Teacher/Naturalist Assistant

Submitted by Lyana Guevara on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 11:16am

LOCATION

3131 South Central Ave. (Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center )
Phoenix, AZ 85040
See map: Google Maps

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Fingerprint/background clearance is required.

All potential interns must be able to pass a background check. No fingerprinting required. No cost to intern. Service hours may be started while background check is processed.

SCHEDULE OPTIONS

Semester availability

Fall
Spring

Service hours

Morning
Afternoon
Weekend

Available days/hours

Choose one or more of the following shift options:
Tues/Thurs 9-11:30
Wed/Friday 9-11:30
Tues/Thurs 4-6:30
Tues/Thurs 4-6:30
Saturday 9-2pm

REQUIRED/DESIRED SKILLS

Interns must:

  • enjoy working with children in outdoor settings (training in field methods provided)
  • be able to work independently and solve problems creatively
  • Spanish fluency is a plus, but not required
  • General knowledge of Sonoran Desert natural history preferred, but not required

CATEGORIES

Animals
Education
Environment/Nature/Sustainability
Youth (direct interaction)
Youth II: 5-11 years (K-6th grades)
Youth III: 11-14 years (6th-9th grades)
Youth IV: 14-18 years (high school)

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Audubon Arizona

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

Duties

Audubon Arizona seeks motivated, energetic assistants to help with environmental education programs.  Audubon Arizona’s environmental education experiences serve primarily inner-city children aged 8-17 and focus on the Salt River ecosystem. Study topics include Rio Salado birds, water quality and native animals. Education Assistants will help with preparations for the programs and will , along with staff naturalists,  deliver lessons.

Details: 

The Education Program Assistants will, after training, be able to enthusiastically and knowledgably teach students about the natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Audubon Arizona will provide one training session (2-3 hours) prior to the program. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in teaching science in a non-traditional setting and to diverse audiences.

 

Final Project: 

Motivated assistants are encouraged to develop a craft or activity to be incorporated into the Field Trip program.

Population served

Our field trips work with the South Phoenix elementary and high school communities; these are largely economically disadvantaged communities.

Community need/impact

Audubon Arizona and the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center offers a unique chance for Phoenix youth to connect to the amazingly diverse Sonoran Desert.

Connecting kids to their natural surrounding promotes a feeling of stewardship that will stay with them through adulthood.