated activities
• Quickly adapts tinkering experiences and facilitation techniques to changing audience needs
• Assists with acquiring, organizing, and preparing materials, make sure the tinkering space is stocked and ready for all operating hours
• In collaboration with the Tinkering Position (title TBD), develops and implements a programming schedule that creates a vibrant and active learning environment
• Enhances guest experience, responds positively to guest questions regarding exhibits, daily activities and museum information
• Assists with active evaluation of experiences and makes ongoing improvements to programming and facilitation techniques
• Collaboratively provides support cross-departmentally to develop and facilitate innovative, engaging tinkering experiences for special events, public programs, camps/workshops, etc. occurring onsite and offsite.
• Stays current on trends in making and tinkering in addition to continually developing familiarity with new maker skills and tools
• Ensures guest safety and maintains a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment at all times

General Duties

The responsibilities listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The Amazeum, reserves the right to revise or change position duties and responsibilities as necessary to accommodate changing organizational needs.

Qualifications

Education and Work Experience

• High school diploma or GED; required
• Working towards BS/BA/AA in Education, Communication, Science, Art, Museum Studies, or related field; preferred
• Experience working with children; 1 year required, within informal education setting preferred
• Understanding of STEAM disciplines, inquiry-based facilitation, and tinkering facilitation and pedagogy
• Minimum age of 18 years at time of hire

Competencies

• Strong teaching and facilitation skills adaptable to developmental levels and different learning styles
• Excitement and interest in learning a variety of tinkering techniques, including, but not limited to, electronics, CNC tools, illustration, sculpting, woodworking, textiles, and coding
• Strong organizational skills, high degree of initiative, able to problem solve effectively under pressure
• Demonstrated success in guest engagement and customer service
• Strong verbal communication skills with emphasis on interacting with diverse audiences in an engaging and compelling fashion
• Bilingual ability is desired, but not required

Physical

• Valid drivers license,, and reliable personal transportation required
• Able to stand, walk, and interact with children and adults for extended periods of time
• Able to lift up to 20 lbs overhead regularly and occasionally 40 lbs
• Candidates may be required to pass a criminal background screening
• Work is performed in an environment with moderate to excessive noise