Maker Kids is Hiring!

Maker Kids is looking for a new person to join our team as a part time Workshop Leader!

About Maker Kids

Maker Kids is a non-profit organization that enables kids to build their ideas with real tools and materials. Our goal is to inspire and empower kids to think, design, experiment and create. We offer workshops, seminars, and afterschool programs at our Makerspace in Roncesvalles village, and participate in events in Toronto and the area.
In recent years, the Maker movement has grown exponentially through print publications, web sites, events and community spaces. Collective community workshops known as Hackerspaces or Makerspaces have grown worldwide from 124 in 2009 to over 500 in 2011. We are at the leading edge, providing the first kids’ Makerspace in Canada, empowering them to be Makers, too!

We started in 2010 with a summer program and school events. In 2012, we obtained and renovated a permanent space. Our Makerspace has facilities and tools for woodworking, electronics, mechanical creations, programming, art, sewing, cooking, and all kinds of other crafting and making. It is a centre for ideas, inspiration, and creation.

Job Description

Your job will be primarily to lead the Maker Kids after school classes. These classes run from 3:45 until 5:45 at our MakerSpace at 2241 Dundas St West in Roncesvalles Village in Toronto. There will also be paid preparation time.

You will guide and encourage the kids in various planned activities and in their own projects. The kids actually lead their own projects – they are encouraged and allowed to make mistakes, it’s part of the process.

You are a creative and energetic person who likes working with kids and exploring new ideas. You have experience working with kids in an engaging environment such as at a summer camp. You are a Maker, with interest and experience designing and creating things. Creativity is a key asset, you are interested in making your own ideas come to life, not just following instructions.

You are not required to have the full range of technical skills that kids will need to be taught for their projects, but you should have some. Maker Kids co-founder, volunteers and guest artists will be present during classes to teach various specific skills. You can learn along with the kids! You need to have a love of learning, and a proven ability to pick up hands-on skills.

For the first session, October to December, you will work alongside MakerKids staff one day per week to get the feel for the classes, and how we work.

After that, in January 2013, you will lead classes after school 4 days per week. On the fifth weekday, we will have an open “Hack Night”, when all are welcome to come and participate. You will also organize and supervise this event. We also hold some weekend and other events that you will help with.

Documenting our experiences online is an important part of the process. Kids and parent get to see their work highlighted, and others can share our experiences. You will take photos and write blog posts for this.

You will also help us to plan and implement new programs. As Maker Kids’ first employee after the 2 founders, you will be in a unique position to help shape this organization!

Responsibilities Include:

Leading workshops after school and assisting with other events
Purchasing and organizing materials
Assisting with developing programming
Writing blog posts
Communicating with parents and others by email

Skills and Experience Required:

1 year or more of experience working with kids aged 8 to 12
Degree or diploma in early childhood education or related field, OR 2 additional years experience working with kids.
Some hands-on Making skills
Strong organizational abilities
Written communication skills
Love of learning

You will work for approximately 20 hours each week.

If this opportunity is of interest to you, please contact [email protected]