Material Science Intern Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

About dae

dae is a Connecticut-based nonprofit innovation studio for learning. We operate as an immersive school, community hub, and incubator where youth explore emerging technologies through project-based work and mentorship, and adult learners develop technical and human competencies for careers in emerging technology fields.

About the Role

The Intern Educator (Computer Science) supports Lead Educators in delivering immersive, project-based learning experiences across dae’s high school programs. Working directly with students, the Intern Educator serves as a technical mentor, helping learners design, build, troubleshoot, and complete authentic technology projects while developing both technical and human competencies.

Rather than primarily delivering lectures, the Intern Educator works alongside students through hands-on learning experiences, providing individualized guidance, encouraging curiosity, strengthening problem-solving skills, and helping students make meaningful progress toward project completion.

The role also contributes to student progress monitoring, curriculum improvement, Learning Studio operations, and the continuous development of engaging educational experiences.

Reports to: Director, Learning Studio

Location: Stamford High School Campus (777 Long Ridge Rd., Stamford, CT)

Length: School Year, September through June, 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., two to four days per week

Why dae

• Paid Work Opportunity: Earn while gaining valuable experience at a rate of $18 to $25 per hour.
• Mentorship and Professional Development: Receive individualized support and guidance for continued professional growth.
• Collaboration with Technical Experts: Work alongside experienced educators and professionals across multiple technology disciplines.
• Hands-on Technical Development: Deepen technical knowledge while supporting students as they build real projects.
• Meaningful Student Engagement: Help students develop technical confidence, exercise ownership, and complete projects that reflect their interests and capabilities.

Responsibilities

Student Learning and Technical Mentorship

• Support Lead Educators in facilitating immersive, project-based computer science learning experiences.
• Mentor students as they design, build, troubleshoot, refine, and complete technical projects.
• Provide one-on-one and small-group technical guidance throughout the project-development process.
• Support student learning across dae’s technical pathways, including:

1. Web Development
2. Video Game Design and Development
3. Internet of Things (IoT)
4. Cybersecurity
5. Data Science
6. Artificial Intelligence
7. Quantum Computing

• Adapt educational approaches to support individual learning styles, technical abilities, and successful project completion.
• Encourage student ownership, collaboration, creativity, persistence, and technical problem-solving.
• Build positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate supervision, accountability, and professional boundaries.
• Provide regular feedback to Lead Educators regarding student progress, technical challenges, participation, and emerging needs.

Student Progress and Documentation

• Monitor student engagement, technical development, project completion, and overall learning progress.
• Track individual student progress based on project milestones, demonstrated competencies, participation, and completion.
• Maintain accurate documentation of student progress, learning needs, technical challenges, and project status.
• Identify students who may benefit from additional educational or technical support.
• Collaborate with Lead Educators to develop and support individualized learning plans when appropriate.
• Communicate student observations, progress, concerns, and support needs to Lead Educators consistently and promptly.

Curriculum and Continuous Improvement

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of dae’s curriculum, projects, and educational experiences.
• Contribute ideas, technical resources, project examples, and educational materials that strengthen student learning.
• When appropriate, develop curriculum content, technical exercises, project resources, or workshops aligned with personal expertise and organizational needs.
• Share observations and recommendations that improve student experiences, educational approaches, project delivery, and program effectiveness.
• Research emerging technologies, tools, and educational practices that may strengthen dae’s learning experiences.
• Support the refinement of technical projects so they remain relevant, rigorous, engaging, and achievable for students.

Documentation and Program Support

• Support classroom preparation, technology setup, demonstrations, project reviews, and other activities required for successful program delivery.
• Assist with maintaining organized educational resources, project materials, technical tools, and program documentation.
• Support student showcases, presentations, workshops, recruiting events, community events, and other Learning Studio activities as assigned.
• Help ensure students and educators have access to the technical resources and information needed to complete project work.
• Collaborate with Lead Educators and other Learning Studio staff to maintain consistency, communication, and follow-through across educational activities.
• Perform additional educational and program-related responsibilities as assigned.

Professionalism and Representation

• Represent dae professionally in all interactions with students, families, schools, partners, community members, and colleagues.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating professionalism, curiosity, accountability, collaboration, respect, and continuous learning.
• Foster an inclusive, welcoming, rigorous, and student-centered learning environment that reflects dae’s values.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality when handling student information or discussing student needs.
• Demonstrate reliability by arriving prepared, completing responsibilities on time, and communicating promptly about questions, concerns, or schedule changes.
• Give and receive constructive feedback with openness, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries.
• Contribute positively to the Learning Studio culture and the conditions that allow students and colleagues to do meaningful work.

Qualifications

Core Experience and Qualifications (Required)

Education

• Current undergraduate or graduate student, or recent graduate, pursuing or holding a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Data Science, Game Development, Computer Engineering, Education, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Experience with programming or software development required.
• Experience working with students through mentoring, tutoring, teaching, coaching, camps, peer leadership, volunteer work, or a similar educational setting.
• Experience collaborating effectively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts to learners with different levels of technical experience.
• Experience building positive relationships while maintaining accountability for student participation, progress, or safety.
• Genuine interest in education, technical mentorship, student development, and project-based learning.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong programming fundamentals and technical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly, patiently, and in ways that respond to different learning needs.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to build meaningful and supportive relationships with students while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Ability to adapt educational approaches to different learning styles, technical backgrounds, and project needs.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to monitor student progress, maintain accurate documentation, and communicate concerns or support needs.
• High level of personal accountability, professionalism, reliability, and follow-through.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Lead Educators and other Learning Studio team members.
• Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Ability to balance flexibility with clear expectations and appropriate boundaries.
• Commitment to dae’s mission, values, and project-based learning approach.
• Willingness to represent dae professionally and serve as an ambassador for the organization.

Preferred (Not Required)

Preferred Technical Experience

• Experience teaching, mentoring, or building projects in one or more of dae’s technical pathways, including:

1. Web Development
2. Video Game Design and Development
3. Internet of Things (IoT)
4. Cybersecurity
5. Data Science
6. Artificial Intelligence
7. Quantum Computing

• Experience with programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, C#, Java, C++, or comparable languages.
• Experience with modern web technologies such as HTML, CSS, React, Node.js, or comparable frameworks and tools.
• Experience with game-development platforms such as Unity and/or Godot.
• Experience with robotics, embedded systems, microcontrollers, sensors, or other IoT technologies.
• Experience with artificial intelligence, machine learning, data-analysis tools, or related technologies.
• Familiarity with quantum computing, quantum mechanics, quantum programming tools, or related concepts.
• Experience developing curriculum, educational resources, technical exercises, workshops, or project-based learning experiences.
• Experience supporting student showcases, demonstrations, presentations, or collaborative technical projects.
• Experience working in project-based educational environments.
• Bilingual or multilingual, with Spanish language proficiency preferred.