Virtual Visits with the New York Hall of Science

From the people who brought you Fun With Bubbles and Mathematica: Beyond Numbers comes a new behind the scenes documentary. Get the rare opportunity to dive into the deep minds of the now infamous New York Hall Of Science Digital Learning Department.

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My name is Anthony Negron and I am the newest member of the Digital Learning Department at the New York Hall of Science. I have been an explainer prior to my promotion for 4 years and loved every second of it. I am really excited about helping our Virtual Visits Videoconferencing develop new programs and units in the near future while continuing our already great programs/units.

I am a recent graduate of Pace University and currently working on receiving my M.B.A. I am your typical everyday person and really enjoy being around people. All of my greatest moments as an explainer involve interacting with the youth and helping them learn new things in life. There is no greater feeling than looking in a visitors eyes and without any words spoken know that they just learned something new.

Teachers have one of the most important roles in a developing child’s life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers that have had such a positive impact on my life and, I leave you with this inspiring quote:

“A master can tell you what he expects of you. A teacher, though, awakens your own expectations.”-Patricia Neal.

Here is some pics from our newest Virtual Visit explainer Chris as he delivered his first program! Welcome aboard Chris.

Karisma:
I was born in Brooklyn and lived there ever since. I am 21 years old. My hobbies are reading, hanging out with my friends, watching movies, dancing and video games. I attend Hunter College where I am pursing degrees in Psychology and English. I plan to graduate in May 2008. Afterwards hopefully I will attend graduate school, preferably in Arizona. I want to be a Psychology or English professor in the future and write books.

I went to the New York Hall of Science on a school trip in fourth grade and loved it! It quickly became my favorite museum. So in my second year at Hunter when my friend told me she worked there and they were hiring, I instantly applied. I began working here in June of 2005 as an Explainer, I was recently promoted to Program Explainer. I have never had a job that I love this much. I never get up in the morning and don’t want to go to work, unlike so many people in the world. I feel so lucky!

The first Virtual Visit meeting I ever went to was just to get some extra money and I was not that interested because I hated the idea of being on camera. But then when I went to the second meeting, playing with the equipment was a lot of fun and seeing what a great guy Chris was and how easy-going and cool he is, that just made me want to be apart of it. Then when it got going and there were a whole three of us, it was way too much fun to even feel like it was actual work. Once I did a “VV” it felt great and so different then anything I had ever done before. The best part is communicating with people from all over America. I fell in love with it and am so happy that I get a chance to do something like this in my life!

Manny:
I was born in Brooklyn and have lived there all 22 years of my life. My hobbies are handball, video games, going to music concerts and my biggest one is shredding on guitar. I am in a metal band called Phthia with Simon and Chris, two fellow Virtual Visit explainers.

I went to Long Island University for 3 years then transferred to Medgar Evans College where I major in Chemistry. I plan to graduate in 2 years and I want to teach middle school. I began working at “the Hall” in June 2006 and at the time it was just for monetary purposes but I really love working here.

I was never to fond of children but working here has made me want to become a teacher. At first I wasn’t that into the idea of Virtual Visits but when the time came, it was so much fun, and even though we are few in number, we have all become pretty close. Doing “VV” is great because the kids are into learning about science!

Here are some pictures of the Virtual Visit Explainer Team delivering the program “Sophisticated Shadows” to a Kindergarten class in Long Island New York.

Here at the New York Hall of Science our front line educators and exhibit floor staff are called “Explainers”

Official definition:

Explainers
These are paid positions for college students to interpret exhibits, perform demonstrations such as the cow’s eye dissection, orient visitors and assist with science workshops and special events.

On our Virtual Visit team they often are our on camera talent and lead the sessions with their excellent explaining and teaching skills. The small but dedicated team is seen here with me (the old guy) as we enjoy a bit of holiday fun at our Explainer Winter Extravaganza. As you can see we are a rockin’ bunch who can’t wait to make virtual connections all over the globe to share our love of Science!

In the coming weeks each of these talented Explainers will introduce themsleves and give a little biographical information….stay tuned!