Teachers' Time Out is a series designed for teachers to engage with nature in a relaxed atmosphere. This opportunity highlights Next Time You See the Moon with local author Emily Morgan. Volunteers will model for teachers how to interpret the moon for students and use the telescope to enable teachers to discover cool features. Experience working with teachers and school children is helpful. Volunteers will support this hands-on professional development workshop specifically designed for educators. Volunteers will assist with the setup and teardown of the venue, assist our staff with the refreshment setup, and participate in the discussions.
Impact
Volunteers help us achieve much more by assisting with simple activities, enabling demonstrators to take breaks, engaging with participants about the activities, and ensuring tasks are completed.
Tasks
- Assist with the setup and teardown of the program.
- Assist with the setup of the telescope and the viewing station.
- Assist with the food and drink buffet.
- Welcome and greet participants to the park.
- Assist the staff lead in training additional volunteers for astronomy activities available at the program.
- Oversee staged equipment and assist participants in using the telescope.
- Assist participants in discovering areas of interest in the sky.
- Assist in engaging participants in the astronomy activities.
- Distribute materials as needed.
- Assist with simple but essential tasks to support the various activities.
- May assist with documenting the event through photos.
- Encourage volunteerism and help direct to the website for information.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up, who have qualified as an Astronomy Assistant.
- GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 18 and up, an eligible background check), plus Astronomy Assistant Interest and Assessment and interview. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing the required qualifications or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
- Volunteers must complete the Astronomy Assistant Interest and Assessment and Interview to qualify for this opportunity.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Volunteers are scheduled to arrive an hour before the start of the program. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information.
- Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please get in touch with your Staff Lead at the provided number.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place indoors and outdoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more. Volunteers may be standing or walking for the majority of their shift. This opportunity will also include a hike that is at a learning pace.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear their MetroParks name badge and apparel.
Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.
Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to 
stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:
