And a special play area for children allows them to explore bat sonar, the world of moles, and giant ants to learn how animals navigate in dark places. Volunteers will serve as informal guides to the different environments of this exhibit, helping visitors with questions about the exhibit and helping them with its interactive elements-especially in the children's play area. The minimum age for volunteers is 14. During the course of the year the Education Department organizes special activities for children and families on weekends. These are sometimes tied into our changing exhibits and have included an Amazonia Food Fest, construction of beautiful butterflies, fossil wrapping, and face painting.
Volunteers serve as assistants to staff who have responsibility for the activity table or area.
This involves helping children with a craft or other activity, keeping an activity area in order and stocked with necessary supplies, and some informal education to help visitors learn from the activity. Additionally a volunteer might help manage the flow of visitor traffic if the activity area becomes exceptionally busy. You will also help visitors with basic questions about the museum such as the location of specific exhibits, public phones, rest rooms, and handicapped access, etc. Interns commit to at least 16 hours per week over a 3 to 4 month period, first gaining an overview of the wide range of activities in the department and then focusing on a specific area and project. Many of our programs use live animals, so a love for animals is key to this unique experience.