Explainers are students from the Bay Area and from around the world who come together to participate in a teaching and learning experience at the Exploratorium—a museum of science, art, and human perception. Explainers learn exhibits, facilitate visitor-exhibit interaction, and support general museum operations. Explainers are paid minimum wage in exchange for their training and service to the museum.

Minimum Requirements

- Candidate must be at least 15 years old and have completed the first year of high school
- Have an open mind to learning new ideas
- Be articulate
- Be interested in working with people within a museum structure
- A background in science is not required

Want to be an Explainer?

Call (415) 561-0344 beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the dates listed below to schedule an interview. Interviews will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis until all interview slots are filled.

Open Application Dates

January 1
May 1
September 1

Past Explainers say...

"I'm working with people from all walks of life, and I've begun to see that the world is a lot bigger than 'my world.' Getting along with people unlike myself has always been hard for me. Judging people before getting to know them has been one of my faults. Thinking on a more positive level allows me to discover the beauty of people. Everyone is different, coming from different lifestyles and cultures. Culture is a celebration of our diverse communities. At the Exploratorium, I've seen people from everywhere come together. I love it!" (1993)

"This program gave me a chance to be in a working environment while building skills and gaining knowledge. Plus, while being in a working environment, I have built many new friendships." (2009)

"I appreciate certain challenges that I encounter on the job, such as new exhibits, cow's eye, and brain dissections. Meeting a lot of visitors has greatly improved my social skills. It’s cool being an Explainer because it teaches teamwork, and it feels good to be serving others, both the visitors and staff, in a helpful way." (2000)

"There were times when something didn't catch my interest in class, but it did when I learned it here. It was hands-on; there was actual proof. It wasn't something read from a textbook." (1987)

"I learned a lot of science concepts that I wasn’t even aware I had learned. These concepts often made my science class easier for me; I could often relate them to an exhibit at the Exploratorium." (2002)

"Working at the Exploratorium has given me the opportunity to learn and to teach what I'm learning to others. I'm thankful for a chance to learn about physics, a subject I never learned about in high school. Working with people has made me more open in communicating with others. I've also learned about being responsible in a work situation." (1993)

"There's an exhibit about how metal expands as it heats up. You can actually feel a metal rod growing as it gets hot! I mean, that's exciting. I think the fact that you can observe the real thing makes it a lot more interesting." (1980)

"The positive impact of working at the Exploratorium on my life has been immense. Not only has the knowledge I have attained here given me the ability to rise to the top of my classes, but the additional self-confidence has allowed me to go out for all the things I always wanted to but was afraid to try at." (2001)

"It is not like school where you solve a problem and the instructor might help you with a step you were stuck on. No, this was a much more interactive kind of thing. And you find a lot of times you could answer your own questions just by experimenting with the exhibits." (1983)

"I enjoy working here because of its diversity, amount of available knowledge and stimuli, and respectful, yet young and energetic vibes that emanate from fellow Explainers and other staff of this wonderful museum." (2000)

"Having this job will help out in terms of financial matters. College is near and I have no way to pay for my tuition and books. My parents will not help pay for my college expenses at all. Education is very important to me right now because I realize that with this declining economy, college degrees will be required in all job fields." (2009)

"The Exploratorium has opened a whole new world and sparked an interest in science I never had before." (1993)

"I learned a lot of things on both a scientific and human level. Being an Explainer goes above and beyond learning about science. I really appreciate having met so many different types of people from such a multitude of backgrounds. They have taught me never to judge someone’s worth based on where they came from, and they inspire me to be a better person." (2009)

For further information, contact
High School Explainer Program
Exploratorium
3601 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

© Exploratorium