Visitors learn about science from docent volunteers.
Docent Program
Join a group of individuals who are helping to make possible the best in science education and enjoyment. The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center has initiated a volunteer Docent Program in order to connect the talents of community volunteers to the needs of visitors and students.
After completing your docent training program, you will be able to select which subject areas and types of responsibilities you will want to take on. The range of activities available to docents is varied. Examples of opportunities include:
- Assist visitors with hands-on science activities.
- Be available to explain to visitors the various exhibits.
- Provide tours of the exhibits and the Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center.
- Assist in outreach programs for schools and community events.
- Work in the Docent Office. Help with filing, typing, mailings, phone and e-mail correspondence.
We currently attract thousands of visitors, locals and tourists to the UC Davis Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center every year. Our volunteer docents help visitors to have an enjoyable, educational experience through which they will learn about Lake Tahoe and environmental problems affecting it. Our program offers docents unlimited opportunities for enjoyment, enrichment and personal satisfaction.
Docent Training
The 2009 Docent Training Program begins on June 17, 2009. This five-part training program in environmental science education and leadership will provide new docents with all the instruction they will need. For more information about the docent program, please contact TERC education coordinator Heather Segale at (775) 881-7562, or e-mail hmsegale@ucdavis.edu.
2009 Docent Training Program (5 Sessions)
- June 17, 2009: Program Overview & Research at Lake Tahoe
- June 22, 2009: Overview of Exhibits & Green Tour of TCES
- June 24, 2009: Student Activities & Working With Youth
- July 1, 2009: Lake Tahoe 101 & Geology of the Tahoe Basin
- July 10, 2009: Docent Boat Ride on the UC Davis Research Vessel John LeConte
Docent Manual
The Docent Manual was recently updated (version 3, June 2009) and contains the following chapters:
- Table of Contents
- Docent Program Information
- Exhibits of the Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center
- Student Activities and Science Standards
- Science and Research at Lake Tahoe
- Additional Resources
Docents are not expected to memorize the content of the Docent Manual, but rather utilize this as a resource to familiarize themselves with the information presented at the science education center.