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The Science Career Ladder (SCL) at the New York Hall of Science
is an innovative education, employment, and mentoring program
that hires high school and college students. The program employs
150 students as Explainers who are trained to provide the
following skills:
• Exhibition interpretation
• Science demonstrations
• Orientation
• Workshop support
• Visitor interaction (over 400,000 annually)
The ladder is a progression of knowledge and responsibility,
with the ultimate goal of producing employed, trained, and
mentored Explainer floor staff. The success of this approach
is well-known to Preeti Gupta, the Hall’s current vice
president of education; she began her career in 1989 as an
Explainer, ultimately climbing the ladder to the top rung.
The program’s impact is impressive. A 2002 study conducted
by the Institute for Learning Innovation found that alumni
of the program reported that they developed self confidence,
communication and teaching skills during a critical phase
in their lives, were more willing than average college graduates
to consider careers in teaching, and acquired an appreciation
for science and a personal connection to science and learning
as part of their everyday lives.
High school students are recruited as Explainer Interns,
who help children and adults create science-related arts and
crafts and assist with weekend programs and temporary exhibitions.
These students move up the ladder through a thoughtfully designed
process of mentoring, training and support to become Explainers
and together with college-level students become paid staff
that work up to 20 hours per week. As Explainers, students
are continually provided opportunities to grow their workforce,
leadership, science communication and public speaking skills;
these are assessed at regular intervals to help the students
develop and refine their competencies over time. It is in
this visible role where Explainers ensure an enjoyable and
meaningful experience for visitors. And it hasn’t gone
unnoticed. In studies conducted at the Hall, visitors have
consistently placed interaction with Explainers at the top
of their list of factors that make their experiences enjoyable.
Explainers work directly with audiences, engaging the public
through inquiry-based exploration activities. Through their
hands-on, science-focused interactions with the public, the
Explainers develop the kinds of interpersonal, empathy, and
communication skills necessary to bridge generational, cultural,
and religious gaps among audiences. These skills, developed
and refined in applied settings, enhance the students’
prospects for continued academic and workforce success long
after they leave the Hall. Since 1986, the program has inspired
over 1,700 students to pursue professional careers, many in
science and education.
The Science Career Ladder illustrates how the New York Hall
of Science works to continually improve its internal and external
operations to facilitate scientific knowledge, skills, and
aptitudes for its visitors, staff, and future community leaders.
“The success of our work requires clarity and coherence
in how we engage the public and enhance learning, as well
as in the work we do to grow and nurture our own staff. The
Science Career Ladder exemplifies these values,” notes
Margaret Honey, President & CEO of New York Hall of Science.
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