Education volunteers present a variety of programs to over 6,000 elementary and secondary students. Programs vary in length from one to two hours and are presented by either one or two volunteers. Programs are highly interactive: volunteers engage students with questions and lead discussions while touring museum displays, help students with program activities, and supervise the handling of specified museum objects. Prior to the arrival of the students to the museum, volunteers prepare and set up the space and materials for the programs. When students arrive, they are welcomed, instructed on appropriate behaviour and rules, led on short tours of the galleries, and then engage in hands-on activities with the museum teaching materials.

School programs are delivered Tuesdays to Fridays from September to mid-December and January to early June. While there are no school programs in July and August, additional volunteer opportunities are available to Education volunteers who wish to volunteer in the summer months.

Education volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The ideal volunteer should:

• Be enthusiastic, energetic and enjoys working with children and teens
• Be patient, flexible, and willing to work with children and teens of varying ability levels
• Be able to volunteer during regular school hours
• Have strong interest in First Nations/Indigenous culture and issues both historical and contemporary
• Have an interest in museums
• Be able to commit to several hours per week during training
• Be able to commit to two to three hours one day a week following training

Training

All volunteers are required to attend all three sessions of MOA 101: Introductory Training Seminar. Dates are announced during the active recruitment period.

Training continues with experienced Education Committee volunteers and staff following MOA 101. The training schedule during the first year is extensive. Education volunteers learn two programs designed for Grades 3 to 5/6. Training for the first program takes place from October to December and the second program from February to April. New volunteers will complete this training and be available to present both tours by the end of the first year.

Commitment 

• 2–3 years on the Education Committee
• 3 hours/week from September to June
• Attendance at General Meetings for all volunteers which take place six times a year on Monday afternoons in September, November, January, March, April and May
• Attendance at Education Committee meetings take place six times a year on Mondays before the General Meetings