STEM Specialist

The STEM Specialist designs and delivers transformative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics experiences for middle and high school youth. This role goes far beyond teaching content — it's about building the whole person.

Through hands-on challenges, real-world problem-solving, and career-connected learning, the STEM Specialist helps members develop the critical thinking, collaboration, and workforce readiness skills they need to thrive — in school, in careers, and in life.

STEM Skills: Hands-on technical skills that power future careers

Life Skills: Character, resilience, and real-world readiness

Career Readiness: Exposure to professions and post-secondary pathways

• Serve as a positive mentor and role model — model the work habits, professionalism, and character traits members will need throughout their lives
• Recognize and celebrate members' positive behavior, effort, creativity, and accomplishments — build confidence and growth mindset
• Ensure members receive meaningful instruction and constructive feedback — teach members to receive and apply feedback — a critical workplace skill
• Continually adapt activities to respond to member interests, needs, and cultural diversity — build cultural awareness and inclusive collaboration skills
• Record daily attendance and maintain accurate participation records — develop members' accountability habits through consistent structure
• Demonstrate leadership in conduct, safety, life, and employability skills development goals

Technical Skills · Innovation · Problem-Solving

• Design and facilitate hands-on STEM experiences promoting innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving — members tackle real engineering and design challenges
• Lead activities in robotics, coding, engineering design, electronics, digital literacy, and scientific exploration — build technical competencies aligned to in-demand career fields
• Facilitate project-based learning experiences that encourage collaboration and creativity — mirror authentic workplace team dynamics
• Coordinate STEM competitions, challenges, showcases, and special events — members build presentation and performance skills
• Utilize technology and educational software to enhance learning experiences — digital fluency for the modern workforce
• Maintain STEM equipment, technology, and learning spaces safely and organized — responsible stewardship of shared resources

Workforce Readiness · Pathway Exploration

• Introduce members to STEM careers and post-secondary opportunities — connect every activity to real jobs and real futures
• Assist members in developing technical skills supporting college, career, and workforce readiness
• Collaborate with schools, colleges, businesses, and community partners to provide STEM enrichment opportunities — bring guest speakers, site visits, and mentors into the learning experience
• Oversee STEM-related field trips, competitions, community service projects, and special events

Collaboration · Accountability · Community

• Collaborate actively as an Impact Center team member to meet shared program goals
• Prepare written experience plans detailing activity purpose, materials, process, and skills addressed — build personal planning and documentation skills while modeling professionalism
• Participate in implementation of other Impact Center activities as needed
• Maintain the Impact Center facility — cleaning, organizing, and preparing activity spaces — shared responsibility and community pride

Life & Work Skills

Critical Thinking: Analyzing problems, evaluating options, and reasoning through solutions 

Resilience & Grit: Iterating through failure in engineering challenges builds persistence and a growth mindset 

Collaboration: Team projects teach members to communicate, negotiate, and achieve shared goals

Responsibility: Managing equipment, meeting expectations, and following through on commitments

Self-Management: Goal-setting, time management, and self-monitoring in structured activity environments

Cultural Awareness: Working alongside diverse peers and exploring inclusive design practices

Creativity: Maker-space and design projects build imagination, originality, and innovative thinking

Employability & Work Skills

Communication: Presenting projects, explaining processes, and collaborating with peers and mentors

Professionalism: Attendance, reliability, conduct standards, and positive relationship-building

Feedback Reception: Giving and receiving constructive critique — a cornerstone of workplace success

Digital Literacy: Using technology, software, and online tools fluently and responsibly

Project Planning: Breaking goals into steps, managing materials, and executing multi-stage projects

Leadership: Taking initiative, supporting teammates, and stepping up in team challenges

Workplace Safety: Understanding and applying safety protocols in hands-on environments

The STEM Specialist connects daily activities to real professions — helping members see themselves in meaningful careers and understand the pathways to get there.

Position Skills & Traits

• Passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
• Coachable, adaptable, and flexible team attitude.
• Excellent organization and self-management skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to recognize and reinforce positive youth behavior.
• Creativity and enthusiasm for helping youth discover their strengths and future careers.

Organizational Values

• Innovative & Adaptable: Embracing change and creativity.
• Resourceful: Finding solutions and staying informed.
• Coachable: Being open to feedback and growth.
• Accountable: Taking responsibility and building trust.