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MIT Beaver Works - Microelectronics and Hardware Development Teaching Assistant

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
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Teaching Assistants (TA) are needed for a 4-week long virtual summer program, the MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI).  BWSI is a rigorous STEM program for talented high school students from across the country. The Microelectronics and Hardware Development class is geared towards students who have excelled in math and science classes but may not have had any prior exposure to building hardware systems or practical engineering challenges.  Each student and TA will receive an ELEGOO “Most Complete” Arduino kit complete with breadboards, various sensors, and motors.  The students will not use solder for this class. 

 

The virtual Zoom class runs from 10AM EST to 6PM EST for four weeks from early July to early August. During the first week, the TAs will provide guidance on how to build basic breadboard circuits such an LED that turns on in the dark using a photoresistor.  Each day, from Monday to Wednesday of that week, will consist of a lecture on how to build these basic circuits plus ample lab time where students will build those circuits and ask questions if needed.  Lecture material, in the form of Powerpoint slides, already exist but the TAs will have the freedom to tailor the slides to their own teaching style.  Later in the week, the students will be given a “challenge build” where they must solve a specific problem using the hardware development concepts that they have learned thus far.  The remainder of the week is open lab time and the students will have an opportunity to present their hardware solution on Friday afternoon.  The TAs will help debug or be available for consultation or questions over Zoom during lab time.   

 

The second week will be similar to the first week but scaled up in hardware complexity.  During the final two weeks, the students will work in small teams to develop a unique hardware system that solves a problem of their own choosing as a final project.  During these two weeks, the TAs will be responsible to reviewing the proposed projects to ensure they are tractible and providing support during the build and debug phases.   

 

We anticipate having at least two TA’s present during the class hours.  In addition to the Arduino instruction and lab time described above, other guest lecturers and instructors will be scheduled to present supplementary enrichment material such as a more theoretical understanding of microelectronics, day-to-day life of professional engineers, and other topics. 

 

Tasks for this class include the following:

  • Present lecture material on the basics of working with microcontrollers
  • Monitor students during daily lab sessions and help them debug their hardware
  • Review final projects proposals and associated bill of materials for additional hardware that the students want

 

Job Requirements

  • Current undergraduate students in Computer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other technical fields
  • Good communication skills and the ability to convey technical concepts in a clear, concise manner to bright students with limited prior exposure to hardware development
  • Familiarity with microcontrollers (Arduino and Arduino-compatible hardware)
  • Knowledgeable about integration of additional hardware components to Arduinos (sensors, actuators, motors, etc.) 
  • Enthusiasm about getting students interested in hardware development
  • Nice-to-have: knowledgeable about the design and fabrication of microelectronics, knowledgeable about printed circuit board (PCB) design, knowledgeable about integrated circuit design 

 

If interested in applying fill out application at the following website: 

https://mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/beaverworks_job_application_2025

 

A brief resume will be needed to complete the application.

 

Pay is competitive, based on length of relevant experience. For any questions please contact bwsi-admin@mit.edu.

 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. You must be a U.S. Citizen or have authority to work in the U.S. in order to be considered for this position.