Are you enthusiastic about the natural science world?

You don’t need a science degree; we teach you how to interpret our exhibits and inspire visitors in the Docent program. You have a choice of four specialty trainings including the aquarium, evolution, climate change, and the rainforest. You also have an opportunity to staff the tidepool, use hands-on specimens, and work with live animals, all the while demonstrating some of nature’s most surprising secrets. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow docents in this dynamic and engaging program.

Classes for the 4 week training are held on evenings and weekends. Once the training is completed the commitment is 3 shifts a month, including an evening enrichment. Shifts are available throughout the week and on weekends.

Download description of current offering here.

 Docent, Water is Life Program [28k]
 Docent, As the World Evolves Program [28k]
 Docent, It’s Easy Being Green Program [28k]
 Docent, Let’s Get Physical Program [28k]

Join the Academy’s hospitality team. Greet, meet, and guide Academy visitors as “roving concierges.” Orienteers help visitors make the best use of their time by providing impromptu itineraries and helpful suggestions. A short training is offered every month. The commitment is 2-two hour shifts a month. Experienced Orienteers also have an opportunity to join the Information Desk volunteer crew.

Budding marine biologists and hobbyists alike are welcomed by the aquarium staff. Over 38,000 animals make their home at the Academy. Become an aquarium volunteer and learn how to take care of a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial animals, test water quality, check on animal health, or show off your horticultural skills. “Dive in” if you’re an experienced certified rescue diver and have at least 50 logged dives. You’ll interact with exotic and unusual creatures while feeding the fish and keeping the tanks sparkling clean. Divers may also be trained to deliver dive presentations in the Philippine Coral Reef.

Learn specialized curatorial and archival skills working with the collection managers, as they prepare and maintain scientific collections in some of our research departments. Mount plants, classify bones, shells and rocks and rebottle specimens. Help inventory and document the collections, or join our monthly “botany bee” and make specimen envelopes for the curatorial staff.

Most research placements require a 3-4 hour weekly commitment and are only available weekdays.

Learn to teach informal science education and help evaluate our programs. This training program is designed to provide an in-depth, hands-on experience for people interested in pursuing a career in informal education. People participating in the program will work alongside the Academy’s Education Staff to learn about the different facets of school programs in a museum.

These short-term, in-depth placements require ~ 10 hours per week from September - December and/or January - May. They are only available on weekdays.

There are currently two options to choose from, which relate to our programs and resources:

 School Programs [265k]
 Program Evaluation [262k]

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