INTERNSHIP – KINDERGARTEN CONFERENCE ASSISTANT COORDINATOR

ST. LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER

FALL 2003

SUMMARY: The St. Louis Science Center (SLSC), in partnership with the Magic House (Kirkwood, Mo), is hosting a conference on October 3 and 4, 2003 for approximately 120 kindergarten teachers. The focus of this conference is to share information and experience about informal education environments for young learners. As is the case in planning and hosting any conference, there are many details and logistics to manage prior to, during, and after the conference. This intern will work closely with both the Conference Coordinator and the Early Childhood staff at the SLSC as well as with staff from the Magic House when handling the various tasks. It is essential that the intern who is selected will be able to work on the days prior to the conference, and especially on the dates of the conference itself…October 3 and 4, 2003.

THIS INTERNSHIP IS PART-TIME, UNPAID, REQUIRING AN INTERN TO WORK APPROXIMATELY 15 HOURS PER WEEK FROM LATE AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER UNTIL EARLY DECEMBER 2003. A STUDENT COULD PARTICIPATE IN THIS INTERNSHIP FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT, DEPENDING ON COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENTAL, AND FACULTY REQUIREMENTS.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Attend the planning meetings (especially the late afternoon meeting on 2 September 2003 and perhaps one or two meetings between then and the October Conference.

· Organize materials for the conference

· Facilitate contact with vendors prior to and during the conference

· Assist with the professional implementation of the conference

· Organize the registration table

· Collaborate with SLSC staff to organize and to present on site “table top” demonstrations at the conference

· Collect and analyze conference evaluations

· Assist with scheduling, follow-up with vendors

· Help to prepare “Thank You” notes

Post-conference tasks, evaluation, etc, will require attention during October and related planning tasks will require efforts from October to early December 2003. This internship is a valuable opportunity for a student who is interested in learning what is involved and what is required to develop, plan, and host a conference.

QUALIFICATIONS: Possess good verbal communications skills, close attention to detail, extroverted, enthusiastic and customer service oriented, ability to comfortably interact with and respond effectively to diverse situations and individuals.

Prefer Junior or Senior level student. Although no particular academic major is required, the nature of this internship may appeal to students who are particularly interested in early childhood education, teaching, informal education, public relations and management, and event planning.

INTERESTED STUDENTS: PLEASE SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO TPOTTER@SLSC.ORG