SMART Lab Facilitator - School Age

Operation Breakthrough•Kansas City, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Smart Lab Zone Facilitator provides hands-on instruction in engineering, coding, and robotics to students in Operation Breakthrough’s K-8th Grade School Age Program. The facilitator will design hands-on lessons and activities that help students apply academic knowledge and build new skills as coders and roboticists. During the 8:30-5:30 workday, the facilitator will teach several school-day classes and an after-school class.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.
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.
Stay current with best practices in STEM education and new developments in the field.
Participate in professional development training and ongoing facilitator meetings.