Anna Simmons Email & Phone Number

Monterey, California, United States

Lead the process of content development for large exhibitions and other facilities projects. Help guide and support cross departmental teams through the dynamic exhibition planning and design process. Advocate for the inclusion of diverse perspectives and voices. Collaborate, evaluate, and iterate to create meaningful experiences that engage a wide range of audiences. Excite, inspire, deepen, and connect.

San Francisco, California, United States

Provide leadership and creative vision throughout the planning and development of Academy exhibitions. Oversee the day-to-day aspects of content development and interpretive planning for exhibition projects of various topics, sizes, and budgets. Work collaboratively to define visitor experience goals and concepts. Produce accessible, memorable, meaningful content for Academy audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

San Francisco, California, United States

San Francisco Bay Area

I lead the development of large and small exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences, a non-profit natural history museum and aquarium. Working with talented cross-departmental teams of designers, scientists, educators, and collections managers, I develop conceptual frameworks, direct the development of exhibit messages, and exhibit experiences. I work with internal and external stakeholders to create prototypes and test narratives and experiences with visitors. I write copy for printed graphics and digital media scripts, help produce multimedia elements, engage in photo/video research. I read and synthesize complex scientific content and develop narratives that are relevant and meaningful to audiences of all backgrounds.

Baltimore, Maryland

As an exhibit developer, I led the development of permanent and temporary public-facing exhibits. Collaborating with cross-functional teams including designers, educators, scientists, and other content experts, I generated exhibit concepts and organize intellectual content. We created transforming experiences for Aquarium guests that inspire the conservation of the world's aquatic treasures. I was responsible to determine of conveying exhibit messages that meet goals and objectives. I researched and wrote exhibit labels and media scripts as well as selected photos, videos, and other means of visual presentation that best express the theme, storyline, and education outcomes of an exhibition. An audience advocate, I worked closely with the Education department and Visitor Services department to design and conduct exhibit-related and public program evaluations.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Provided support on the NSF-funded Girls RISEnet project, a nation wide professional development effort to raise the capacity of science centers and museums to effectively engage minority girls in STEM. Responsibilities included curating and disseminating project information via the Girls RISEnet website and monthly newsletter as well as lead the further development of the Girls RISEnet Girl-Friendly Exhibit Rating Tool. The visitor studies project includes gathering research on the relationship between gender and informal learning environments and convening focus groups of science center professionals to gather feedback on the tool's effectiveness.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As the National Garden Intern, I planned, implemented, and managed interpretive materials and programs for the public through hands‐on involvement in educational programming. I co-facilitated a program called Hands on Plants Science (HOPS) that took place in the National Garden. We partnered with local not‐for-profit organizations and governmental organizations to bring Washington D.C. public school children to the U.S. Botanic Garden. Through outdoor education and experiential learning with plants, we taught the importance of sustainability and biodiversity. To compliment the student program, we led a HOPS teacher training for DCPS staff. I was responsible to create a terminology and resource list, help supply and set-up the themed activities, coordinated activity rotations, and facilitated several days of the week-long training. I developed a HOPS program evaluation for the visiting DCPS students, participating teachers, and partners. Other responsibilities included facilitating public programs to an international audience that communicate the importance of plants and how individuals can help conserve and protect them. I researched regional native flora and wrote ephemeral signage for the conservatory and outdoor garden. Lastly, I initiated the development and design of a new "National Garden Family Guide" for visiting family groups.

National Harbor, Md

The National Children's Museum Launch Zone is a temporary space where children can prototype exhibit components and programs, and share their ideas about what should be included in the new Museum planned to open in 2013. As a Launch Zone Team Member, I guided children's activities and supported offsite "Museum Without Walls" programs. I provided administrative assistance when necessary, such as answering phone calls, registering patrons for public programs, and welcoming visitors to the Launch Zone by introducing them to the concept of the self-facilitated hands-on learning environment.

South Lake Tahoe, Ca

During the summer of 2010, I served as the temporary Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) Regional Coordinator. Responsibilities included helping the SNAP director to recruit, train, and mentor 27 AmeriCorps members who serve with different Sierra Nevada conservation organizations. The full-time AmeriCorps members serve with conservation agencies/non-profits throughout the Sierra to conduct, assess, and restore impaired watershed habitats and increase community stewardship by conducting watershed restoration and ecological monitoring, watershed education, and volunteer recruitment and support.I completed time-sensitive administrative tasks and program goals including the Annual SNAP Newsletter. I also provided integral support throughout the hiring process of the successive permanent SNAP Regional Coordinator. This involved disseminating the job description, evaluating CV's and cover letters, and conducting telephone and in-person interviews with more than 20 candidates.

Santa Cruz, Ca

As a School Programs Volunteer, I helped instruct the Seymour Center’s on-site school field trip programs. I taught hands-on marine science to grades K-community college. The activities were based on thematic 'Discover Lab' and Tours chosen by the visiting teacher. The program incorporated interpretive tours of the marine lab to engage students in the current scientific research conducted at the lab. The tours included visiting Long Marine Lab’s dolphins, sea lions, seals, and “Ms. Blue”—one of the world's largest blue whale skeletons on display.

Incline Village, Nv

During my year of service as an AmeriCorps Member, I learned a plethora of scientific information regarding limnology and lake ecology to interpret scientific information to the public. I utilized interactive models, maps, videos, and live specimens to teach about Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. I provided tours of the Platinum LEED Certified Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences building and the Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center. At TERC outreach events, such as the Annual Science Expo, I demonstrated thematic lab activities and facilitated hands-on science demonstrations. With the Sierra Watershed Partnership I led restoration projects to inspire interest in conservation issues, particularly concerning watersheds. Individually, I developed a “Trout in the Classroom” program for schools in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin. I also helped plan events such as the “Tahoe Environmental Literacy Summit”, the “Annual Children’s Environmental Science Day” and “Watershed Tours for Educators”. I was the primary volunteer coordinator for all TERC outreach events, coordinating up to 75 volunteers at one time. I composed press releases, designed flyers, and supported a monthly lecture series. I collected visitor survey information using the online tool SurveyMonkey. I also authored articles featured in the UC Davis TERC quarterly newsletters.

Masters

E-Campus/Professional Development

Bachelor Of Arts