STEM Equity and Teacher Professional Development Specialist for PhET Interactive Simulations

Job Summary

The PhET Interactive Simulations project (http://phet.colorado.edu ) at University of Colorado Boulder is launching the PhET For Schools Access Program , a program to deepen our support of and work with less-resourced communities (Title 1 and Community Eligible Provision schools/districts) in the United States. The PhET For Schools Access Program provides eligible public districts and schools with access to the PhET iOS and Android/Chromebook apps at no cost for the 2023-2024 school year, enabling districts and schools to install the apps on school-issued compatible iPad, Chromebook, and Android devices. It also provides opportunities for free teacher professional development on the effective use of PhET simulations.

The PhET STEM Equity Ambassador will be responsible for coordinating, leading, and monitoring the professional development opportunities for teachers involved in this program, including building a network of teachers, providing webinars and office hours to familiarize teachers with PhET’s resources, and managing more extended workshops and courses to promote PhET’s evidence-based teaching strategies. This position centers equity, engagement, and inclusion in STEM education, and this individual may also support other U.S.-based activities, including expanding PhET’s professional development offerings to new partners and advancing PhET’s DEIB in STEM Education initiative.

Our mission is to create STEM learning tools to advance STEM learning worldwide. Our collection of free PhET simulations are used 250 million times per year, worldwide. The PhET For Schools Access Program will expand the impact of our simulations in districts and schools through supportive professional development for teachers.

We build diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work, and we aim to cultivate a sense of belonging in our team.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder is a world leader in the design and use of interactive math and science simulations for advancing STEM education. The PhET team is dedicated to high-quality STEM education for all students, disseminating PhET simulations as open (free) education resources globally and pioneering approaches for making interactive content accessible to all learners. Today, PhET simulations are used more than 250 million times per year globally and translated into more than 100 languages.

The PhET team is a passionate, creative, and productive group, including STEM education, simulation, and inclusive design experts, education researchers, software engineers, quality assurance specialists, and more. Our project is a blend of an academic research project, an outreach project, and an innovative education technology company, housed within the Department of Physics and working with diverse partners at CU Boulder and around the world. PhET’s work has received numerous international awards, including being named a 2017 WISE Awards Winner, a 2011 Tech Award Laureate, and winner of the 2014 Reimagine Education Award.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

The applicant will join the vibrant and productive PhET team, working closely with the PhET Director, the PhET Associate Director of Global Initiatives, and PhET’s various math and science education specialists.

The STEM Specialist / PhET Ambassador will:

• Coordinate, lead, and monitor the professional development opportunities for teachers involved in the PhET For Schools Access Program (about 3-5 sessions per month, primarily during evenings).
• Provide webinars and virtual workshops to introduce teachers to PhET and promote active learning pedagogies.
• Provide pedagogical support to school leaders and other teachers who request it.
• Manage communication with stakeholders, including district or school information technology specialists and math and science teachers.
• Revise and develop new student and teacher resources that align with recommendations from the PhET DEIB Advisory Board, in collaboration with the PhET pedagogical team.
• Seek out, establish, and maintain relationships with teacher networks, professional development providers, and other educational stakeholders to promote PhET’s resources and programs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the PhET pedagogical team.
• Bring strong interpersonal skills and a passion for creating an inclusive collaborative environment, where each individual is supported and valued for their contributions.
• Devote time to reflection and to improving current processes and strategies.

What You Should Know

• Funding for this position is secured for the 2023-2024 school year. We anticipate funding will continue for additional school years, if the program is effective.
• Candidates can work remotely in the United States.

What We Can Offer

• This is a part-time (20-25%, 8-10 hours/week) position.
• Annual Salary Range : $14,000-$20,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements

Be collaborative. Be dynamic. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years experience as a middle or high school math or science teacher, including deep experience using PhET simulations.

What You Will Need

• Knowledge of PhET’s simulations and active learning strategies.
• Knowledge of teaching strategies for creating equitable STEM learning environments.
• Ability to independently facilitate and lead online professional development events for groups of teachers (virtual meetings, webinars, learning management systems).
• Strong digital literacy skills for working in a virtual environment.
• Outstanding organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex projects and competing demands, and synthesize information for stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, when working with team members as well as stakeholders.
• Flexibility to work with teachers outside of typical school hours, and occasionally meet with international team members who have different working hours.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of the PhET Project.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience teaching and learning math or science with PhET simulations.
• Experience creating and implementing PhET sim-based activities.
• Experience coaching and leading other teachers to improve their instructional practice.
• Experience working with students in less-resourced schools / districts (e.g. Title 1 and Community Eligible Provision schools/districts).
• Knowledge and/or lived experience with issues of equity in education and STEM education.
• Experience working with diverse populations of students and teachers.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter, describing your qualifications for and specific interest in this position
3. Transcripts/Proof of Degree
4. Portfolio URL/Link (optional)
5. PhET sim-based activity: All applicants must submit a PhET sim-integrated lesson. This lesson may be an original creation or an adaptation of existing materials (with appropriate citation of the original author). The sim-integrated lesson should include learning goals, demonstrate active learning and inquiry, and incorporate evidence-based pedagogical practices.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

During the application process you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request a letter of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses.

Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until the position is filled.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu