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Ocean Discovery Centerworking name · Planning phase, home

Take part

Ways to take part, one day.

Planning phase. Nothing is open yet: no roles, shifts or sign-ups exist. These quick guides show how taking part would work, so anyone can see where they might fit. Joining would open later through Project OS, a shared system for people and work that is also in the planning phase: one profile for every project, with chat and community there, not on this site.

People and work

The aim: people, and the work they do together.

Our long-term aim is a future where money matters much less, and what counts is people and the work they do together. It is an aim, not a promise. For now money is a tool: work that should be paid would be paid, and volunteers would add to paid staff, never replace them.

Like a game, and safe

  • Quests

    Each task reads like a quest, with a clear goal, place and time. Tasks that repeat form a storyline, such as “River week 3”.

  • Paths

    Training and finished tasks unlock new roles. Your page would show the path you are on and the next step. Levels come from training and experience, never from hours.

  • Badges

    Badges, titles and recognition for finishing a task, learning something and helping someone else, and first pick of new quests.

  • Leaderboards

    Seasonal leaderboards and rewards by category, set by each league; people choose whether to appear.

  • Never scored

    Hours worked, speed on safety-critical work, and risk-taking are never scored. Safety rules are never a challenge.

  • Hours

    At most 10 hours a day per person across all projects, plus 2 bonus hours a week, so one day can reach 12. Volunteer shifts stay at 2 hours or less. Lower limits set by law or an employer come first.

Open to anyone.

Anyone who comes along, after a short safety note at the start.

Quick guides · Planning phase

Open to anyone

Greeter

Quest: Welcome the day's first visitors.

What you do
Say hello at the door or at a program, point the way, and show the step-free route, the quiet room, water and restrooms.
Training
A short welcome and safety note at the start of the shift.
Safety
Stay in the public areas. For first aid, a lost child or anything unsafe, call the event lead; do not handle it alone.
Shift
Up to 2 hours.
Done when
People found their way, and you told the next greeter anything they should know.
Who to ask
The event lead on the day.
Unlocks
Exhibit explainer, after its content training.
Badge
First welcome
Open to anyone

Sorting helper

Quest: Help a whole event waste nothing.

What you do
Stand by the sorting points for recycling, compost and trash, help visitors choose the right bin, and keep the signs clear.
Training
A short note on what goes where, at the start of the shift.
Safety
Gloves on. Never reach into a bin; call the event lead for anything sharp or unknown.
Shift
Up to 2 hours.
Done when
The bins are sorted and labelled, and you noted anything that kept ending up in the wrong bin.
Who to ask
The event lead on the day.
Unlocks
Event lead, after its training.
Badge
Nothing wasted
Open to anyone

Setup and cleanup helper

Quest: Get a program ready, then leave the place cleaner than you found it.

What you do
Set out chairs, tables and portable exhibit pieces before a program, and pack up, tidy and sort the waste after it.
Training
A short safety note at the start of the shift.
Safety
Lift light things only, in pairs for anything awkward. No ladders, tools or power cords; those stay with staff.
Shift
Up to 2 hours.
Done when
Everything is set out as the plan shows, or packed away, and the space is clean.
Who to ask
The event lead on the day.
Unlocks
Event lead, after its training.
Badge
Left it better
Open to anyone

Talk host

Quest: Help an evening talk run on time.

What you do
Meet the speaker, open the talk with the welcome card, keep time, and pass the microphone for questions.
Training
A short note on the room, the welcome card and the timings.
Safety
Keep aisles and exits clear. For anything unsafe, call the event lead.
Shift
Up to 2 hours.
Done when
The talk started and ended on time, and everyone who asked a question was heard.
Who to ask
The event lead on the day.
Unlocks
Exhibit explainer or event lead, after training.
Badge
Good question
Open to anyone

Citizen-science helper

Quest: Help a stream check or a species survey with a group that already runs them.

What you do
Join a watershed group's stream check or survey: carry kit, write down readings and help visitors see what the group is measuring.
Training
The watershed group's own short orientation and its methods.
Safety
The watershed group's rules come first. Stay with the group, and never go into fast or deep water.
Shift
Up to 2 hours.
Done when
The data sheet is filled in and handed to the group's leader. The data is theirs.
Who to ask
The watershed group's leader.
Unlocks
Exhibit explainer, to share what you learned.
Badge
River to ocean

Trained.

