Vancouver Aquarium Work Experience Placements
December 2011
RE: School Programs Work Experience Placement: “Aquatic Adventures”
Preschool Program
We are looking for 5 highly motivated, energetic students to fill the above School Programs Work Experience Placement. This placement will provide an excellent opportunity for students to gain teaching experience, communication skills, develop a sense of teamwork and explore career options. Applicants will be accepted based on a student's work experience objectives and personal interests, as indicated in a cover letter and resume, as well as the needs of the School Programs Department.
Title: Marine Educator Assistant
Term of Position: · Mandatory Training: Monday January 16th, 2012 from 9am to 3pm · Participate in one full shift per week: Mondays : January 23, 2012- April 30, 2012 (excluding statutory holidays) Note: If students would like to gain more work experience hours, there will be an option of extending their placement past June 11, 2012 based on a review of their performance throughout the period of initial placement terms. |
Direct Supervisor: Dana Turner, Coordinator
Description of Work Experience Opportunity:
Assist School Program Coordinator with the delivery of the “Aquatic Adventures” preschool program. This program is designed for preschool aged students (3+) and involves introducing them to marine life and conservation from the safety of the classroom through a variety of hands-on activities including storytelling, games, and a meet and greet with live animals.
The program begins with a puppet show put on by volunteers. In the show, the main character, Otto, a sea otter, finds that the environment he and his friends call home has become polluted and inhabitable. As they set off to find a new home, Otto asks the students to help him find a "suitable" new home exploring the following four themes:
Protection (animal adaptations for survival)
Friends (animals found in the Kelp Forest habitat)
Food (what, how, and how much animals in the ocean like sea otters eat), and
Neighbourhood (the role of marine habitats/ecoystems like the Kelp Forest and the importance of and how to protect them)
As an assistant educator with this program, your main role will involve leading a small group of students through their journey of four stations of planned lessons/activities relating to the above themes. You will also be involved in set-up and clean-up of program materials.
Skills Preferred:
· Experience educating or interacting with children; · Outgoing, creative, enthusiastic and self-motivated; · Students in grade 10, 11 and 12; · Interested in marine biology; · High level of professionalism and commitment; · Strong oral English language communication skills. |
Work Experience Benefits:
· Completion of Grad Transition hours; · Access to Aquarium site resources; · Priority placement in the Aquarium’s Volunteer Training program; · Opportunities to gain experience in public education. |
This position helps the Vancouver Aquarium achieve its mission by promoting conservation through education.
The deadline to submit applications is 5pm Thursday January 5th.
Submit resume and cover letter to Ms Giraud ASAP
pgiraud@nvsd44.bc.ca
