+ Part-Time - STEM Program Facilitator

Job Description
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The STEM Program Facilitator will help facilitate many of the Christa McAuliffe Center's in-person STEM education programs, including: simulation of space missions in the Challenger Learning Center for K-12 students (the main responsibility), family engagement days, and other outreach events.

All McAuliffe Center programs cover a wide range of science content complemented by opportunities to practice teamwork, problem-solving, and strategic-thinking challenges. All programs contain accurate and relevant STEM principles or concepts in a way that both educates and inspires further interest in STEM learning.

• The STEM Program Facilitator is mainly responsible for facilitating activities for students in grades 5-9.
• The STEM Program Facilitator is a person who is comfortable with science content and is eager to learn more.
• The STEM Program Facilitator is confident in using education technology for the facilitation of a wide range of learning experiences.
• The STEM Program Facilitator engages students through the use of role-play and dynamic presentation styles.
• The STEM Program Facilitator is a strong team player, organized, and committed to meet the needs of diverse learners who visit the Center.
• A good planner, the STEM Program Facilitator is able to quickly adapt to changes in the daily program or schedule of activities.
• The STEM Program Facilitator is available to occasionally work evenings and weekends.
• The STEM Program Facilitator is accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions within areas of responsibility.
• Individuals who are bilingual (Portuguese and Spanish) are strongly encouraged to apply.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: N/A

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Assistant Director

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate programs in the Challenger Learning Center for middle and high school students
• Facilitate additional hands-on programs for elementary school students and up
• Set up, clean up, and maintain education program environments
• Monitor program materials and make updates when appropriate
• Contribute, via reviews and feedback, to the creation of new education programs

Example of work schedule and expectations:

• Work schedules can be flexible, but time will be distributed between:
  • Facilitating in the Challenger Learning Center between the hours of 8:30am - 2:00pm
  • Assisting other duties and out-of-school time programming implemented during occasional evenings, weekends, and school vacation weeks. They include:
    • CLC programs for Scouts troops during evening and weekend visits
    • Special activities for Massachusetts STEM Week and the McAuliffe Center’s annual science festival
    • Stargazing events
    • Professional development webinars

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position is part-time, not to exceed 18 hours per week, and in-person. A uniform will be provided for use in all Challenger Learning Center programs.

Schedule must be flexible in order to accommodate the scheduling needs of all groups we serve. Occasional work on evenings and weekends is required.

Job Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree
  • OR an equivalent combination of academic and professional experience
• Relevant coursework in science at the college level
  • OR equivalent experience in a science learning context
• Demonstrated experience working in a combination of informal science education, outreach, youth development, or formal education
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new software and digital technologies and troubleshoot
• Demonstrated commitment to a high standard of inclusive educational practice
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to the needs of a diverse range of audiences representing a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and abilities
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative in the work environment, work successfully both as part of a team and independently
• Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese are desired though not required

Additional Information

This is a part-time non-benefited, contract position, not to exceed 18 hours per week. The pay rate is $20/hour to $24/hour.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions
Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Equity and Inclusion Statement
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

The search committee will accept applications up until the position is filled. The online application will open by mid-April.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.

+ Internship - Junior Program Facilitator: Challenger Learning Center and Planetarium

Job Description
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
Multiple positions available

The intern will contribute to preparing for, developing, and facilitating content and activities at the Christa McAuliffe Center's newly-renovated, state-of-the-art Planetarium and upgraded Challenger Learning Center (CLC) space mission simulator.

The intern will assist the Center's staff in developing and implementing planetarium programs that will take full advantage of the newly-redesigned facility and go far beyond a traditional show.

The intern will be among the first to experience, learn, and operate the Center's upgraded CLC Spacecraft and Mission Control simulator. In the CLC, students take charge of a near-future NASA mission. Students take on the roles of crew members with diverse responsibilities, specialized knowledge, and unique tasks necessary to support the mission’s overall goals. Each mission role demonstrates a STEM career area requiring the use of 21st Century skills. The intern will be responsible for assisting with the set up of the simulator, testing and learning to facilitate activities in the CLC, and contributing to developing training materials for future simulator facilitators.
We will continue accepting applications up until the positions are filled.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to the development of new activities and content, making full use of the capabilities of the newly-installed, state-of the-art FSU Planetarium and upgraded Challenger Learning Center.
• Support the facilitation of planetarium programs for students in grades 5-9, college students, and public audiences.
• Support the set up and facilitation of mission simulations in the Challenger Learning Center for students in grades 5-9.
• Engage audiences with an emphasis on those from groups underrepresented in STEM.
• Occasional work on evenings and weekends.

INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

• Course work in STEM preferable.
• Comfortable with science content and eager to learn more. No specific science content knowledge is required, training is provided.
• Confident in using education technology for the facilitation of a wide range of learning experiences.
• Comfortable with creatively engaging students through the use of role-play and dynamic presentation styles.
• Team player, organized, and committed to meet the needs of diverse learners who visit the Center.
• Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese are desired though not required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Internships are eligible for course credit!
• Hourly rate: $16/hour

TO APPLY:
Send an email to BOTH Irene Porro (iporro@framingham.edu) AND Suzanne Wright (swright4@framingham.edu) including:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Names and contact information for three (3) academic or professional references. NOTE: written references are not required.

We will continue accepting applications up until the positions are filled.