Practicum

Each MA and Certificate student completes a 135-hour museum practicum, arranged with academic help and supervision. A sampling of recent Museum Education practicum include:

• Working with the manager of interpretation and visitor services at the USS Constitution Museum, one student conducted research, analyzed the data, and redesigned the museum's website to prepare families to engage with the museum's content and each other at the museum.
• Another student worked with the Boston Museum of Science's Eye Opener Program for second-grade students. During the two-semester, paid internship she conducted classroom and in-museum activities, managed facilitators, and designed and tested a new set of activities.
• To gain more experience with programming for adult audiences, a student researched, designed and conducted a walking tour focusing on women authors of Andover in the 18th and 19th century for the Andover Center for History & Culture.
• Already an experienced informal science educator, another student wanted exposure to a different type of museum. At the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum she developed and facilitated programs that helped families explore artworks. She revised the family self-guide of the sculpture park, and created new themes and activities.