Summer Robotics & Coding Educator

Summer Program Dates: June 22 - July 10

Summer Course: Robotics & Coding in the Age of AI

Description

Geffen Academy Educators approach teaching as an intellectual profession of the highest order, one in which knowledge is not only transmitted but created. Geffen Academy Educators possess a sophisticated and reflective understanding of their discipline and a record of achievement which demonstrates their ability to utilize and contribute to the robust connections we have with UCLA, a world-class research institution. Educators' innovation is guided by our school's mission to prioritize proven educational practices while also recognizing that teaching is a complex intellectual endeavor that defies rigid codification. We are committed to a humane working environment and also recognize that teaching goes beyond the life of the mind. Geffen Academy Educators seek to create trusting and caring relationships with their students and with their larger community.

Summary

Robotics & Coding in the Age of AI is an immersive three-week summer course that meets daily and invites middle and upper school students to step into the fast-moving world where programming, robotics, and artificial intelligence intersect. Designed for students with a wide range of experience, the course creates an inclusive, high-energy learning environment in which beginners receive clear, step-by-step instruction in core programming and robotics concepts, while more experienced students extend their skills through increasingly complex challenges and self-directed projects.

Through interactive mini-lessons, technical demonstrations, hands-on robotics activities, and collaborative coding missions, students explore foundational ideas such as mechanical design, sensors, motors, basic electronics, and introductory programming, while also examining how AI-assisted tools are reshaping debugging, idea generation, and creative development. Students investigate how software and hardware work together in real-world applications such as games, simulations, responsive systems, and interactive tools, and they engage in age-appropriate discussions about responsible and ethical uses of emerging technologies. Working both independently and in teams, students test ideas, troubleshoot problems, iterate on designs, and build original coding and robotics-based projects that reflect their interests, whether programming responsive behaviors, developing interactive experiences, or tackling creative engineering challenges.

The course emphasizes engineering habits of mind, including persistence, collaboration, evidence-based problem solving, and learning from failure, helping students see themselves as capable innovators in a technology-rich world. Instruction is developmentally responsive, with pacing, technical depth, and project expectations adjusted based on the enrolled grade band. Under the direction of the Summer Program Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA, the Educator designs and delivers high-quality, in-person instruction on campus. Courses meet daily for up to 90 minutes over the three-week program, and final teaching assignments and instructional responsibilities are determined based on enrollment and overall programmatic considerations.

Under the direction of the Summer Program Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA, the Educator will design and deliver high-quality, in-person summer instruction. The primary teaching responsibility will be Robotics & Coding in the Age of AI; depending on program enrollment and scheduling needs, the Educator may also have the opportunity to teach additional, thematically related summer courses. Courses meet daily for up to 90 minutes over the three-week program. Final teaching assignments and instructional responsibilities will be determined based on enrollment and overall programmatic considerations. The courses are taught in-person on Geffen Academy's Campus.

Job Duties

• Design and deliver a three-week coding course for students in grades 7-12 that integrates foundational programming with introductory AI concepts.
• Teach core coding skills using age-appropriate languages or platforms, supporting students with varied levels of prior experience.
• Scaffold instruction so beginners receive clear, step-by-step guidance while advanced students pursue extension challenges at their own pace.
• Introduce students to how AI tools can support coding and problem-solving, emphasizing responsible and ethical use.
• Lead hands-on coding activities, collaborative challenges, and debugging sessions that promote persistence and teamwork.
• Guide students in designing and developing original coding projects aligned with their interests (e.g., games, simulations, interactive tools).
• Facilitate discussion and reflection on how coding and AI are used in real-world contexts.
• Provide constructive feedback that helps students refine code, improve functionality, and communicate ideas clearly.
• Foster an inclusive classroom environment that encourages curiosity, experimentation, and confidence in technical learning.
• Prepare students to share and explain their final projects, highlighting creative choices and problem-solving strategies.
• Collaborate with Summer Program leadership and fellow educators to ensure a cohesive program experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• This list of duties is not exhaustive.

School: https://www.geffenacademy.ucla.edu

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or specialized training preferred in computer science, engineering, robotics, STEM education, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience teaching or facilitating coding, robotics, engineering, or computer science learning experiences for middle and/or high school students.
• Strong working knowledge of foundational programming concepts (e.g., variables, conditionals, loops, functions), and experience teaching age-appropriate languages or platforms (such as Python, JavaScript, block-based coding platforms, or comparable tools).
• Experience with robotics systems and concepts, including mechanical design principles, sensors, motors, basic electronics, and introductory programming for physical computing platforms.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted coding tools and a clear understanding of responsible and ethical considerations related to artificial intelligence in educational settings.
• Demonstrated ability to scaffold instruction for learners with varied experience levels, providing step-by-step guidance for beginners while designing meaningful extension challenges for advanced students.
• Experience leading hands-on, project-based learning environments that emphasize debugging, iteration, evidence-based problem solving, and engineering habits of mind.
• Ability to foster an inclusive, high-energy classroom culture that promotes curiosity, persistence, collaboration, and confidence in technical learning.
• Skill in guiding students through the design and development of original technical projects and supporting them in presenting and explaining their work clearly.
• Strong classroom management skills appropriate for daily 90-minute sessions in an intensive three-week summer format.
• Experience collaborating with colleagues and program leadership to support cohesive program implementation.
• Familiarity with educational technology platforms such as Google Classroom and Zoom.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; sound professional judgment; integrity; patience; and a collegial, team-oriented approach.
• Ability to perform additional duties as assigned in support of the Summer Program.
• Commitment to Geffen Academy's mission, values, and educational philosophy.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

References will be checked before an offer is made.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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  UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
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  UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment