The CSF is seeking qualified individuals for the following positions: (a) SPISE Summer 2018 Teaching Assistants, especially for biochemistry, calculus, and computer programming in Python (b) Fall 2018 Coding Camp Instructors, and (c) Summer 2018 Robotics Camp Coaches. All positions pay a modest stipend, and are a most rewarding experience. All positions are open until filled.
SPISE Teaching Assistants
Each summer, the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) offers the Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE) to Caribbean high-school students who are gifted in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and interested in studying and exploring careers in these disciplines. The goal is to help address the low numbers of Caribbean students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering.
SPISE is modeled after the well-known and highly-successful MITES program at MIT (http://oeop.mit.edu/programs/mites). SPISE is 4 weeks of total immersion (24/7) in university-level calculus, physics, biochemistry, computer programming, entrepreneurship, Mandarin, Caribbean Unity, and hands-on projects in robotics and electronics/renewable energy.
Instructors in SPISE are university professors from the Region and the Diaspora (including MIT). Some are senior management professionals from leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the Diaspora. These instructors bring unique expertise and perspectives to the students, as well as important networking connections.
The SPISE environment discourages rote learning, and teaches the students how to focus on understanding and applying the fundamentals so as to achieve mastery of the material. This empowers them to be able to tackle complex problems. Grades are not emphasized; mastery of the subject is.
Teaching Assistants reside in the dormitories with the students so that technical assistance and supervision are available 24/7 for the students. The CSF is especially seeking teaching Assistants for Calculus, Biochemistry and Computer Programming (Python). Application forms are available at the SPISE Program Description Page
Coding Camp Instructors
In 2018, the inaugural Level I is being offered to two cohorts of Barbados youth: Level IA (entry-level) for high-school students in the 13 to 17 age range, and Level 1B (also entry Level) for at-risk Barbados youth in 18 to 25-year range as well as some secondary school teachers. The camp uses the facilities of the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies, and is running every Saturday starting from 06 January 2018 to March 31, 2018. The Camp will be offered again from mid September through mid December 2018.
The Level IA and IB camps focuses on html and cell-phone Apps. For both camps,the first half of the syllabus will develop basic coding skills in the campers. In the second half, the campers will form teams, and the teams will focus on the development of simple Websites and mobile Apps that would address specific problems of interest to them. The camps will meet every Saturday beginning January 6, 2018, and will conclude on March 31, 2018 with a public showcase.
Applicants for the Level I Instructor positions will be expected to have facility with principles of web design that would include experience with HTML & CSS, Codepen.io, Ionic Creator, Javascript, AngularJS, Cordova, APIs Foursquare and WordPress.
For Level II Instructor applicants, facility with Python is expected. Level II coaches will be expected to have some experience with the application of coding to video games, programming Raspberry Pis and micro-controllers for the control of machines (robots, drones, appliances, and the Internet of Things) as well as to the processing of big data using machine learning algorithms.
A description and the application form for the Coding camp can be found at CSF Coding Camp/.
Robotics Camp Coaches
The Barbados Junior Robotics Camps (BJRC) are offered annually in the summer by the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF), and target students between 9 and 13 years old who are passionately interested in robotics. The camp uses the facilities of the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies. The 2018 Camps will run from July 9 to August 9, 2018 on weekdays, 9 am to 3:30 pm. The CSF is seeking qualified individuals for the positions of Robotics Camp Coaches.
Coaches will be required to teach basic coding (Scratch) and STEM principles to the campers, as well as to provide supervision and mentoring. Prospective coaches must attend a few coaching sessions in June and July, typically on Saturday mornings.
A full description of the BJRC and application forms can be found at Barbados Junior Robotics Camp.