Hydro/Aqua-ponics/Reptile Trainee
Listed on 2025-12-31
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Education / Teaching
Environmental Science
Student Advanced Level
Organization: STEM is Child's Play - AI Living Lab
Location: AI Living Lab
An Off-Campus Work-Study position - MUST have a Work-Study Award
AI Living Lab – Soilless Growing and Reptile Training
The AI Living Lab is a community-based, hands‑on learning environment operated by STEM is Child’s Play in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Lab integrates hydroponics, aquaponics, and live animal care with applied STEM education, focusing on real-world systems such as water quality, plant growth, animal husbandry, and environmental monitoring. It functions as both a training site and a living exhibit, serving youth, seniors, educators, and community members while preparing students for emerging workforce pathways in controlled environment agriculture, animal care, sustainability, and informal science education.
No prior experience is required. Structured, supervised training is provided in hydroponics, aquaponics, reptile care, and teaching.
Title:
UNM Work-Study Student – Hydroponic, Aquaponic, Animal Care, and K–12 Education Training Assistant
Hours:
15 hours per week, flexible scheduling around academic commitments
The Work-Study Student will assist with:
- Daily operations of hydroponic and aquaponic systems
- Care of reptiles and aquatic animals
- Delivery of hands‑on STEM education to K–12 students
This is a training‑forward position designed for juniors, seniors, and graduate students seeking applied experience in controlled environment agriculture, animal husbandry, and informal science education. Candidates will support instruction under staff supervision and help create a safe, engaging learning environment for children.
Primary Responsibilities- Assist with setup, monitoring, and routine maintenance of hydroponic and aquaponic systems (pumps, water levels, filtration, nutrient management)
- Support daily care of reptiles and aquatic animals (feeding, enclosure cleaning, habitat checks, monitoring temperature, humidity, and behavior)
- Facilitate hands‑on lessons for K–12 students during workshops, field trips, and after‑school programs
- Prepare educational materials, activity stations, and learning spaces for different grade levels
- Maintain grow beds, tanks, enclosures, and lab spaces following safety, hygiene, and animal welfare protocols
- Record observational data (water temperature, pH, plant growth notes, animal care logs, student participation)
- Support exhibit preparation, signage, curriculum materials, and special projects
- Hands‑on training in hydroponic and aquaponic food production systems
- Applied experience in reptile and aquatic animal husbandry
- Practical experience supporting K–12 STEM instruction in informal learning environments
- Exposure to workforce pathways in sustainability, controlled environment agriculture, animal care, and science education
- Development of communication, observation, documentation, and public engagement skills
Enrolled in a degree-seeking program at UNM, enrolled at least half‑time (6 hours) at UNM for fall and spring semesters (audit hours do not count), and if Work Study, you must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Preferred Qualifications- Current enrollment at the University of New Mexico and eligibility for Federal Work‑Study
- Junior, senior, or graduate standing preferred
- Interest in biology, environmental science, agriculture, animal science, education, engineering, or related STEM fields
- Comfort working with live animals and interacting with children in supervised settings
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