Academy - Design Thinking Workshop Facilitator; Northeastern

About SMASH

At SMASH, we aim to build a strong STEM workforce through academic learning and experiential engagement for high school and college students. We empower dedicated students in STEM fields through intensive education, rigorous coursework, and access to resources, aiming to cultivate success in college and careers. Our vision is to create a STEM ecosystem where every student can thrive in the global economy.

By providing opportunities, we seek to enrich our communities and workplaces with well-prepared, competitive leaders.

Reporting to the Program Director, the Design Thinking Workshop Facilitator will play an integral role in delivering and sustaining the transformative learning experience that SMASH Scholars need to pursue, persist, and succeed in STEM. Design Thinking Workshop Facilitators will co‑facilitate with two other facilitators, guiding a group of around 35‑45 scholars through project‑based learning. The Design Thinking Workshop is a scholar‑centered course that allows scholars to use technology to address a social issue of their choice.

Scholars will work in various configurations including whole‑group, small group, and individual. Facilitators will support scholars with project management, collaboration, and other workforce readiness traits while empowering scholars to take ownership of their learning and facilitate through inquiry rather than providing answers.

The role is a 3‑week assignment with additional training prior to launch and a virtual close out after SMASH Academy. Facilitators will work with scholars both in person and virtually. As this role has a virtual component, we expect staff to provide their own personal computer with webcam, speaker, microphone, reliable internet, and quiet workspace.

• Attend Training (see dates above)
• Adhere to the structure of curriculum provided by SMASH
• Facilitate Design Thinking Workshop Sessions
  • 2.5‑hour sessions 5 days per week
  • Alternate between whole group, small group, and individual facilitation
  • Facilitate learning through inquiry
    • Adequately prep for sessions by reviewing material
    • Take attendance and communicate absences with Program Director and/or Program Coordinator
    • Ensure technical logistics are in order in virtual sessions during last week of program
    • Communicate with co‑facilitators to ensure smooth lesson delivery
    • Guide conversation between participants, ensuring all voices are heard
    • Manage the space to ensure outcomes are met for the day and that the group is on track relative to larger outcomes and goals for the summer
  • Continuously assess scholar learning, provide feedback, and pivot as needed
  • Communicate and reflect with co‑facilitators to ensure activities are aligned and outcomes are met
  • Log student achievement data on a weekly basis
• Attend Weekly Staff Meetings (1 hour per week)
• Attend Staff Closeout
• Ensure Completion of Deliverables (e.g., log pre‑ and post‑assessment scores, attendance, staff surveys, final inventory, etc.)

• Collaboration:
  
  Exceptional listening, communication, and presentation skills; excellent time management and organizational skills; timeliness and dependability; courageously candid when facing difficult conversations.
• Relationship Building:
  Welcome and embrace individual differences; humility; patience; ability to listen to multiple perspectives; restorative approach to relationship building and conflict resolution.
• Problem Solving:
  Remain curious, innovative, iterative, and quickly pivot as needed; keep activities on track, think creatively, and act swiftly in the face of unanticipated events; make data‑based decisions.
• Resilience:
  Approach situations with a growth mindset, adapt, and reflect to ensure desired outcomes are met.

• Commitment to SMASH’s mission; willingness to embrace goals and values is essential.
• Demonstrated experience and success co‑facilitating workshops with 40‑45 participants (preferably at high school level).
• A belief that all scholars are capable of growing and achieving as learners.
• Previous experience with adopting and adapting to new technologies through self‑guidance and video tutorials.
• Results‑driven; work around…