Presentation from Young (science) apprentice at the 2013 Science Communication Conference organised by the British Science Association - slides by Anthony Richards

1. Opening doors at the
Science Museum
Anthony Richards, Science Museum Learning

2. Background
• Learning Operations at Science
Museum
• 3 millions visitors, most visited place for
schoolchildren
• 400 staff, varied and diverse in some
areas
• Explainer team within Learning
• Interactions, performance, visitor
interactive galleries
• Desire to broaden access, use
management skills better represent
audience

3. Process
• Apprenticeship in Cultural Venue
Operations
• Partnership with V and A, Kensington
and Chelsea College
• One year, level 2 NVQ
• Work as a Learning apprentice along
side our Explainers, preparing and
making ready venue
• 120 applicants
• 15 interviews
• 5 taken

4. What happened ?
• Who did we choose?
• How many survived?
• How did we manage
them?

5. What did we learn ?
• Fitting into the workplace
• Being treated like other staff
• Understanding their background
and difficulties
• Providing structure and ‘family’

6. Some of issues
• Pregnancies
• Prison
• Violence
• Language
• Conflict
• AWOL
• Reliability
• Emotional control
• Family pressures
• Gangs
• Threats
• Fraud

7. Successes
• Hosted facilitation sessions
• Three qualifications
• Transition into job
• Confidence and maturity
• Understanding from our side
• Image of the museum for them

8. Next time
• Balance in the team
• Support for them outside work
• Transition at beginning
• Mentor and coach
• Better collaboration with partners

9. Memories
• Their interest in science and
museums
• Removing of the headphones
• Honesty and gratitude
• Energy and vitality

10. Memories
• Their interest in science and
museums
• Removing of the headphones
• Honesty and gratitude
• Energy and vitality