After-School Hands-On STEAM Instructor

Job description
After-School Hands-On STEAM Instructor

Location: Sebastopol, CA
Program: After-School Hands-On STEAM Enrichment
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 elementary 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 Elementary Grade students and encourage students to think independently while working collaboratively.

What You’ll Do

Lead engaging hands-on STEAM classes for Elementary 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 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 elementary 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.