Youth Maker Educator

Youth Maker Educator- PT

Reports to: Tinkering Manager

Type: part-time non-exempt position

Schedule: Approximately 20-25 hours a week with occasional weekends events and holidays.

Minimum starting hourly rate: $13 per hour

Location: Mix of onsite at Amazeum and offsite in partner schools and community spaces in Northwest Arkansas

Scott Family Amazeum Overview

The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on interactive museum in Northwest Arkansas and recognized as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. We create a fun environment where risk taking imagining problem solving discovery collaboration and exploration bring children and adults together to learn and grow.

Core Purpose: The Amazeum exists to spark and nurture the curious and creative spirit in all of us.

Through experiences with the Amazeum individuals and the community are engaged in building relationships and developing identities as creative curious and innovative shapers for the region. Learning at the Amazeum is an active playful exploration that inspires curiosity. It is rooted in inquiry-based discovery and involves an element of risk. Hands-on learning opportunities allow guests to exercise critical thinking in the context of play.

The Amazeum facility includes approximately 50000 square feet of indoor space and one acre of outdoor exhibition and activity space. The museum is located at the intersection of Museum Way and J Street in Bentonville AR.

Position Summary

The Youth Maker Educator is a creative collaborative and curiosity-driven educator who facilitates youth-centered maker and entrepreneurship experiences across Northwest Arkansas. This part-time position supports the Youth Makers Program a teen development initiative at the Scott Family Amazeum that blends entrepreneurial thinking with hands-on making.

In this role youll lead both school-based workshops and onsite mentoring that introduce middle and high school students to problem-solving product development and creative business skills. Whether youre teaching circuitry with paper designing wearable tech or helping teens brand their pop-up market booths youll foster a space where young makers can experiment take risks and bring their ideas to life.

Essential Functions

School-Based Workshop Facilitation

• Guide hands-on skill-based experiences such as circuit-based art wearable technology and simple machines.
• Deliver engaging curiosity-driven workshops in schools that introduce students to core concepts in entrepreneurial thinking such as spotting real-world problems understanding user needs and generating innovative solutions.
• Support students in connecting making skills to entrepreneurial ideas fostering confidence and creativity as they imagine and prototype marketable products.

Amazeum Youth Maker Program Support

• Mentor teens ages 1119 as they develop products for Youth Maker Markets our teen-led maker market with products designed and made by the youth in our programs. Supporting materials include but are not limited to product curation branding pricing marketing and business preparation.
• Help lead Open Make Times in the Amazeums Tinkering Workshop where teens in our Youth Maker cohort can prototype design and make products for the Youth Maker Market. This position will assist with setup/cleanup and model safe use of tools (e.g. laser cutters hand tools crafting materials).
• Cultivate a positive inclusive space where teens feel safe to take creative risks and explore both technical and life skills.

Team Collaboration & Program Support

• Collaborate with Amazeum educators makers and community partners to refine curriculum and co-facilitate workshops.
• Maintain a safe welcoming and inclusive learning environment in both formal and informal settings.
• Support program logistics material prep documentation and workshop setup/teardown.
• Stay current on maker tools and techniques (e.g. laser cutters punch needle leatherworking circuitry) and be open to learning alongside youth.
  

General Duties

The responsibilities listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position. The Amazeum reserves the right to revise or change position duties and responsibilities as necessary to accommodate changing organizational needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• 1 year experience facilitating youth programs (formal or informal)
• Familiarity with maker tools and/or creative processes (e.g. making prototyping digital fabrication)..
• Availability for some evening and weekend hours especially during program seasons.
• Able to work onsite at the Amazeum and at regional offsite partner locations in Northwest Arkansas; reliable transportation required.
• Strong verbal written and interpersonal communication skills with an emphasis on creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere
• Ability to maintain a professional and approachable demeanor with all audiences (internal & external)
• Proficient in the use of Google Workspace

All applicants must be able to:

• Provide the necessary documentation to prove that you are a U.S. citizen permanent resident or a foreign national with authorization to work in the United States
• Complete and pass a background check

Physical Requirements

• Able to stand walk bend and actively interact with youth and adults for extended periods of time.
• Able to lift and move program materials and equipment up to 20 lbs. overhead regularly and occasionally 40 lbs.
• Able to work in environments with moderate to excessive noise

Preferred Skills:

• 1 year experience facilitating youth programs (formal or informal) especially with middle/high school students.
• Relevant college coursework
• Youth program facilitation experience with middle school and/or high school students
• You are a maker at heartcurious hands-on and excited about sharing creative processes with others.
• You bring a learner-centered mindset celebrating diverse skills learning styles and cultural perspectives.
• You have experience working with teens ideally in educational or community settings.
• You are flexible emotionally intelligent and capable of managing group dynamics in a fun and constructive way.
• Youre excited to travel to schools and partner locations and feel comfortable teaching in varied environments.
• You embody the Amazeums spirit of playful exploration creativity and community-building.

How to apply

Submit your completed Amazeum application your resume and cover letter via the Amazeum Career Portal.