What are the responsibilities and job description for the Thinkabit/STEAM Instructional Specialist position at Virginia Tech?
About
The Virginia Tech Roanoke Center (VTRC) seeks an informal Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) educator to serve as an instructor for the Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ at the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center. This role will primarily involve instruction of the Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ Signature Experience, on an as-needed basis, to groups of K-12 students from area school divisions. Additional instructional opportunities may also be available for other Virginia Tech Roanoke Center Science STEAM program deliveries.
The Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ at the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center is a hands-on learning environment designed by Qualcomm to engage students and educators in unique invention projects. STEM skills can enhance every student’s future, regardless of their field of study, and we want to prepare both students and teachers to address the complex challenges of tomorrow. The Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ and our other Virginia Tech Roanoke Center STEAM programming allows synergistic work with school divisions to create opportunities and lower barriers.
The scheduling of instructional sessions can vary, but typically involve delivery of 2 sessions per week (estimated 6 hours per session). These sessions occur Monday-Friday, between 8 : 30am-5pm, at the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center (108 North Jefferson Street, Suite 701, Roanoke, VA 24016). Instructors will be expected to teach both in-person and virtually in support of the program.
The Thinkabit / STEAM Instructional Specialist will :
- Attend Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ Signature Experience instructor training sessions.
- Teach the Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ program as scheduled (estimated 2 sessions; 12 hours per week). This program includes, but is not limited to :
- Arriving 30 minutes prior to student arrival to ensure lab is set up and ready.
- Welcoming students as they enter the lab.
- Teaching Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ Signature Experience program content (Internet of Things, Engineering Activities, Engineering Design Process, Internet of Things Invention and Exploring careers at Qualcomm®).
- Clean up and reset of the lab at end of day.
- Providing material requests to VTRC Senior Program Support Manager as needed.
- Create a positive educational climate for students.
- Work with VTRC staff to ensure initiatives and program objectives are met.
- Effectively manage student behavior in the lab.
- As needed, provide instruction for other Virginia Tech Roanoke Center STEAM programs (ACE, Battle of the ROAbots, Micropython).
The Thinkabit / STEAM Instructional Specialist will earn $300 per instructional session (estimated 6 hours per session) and the number of sessions will be determined by program needs, available funding, school division participation and student participation in the program. The successful candidate must have a valid conviction check and complete Title IX / Minors on campus training prior to employment.
Required qualifications :
Preferred qualifications :
Interested applicants should email or mail a resume, cover letter and a list of 3 professional references to :
Scott Weimer
Executive Director of Roanoke Regional Initiatives
108 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 701
Roanoke, Virginia 24016
weimers@vt.edu
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
