SMART Lab Facilitator - School Age

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a STEM field, Education, or a related discipline or equivalent experience
• Prior experience in an educational setting, such as a formal classroom, informal learning center, or after-school program
• Demonstrated knowledge of and passion for STEM subjects
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences of all ages
• Proven ability to lead hands-on, project-based activities
• Strong organizational skills, including time management and multitasking
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
• Ability to work with a diverse group of children
• Flexibility and adaptability to handle changing circumstances

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on instruction with students of different ages (5-13) and skill levels
• Design lesson plans that align to core curricular skills students are learning in math, ELA, science, and social studies
• Teach students to program a variety of robots including: Bee Bots, Sphero robots, Pro-Bots, Mbots, Seeker robots, Spike Prime robots, and more
• Teach students to create projects on computers using block based codes and a variety of websites/apps such as: Code.org, Scratch, Minecraft EDU, Code Cubes, and more
• Engage students in meaningful engineering projects using Lego, K'nex, Zoob, blocks, and other materials to create a necessary tool, attachment, or contraption
• Teach students the basics of 3D design and 3D printing using TinkerCAD
• Introduce students to text-based coding languages such as Javascript and Python
• Engage in professional learning and research to stay current with coding and robotics technologies and to develop new lessons
• Establish procedures that promote proper handling, maintenance, and organization of materials in the Smart Lab
• Supervise students in a computer lab setting, ensuring safety and engagement
• Engage in the troubleshooting process with students in order to help them solve basic debugging problems
• Instructive support and mentoring: Create a supportive and encouraging learning environment that motivates participants to experiment, ask questions, and think creatively
• Mentor students, offer guidance, and foster positive peer relationships within the program
• Observe student progress and provide constructive feedback to help them develop confidence and critical thinking skills
• Collaboration and communication: Work closely with lab facilitators, and other staff to align activities with program goals
• Communicate with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders about program goals, student progress, and upcoming events
• Collaborate with local industry and academic partners to enrich program content
• Administrative and safety: Organize and maintain all necessary materials, equipment, and supplies for activities
• Ensure all safety protocols are followed during activities, especially those involving lab equipment or tools
• Assist with collecting feedback, tracking program attendance, and reporting on outcomes
• Professional growth: Stay current with best practices in STEM education and new developments in the field
• Participate in professional development training and ongoing facilitator meetings