Written by: Andrea Carneiro • February 7, 2019• The Philanthropist

For the Love of Science

Background
Born and raised in Miami, Saavedra was encouraged by her parents to donate her time and talents to the community at an early age. After volunteering at Monkey Jungle for seven years, a teacher eventually steered Saavedra toward science, where she soon found an opportunity at the Museum of Science in Coconut Grove in early 2017. That May she joined the Frost Science team, where she now dedicates most of her week (five days a week from 9 am – 3 pm) to helping staff and guests at the Museum Park family favorite.

The Beauty of Me
Saavedra’s daily duties revolve mostly around the MeLab, five interactive zones (eat, move, relax, connect and learn), that offer experiments revealing how bodies and minds function. “When I arrive, I make sure that all the exhibits are working and set up the Science Lab,” says Saavedra. “Once the guests arrive, I hold the door open for them, greet them, and answer any questions they may have both in English and Spanish. I also show them how to work the exhibits.” Those exhibits include grabbing a virtual plate; jumping on an interactive dance floor; taking timed brain teaser challenges and sinking into a relax pod.

The Big Picture
Saavedra says the best part of her job is the people. “I love my co-workers, and the guests are very nice,” she says. She’s also excited to be a part of such an evolving and ever-changing program that encompasses so many different aspects of science, explaining that they are “ a science museum, planetarium AND an aquarium.”

Seeing the Future
For now, Saavedra is excited for The Frost’s February exhibit “Strange Matter,” which delves into the science behind metals, crystals, magnets, glass and more and according to the museum “uses science to explore the bizarre world of modern materials and provide a glimpse into where the future of these materials might take us.” Saavedra is also not looking to find a new spot anywhere else soon, preferring to deepen her ties to her Frost family and take on even more responsibility. “I hope to become a Guest Ambassador one day,” she says. “I’ve been given a radio and am ready to go!”

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science : frostscience.org

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