After-School Hands-On STEAM Instructor

After-School Hands-On STEAM Instructor

Location: Sebastopol, CA
Program: After-School Hands-On STEAM Enrichment
Age Group: 4th–5th Grade
Job Type: Part-Time
Schedule: Weekday afternoons | Fall 2026
Compensation: $55–$65 per session, depending on experience
Work Location: In person

About the Role

We are seeking a creative, energetic, and dependable After-School Hands-On STEAM Instructor to lead engaging science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) enrichment classes for 4th–5th Grade students in Sebastopol, CA.

This program gives upper-elementary students opportunities to design, build, experiment, test, troubleshoot, and create through hands-on STEM and STEAM challenges.

Students may explore engineering design, science experiments, structures, simple machines, circuits, invention challenges, maker projects, physics concepts, design thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Rather than simply following instructions, students are encouraged to ask questions, develop ideas, build prototypes, test solutions, learn from failure, and improve their designs.

This position is ideal for educators, college students, recent graduates, engineers, science educators, STEM/STEAM instructors, makers, designers, and other professionals who enjoy making science and engineering exciting and accessible for young learners.

Curriculum and lesson materials are provided.

What You’ll Teach

Projects and activities may include:

• Hands-on science experiments
• Engineering design challenges
• Building and construction projects
• Structures and bridge challenges
• Simple machines
• Forces, motion, and energy
• Basic circuits and electricity
• Invention challenges
• DIY maker projects
• Prototyping and testing
• Physics-based experiments
• Environmental science activities
• Materials science exploration
• Design thinking
• Creative technology projects
• Problem-solving challenges
• Collaborative STEM projects
• Build-test-improve activities

Activities are designed specifically for 4th–5th Grade students and encourage students to think independently while working collaboratively.

What You’ll Do

• Lead engaging hands-on STEAM classes for 4th–5th Grade students
• Teach lessons using provided curriculum and activity plans
• Facilitate science experiments, engineering challenges, maker projects, and creative design activities
• Introduce students to age-appropriate concepts in science, engineering, technology, art, and mathematics
• Guide students through the engineering design process
• Help students brainstorm, design, build, test, troubleshoot, and improve their projects
• Demonstrate experiments and explain scientific and engineering concepts clearly
• Encourage students to ask questions, make predictions, test ideas, and analyze results
• Help students understand why a design or experiment succeeds or fails
• Encourage creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, persistence, and problem-solving
• Support students in developing their own solutions rather than simply giving them answers
• Adapt explanations and activities for different learning styles and skill levels
• Maintain a positive, inclusive, organized, and safe classroom environment
• Manage classroom routines, transitions, student behavior, and project materials
• Prepare and organize activity supplies before each session
• Assist with project and classroom cleanup after class
• Communicate professionally with school staff and program coordinators
• Follow school-site procedures and program expectations
• Provide brief class updates when requested

Who We’re Looking For

We encourage applicants who:

• Enjoy working with 4th–5th Grade or upper-elementary students
• Have an interest or background in STEM, STEAM, engineering, science, technology, design, invention, or maker education
• Enjoy building, experimenting, creating, and solving problems
• Can explain science and engineering concepts in clear, age-appropriate ways
• Are creative, patient, energetic, organized, and dependable
• Are comfortable leading and supervising groups of students
• Have strong communication and classroom-management skills
• Can follow provided curriculum while adapting instruction to student needs
• Enjoy helping students troubleshoot and learn through experimentation
• Can reliably commit to the Fall 2026 after-school program schedule
• Applicant must be residing in Sebastopol or within 20 miles of Sebastopol.

Experience working with children through teaching, tutoring, camps, after-school programs, STEM programs, robotics programs, science programs, museums, maker programs, mentoring, coaching, or youth enrichment is strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience, education, or interest in one or more of the following is especially helpful:

• STEM / STEAM Education
• Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science
• Physics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Robotics
• Electronics
• Maker Education
• Science Education
• Technology Education
• Product Design
• Industrial Design
• Architecture
• Elementary Education
• Project-Based Learning
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Design Thinking
• Youth Development

Great Fit For Candidates With Backgrounds In

• Engineering
• Science
• STEM / STEAM
• Physics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Computer Science
• Robotics
• Technology
• Architecture
• Industrial Design
• Product Design
• Education
• Elementary Education
• Maker Education
• Youth Development

College students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Candidates from other backgrounds are also welcome if they have relevant experience working with children and enthusiasm for science, engineering, building, experimenting, technology, design, or hands-on learning.

Skills You’ll Use & Develop

This position provides practical experience in:

• STEM / STEAM Education
• Engineering Education
• Science Education
• Classroom Management
• Project-Based Learning
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Design Thinking
• Maker Education
• Lesson Facilitation
• Science Communication
• Creative Problem-Solving
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Youth Development
• Critical Thinking

Why Join Us?

Curriculum Provided
Lesson plans and activity materials are provided so you can focus on engaging students and creating a strong classroom experience.

Teach Through Experimentation
Help students understand science and engineering by actually building, testing, experimenting, and creating.

Work With Upper-Elementary Students
Guide 4th–5th graders through projects that challenge them to think more independently, develop ideas, and solve increasingly complex problems.

Use Your STEM & Creative Skills
Turn your interests in science, engineering, technology, design, or making into meaningful learning experiences.

Gain Teaching Experience
Build practical experience in classroom management, STEM education, project-based learning, science communication, and youth development.

Build Your Resume
Gain relevant experience for careers in education, engineering, science, technology, STEM outreach, museums, youth programming, and informal education.

Make an Impact
Help students develop curiosity, confidence, creativity, persistence, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Position Details

Position: After-School Hands-On STEAM Instructor
Location: Sebastopol, CA
Age Group: 4th–5th Grade
Job Type: Part-Time
Schedule: Weekday afternoons during Fall 2026
Compensation: $55–$65 per session, depending on experience
Work Setting: In person

How to Apply

If you enjoy science, STEM, STEAM, engineering, technology, building, experimenting, design, teaching, or working with children, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your resume and highlight any relevant experience in education, engineering, science, STEM/STEAM, robotics, maker projects, tutoring, camps, after-school programs, museums, or youth enrichment.