People who have finished a short training for the role.

Quick guides · Planning phase

Trained

Exhibit explainer

Quest: Answer visitors' questions at one exhibit.

What you do
Stand by an exhibit, ask visitors what they wonder about, and answer from the exhibit's own sourced facts. Say “we don't know yet” when that is the truth.
Training
Content training for the exhibit: what it shows, its sources, and how to say what is measured and what is not. Pennsylvania's child-protection clearances first, because the role puts you with children.Source: PA DHS 1, Volunteers having contact with children: frequently asked questions (23 August 2024)Source: PA DHS 2, Child abuse clearances (undated)
Safety
Stay where staff can see you. Follow the exhibit's own rules, such as no climbing.
Shift
Up to 2 hours.
Done when
Visitors' questions were answered, and you wrote down any question the exhibit could not answer, without anyone's name.
Who to ask
The education lead, or the event lead on the day.
Unlocks
Program helper, after its training.
Badge
Learned the deep
Trained

Program helper

Quest: Help an educator run a school or family program.

What you do
Hand out materials, help small groups with an activity, and keep the group together, always alongside a staff educator.
Training
A walk-through of the program and a safeguarding briefing. Pennsylvania's child-protection clearances first, because the role puts you with children.Source: PA DHS 1, Volunteers having contact with children: frequently asked questions (23 August 2024)Source: PA DHS 2, Child abuse clearances (undated)
Safety
You are never the only adult with a group. Follow the educator's lead and the program's safety plan.
Shift
Up to 2 hours.
Done when
The activity ran as planned, materials are back, and you told the educator anything they should know.
Who to ask
The staff educator running the program.
Unlocks
Event lead, after its training.
Badge
Helped someone learn
Trained

Event lead

Quest: Run one shift safely, from welcome to handover.

What you do
Brief the volunteers on your shift, give the safety note, check in with each person, and hand over to the next lead.
Training
Event-lead training, including first aid and the plan's safety rules. Pennsylvania's child-protection clearances first, because the role puts you with children.Source: PA DHS 1, Volunteers having contact with children: frequently asked questions (23 August 2024)Source: PA DHS 2, Child abuse clearances (undated)
Safety
You keep the safety plan, and you stop any task that is not safe. Safety is never a race or a challenge.
Shift
Up to 2 hours.
Done when
Everyone on your shift knew their task and the safety note, and the handover note is written.
Who to ask
The volunteer and community coordinator.
Badge
Taught a new helper

Qualified.

People with the required licence or certificate, working for the responsible employer or contractor. Never an open or volunteer role.

Quick guides · Planning phase

Qualified

Playground safety inspector

Quest: Check the ocean play area before first use, and on a schedule after that.

What you do
Inspect the play area against public-playground safety standards and write down what must be fixed before children use it.
Training
A playground safety inspector certification.
Safety
The play area stays closed until the inspection is passed. Volunteers never do this work.
Shift
Set by the employer or contractor.
Done when
The inspection is written up and every item that must be fixed is fixed.
Who to ask
The responsible employer or contractor.
Badge
Safe to play
Qualified

Licensed trades

Quest: Adapt an existing building for public use.

What you do
Electrical, building and other licensed work when an existing building is adapted, under the required permits.
Training
The licences the work requires.
Safety
The employer's or contractor's safety program and the permits. Volunteers never do this work.
Shift
Set by the employer or contractor.
Done when
The work passes its inspections.
Who to ask
The responsible employer or contractor.
Badge
Built to last
Qualified

ROV test-tank supervisor

Quest: Keep the robot test tank safe while visitors try underwater robots.

What you do
Supervise the test tank where visitors drive small underwater robots, and check water and electrical safety before each session.
Training
Water and electrical safety for the tank. The tank and its wiring are installed by licensed professionals.
Safety
The tank opens only after its safety checks pass. Volunteers never replace this role.
Shift
Set by the employer.
Done when
Each session's safety check is signed off, and the tank is closed and secured afterwards.
Who to ask
The exhibits and technology lead.
Badge
Safe dive

For now

Nothing to sign up for yet.

No one is being recruited, and no one should sign up anywhere in this plan's name. When contact opens, the Contact page will say how to tell us what you would like to help with.

ContactProposed experiences