After-School STEAM Instructor

After-School STEAM Instructor 

Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Program: Mission Mystery, Hands-On Forensic Science & STEM
Age Group: 1st - 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 an enthusiastic, curious, and engaging After-School Forensic Science Instructor to lead Mission Mystery, a hands-on science enrichment program for 1st - 5th grade students in Santa Rosa, CA.

In this interactive STEM program, students become junior science investigators as they use observation, experimentation, evidence, and logical reasoning to solve age-appropriate mysteries.

Students may explore topics such as fingerprints, chromatography, handwriting analysis, observation skills, invisible messages, powders and substances, patterns, measurements, microscopy, and evidence-based problem-solving through engaging science experiments and investigative challenges.

The emphasis is on scientific inquiry and discovery, not crime or graphic forensic content. Students learn how scientists observe carefully, gather information, test ideas, compare evidence, and use reasoning to reach conclusions.

This position is ideal for educators, college students, recent graduates, science majors, STEM/STEAM instructors, biology or chemistry students, forensic science students, and youth enrichment professionals who enjoy making science exciting for children.

Curriculum and lesson materials are provided.

What You’ll Teach

Mission Mystery activities may include:

• Fingerprint patterns and identification
• Chromatography and separating colors
• Invisible ink and secret-message experiments
• Observation and memory challenges
• Mystery powders and safe substance identification
• Handwriting and pattern comparisons
• Measurement and data collection
• Magnification and microscopy activities
• Evidence sorting and classification
• Simple chemistry experiments
• Scientific testing and comparison
• Logic and deduction challenges
• Pattern recognition
• Mystery-solving STEM challenges
• Collaborative science investigations

Students will practice thinking like scientists by learning to observe, question, investigate, experiment, record evidence, compare results, and draw conclusions.

What You’ll Do

• Lead engaging after-school forensic science and STEM classes for 3rd Grade students
• Teach hands-on lessons using provided curriculum and activity plans
• Facilitate age-appropriate science experiments, investigations, and mystery challenges
• Guide students as they collect, observe, compare, and interpret evidence
• Introduce basic forensic science techniques in a fun and developmentally appropriate way
• Demonstrate experiments and explain scientific concepts clearly
• Encourage students to make predictions and test their ideas
• Help students distinguish between observations, evidence, assumptions, and conclusions
• Encourage curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and scientific reasoning
• Guide students through multi-step mystery-solving activities
• Support students in explaining how evidence led them to a conclusion
• Adapt activities for different learning styles and skill levels
• Maintain a positive, inclusive, organized, and safe classroom environment
• Manage classroom routines, transitions, materials, and student behavior
• Prepare science materials and activity stations before each session
• Assist with experiment and classroom cleanup afterward
• Communicate professionally with school staff and program coordinators
• Follow all school-site safety procedures and program expectations
• Provide brief class updates when requested

Who We’re Looking For

We encourage applicants who:

• Enjoy working with elementary-age students
• Have an interest or background in forensic science, biology, chemistry, STEM, STEAM, science education, or hands-on learning
• Enjoy science experiments, mysteries, puzzles, and problem-solving
• Can make scientific concepts engaging and understandable for children
• Are curious, patient, organized, enthusiastic, 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 encouraging children to ask questions and investigate possible answers
• Can reliably commit to the Fall 2026 after-school program schedule
• Applicant must be residing in Santa Rosa or within 20 miles of Santa Rosa.

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

Preferred Qualifications

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

• Forensic Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• General Science
• STEM / STEAM Education
• Science Education
• Environmental Science
• Biochemistry
• Criminalistics
• Laboratory Science
• Psychology
• Elementary Education
• Education
• Project-Based Learning
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Experiential Learning
• Youth Development

Formal forensic science experience is not required. Candidates with a strong science background and enthusiasm for hands-on teaching are encouraged to apply.

Great Fit For Candidates With Backgrounds In

• Forensic Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• STEM / STEAM
• Science
• Science Education
• Psychology
• Education
• Elementary Education
• Environmental Science
• Laboratory Science
• 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 an enthusiasm for science, experiments, mysteries, investigation, or hands-on learning.

Skills You’ll Use & Develop

This role provides practical experience in:

• Science Education
• STEM / STEAM Education
• Forensic Science Education
• Scientific Inquiry
• Classroom Management
• Experiment Facilitation
• Project-Based Learning
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Science Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Problem-Solving
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Youth Development

Why Join Us?

Curriculum Provided
Lesson plans and program materials are provided so you can focus on engaging students and creating an exciting learning experience.

Turn Science Into a Mystery
Help students discover scientific concepts through clues, experiments, investigations, and hands-on challenges.

Build Scientific Thinking
Teach students how to observe carefully, gather evidence, test ideas, recognize patterns, and support conclusions.

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

Use Your Science Background
Turn your interests in biology, chemistry, forensic science, psychology, or STEM into engaging experiences for young learners.

Build Your Resume
Gain relevant experience for careers in science, education, STEM outreach, museums, laboratories, youth programming, and science communication.

Make an Impact
Help students develop curiosity, confidence, critical thinking, collaboration, and a lasting excitement for science.

Position Details

Position: After-School Forensic Science Instructor
Program: Mission Mystery – Hands-On Forensic Science & STEM
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Age Group: 1st - 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 forensic science, biology, chemistry, STEM, STEAM, science experiments, mysteries, investigation, teaching, or working with children, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your resume and highlight any relevant experience in science, forensic science, biology, chemistry, education, STEM/STEAM, tutoring, camps, museums, after-school programs, or youth enrichment.