PODS101: Coding Team member/Curriculum Designer

All JerseySTEM roles are pro-bono (unpaid) positions.

JerseySTEM is a mission-driven professional network of pro-bono contributors dedicated to improving access to STEM education and career pathways for underserved middle school girls in New Jersey.

Members contribute their professional skills and leverage their networks in service of the organization’s gender-equity agenda.

Membership is a minimum six-month commitment of approximately six flexible hours per week and includes a $100 refundable deposit, returned after six months of active membership. K–12 educators, retirees, veterans, interns, and students are exempt from the deposit.

This is a pro-bono volunteer position.

JerseySTEM provides free after school STEM classes to underserved middle school girls grade 5-8. 

The Coding Team member/Curriculum Designer will research, design and curate, format and test a set of 10 lessons (2 hours each) to introduce topics of block coding, programming, MIT App Inventor, emulators etc in an age appropriate manner to the Middle school girls.

• Develop new and interesting STEM curriculum, and update existing curriculum
• Reach out to content providers for potential partnership
• Produce materials for both Coaches and students to use in the afterschool programs
• Produce extracts of the Curriculum to fit the needs of the class
• Answer Coach questions, and provide advice on curriculum content delivery

• Leverage technology for innovative ways to deliver curriculum
• Learn and practice the curriculum concepts (block coding, programming, MIT App Inventor, emulators)
• Use feedback from ongoing classes to improve/enhance existing curriculum
• Be a proactive team member and be part of building a fun and exciting team!
• Weekly time commitment: 5 hours weekly

• Genuine concern about/interest in solving the STEM education gender gap
• Familiarity with Science and Engineering standards for middle school students
• Experience with K-12 schools as a teacher, parent or former student professionally
• Familiarity with with New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Computer Science and Design Thinking
• Working knowledge of MIT App inventor
• Understanding of coding concepts (loops, variables, conditionals etc.)
• Understanding of block coding
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong Analytical skills
• Resourceful, can-do attitude

Time Commitment

• 3-6 Hours weekly
• 6 months minimum