About Galaxy Explorers

Galaxy Explorers has five main components

Museum Explainer Component

The primary purpose for the Galaxy Explorers is to provide exciting public science education to enhance the visitor experience at the science center or through outreach. This part of the program is required regardless of rank or level in the program. A variety of methods can be used to meet the monthly or requirements. For regular volunteers the minimum requirement is 4 hours per month. The intern requirement is greater.

Community Benefit & Enrichment Component

Galaxy Explorers conduct science education for younger children, peers, and families at schools, libraries, fairs, festivals, and community centers after school and weekday evenings. The Galaxy Explorers also sponsor a fee-based traveling science fair known as Chabot-to-Go where advanced Galaxy Explorers perform hands-on science stations and educational crafts. This program also includes the inflatable Starlab portable planetarium. Teens interested in public speaking can complete our training program and perform their own travelling planetarium shows. Outreach is a required component for interns.

Youth Leadership Development Component

Monthly workshops geared toward skill-building, leadership development, and college planning take place at Chabot year around. Workshops are held every 1st Saturday from 10am - 1pm. Topics covered in the workshops include: public speaking, diversity training, job interviewing, career planning, resume development, personal budgeting, time management, and more. These sessions are required for interns although volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend. All program updates and new opportunities are presented during these workshops.

Special Interest Teams Component

A number of special interest clubs have been developed for those Explorers who would like to participate beyond the minimum hourly requirement. Participation in these teams is not required. Membership lasts only one school semester at a time and most teams do not meet during the summer months. Examples of teams are Astronomy, News & Media, Enviro Team, and Community Outreach. Upon joining a team, regular attendance is required.

Goals & Objectives: The Galaxy Explorers Program will...

• Build skills and capacity in investigating, understanding, and using scientific practices and principles, particularly in technology, astronomy, earth science, and environmental studies
• Train youth as leaders by having them participate in program planning, implementation, and evaluation, and by developing skills such as public-speaking, mentoring younger children, and acquiring science processing skills
• Provide paid internships for high school youth, offering them meaningful work experiences
• Provide a safe haven for youth to express themselves without fear of failure
• Create long-term ties between youth, families, community partners, and Science Center staff and volunteers
• Have students learn the importance of giving back to the community by providing the opportunity to conduct science activities for young children, give public presentations, and perform other outreach opportunities in their own neighborhoods
• Involve participants' families in science activities at Chabot
• Broaden participants' views of science and scientists, enabling them to consider science as a possibility for a college major or as a career choice
• Prepare participants educationally, technically, and socially for the workforce
• Involve community-based organizations in recruitment and retention of youth, in program design and management, and in activities and evaluation

Galaxy Explorers Application

Visit our application page here!

You may reach the Galaxy Explorer office at (510) 336-7329 or (510) 336-7351
Tuesdays - Saturdays, or via email at GalaxyExplorers@ChabotSpace.org

The Galaxy Explorer program was initiated by a grant from YouthALIVE! (Youth Achievement through Learning Involvement, Volunteer and Employment!) through the Association of Science-Technology Centers.

Acknowledgements

The Galaxy Explorer program is made possible by the generous support of:

• The Stephen Bechtel Foundation
• The Chevron Foundation
• The Koret Foundation
• The Severns Family Foundation
• The Symantec Foundation
• The David B. Gold Foundation