STEM Class Robotics Coach/Instructor

Caution Tape Robotics Club is looking for a hands-on Robotics & STEM Coach to work with elementary and middle-school students in our STEM Labs program.

This is not a traditional classroom teaching position.

Our students learn by building, testing, programming, troubleshooting, and improving real robots using VEX IQ. As a coach, your job is not simply to give students instructions or show them the correct answer. You will help them understand how things work, identify problems, test ideas, and develop better solutions.

A typical class may involve helping students figure out why a mechanism is jamming, comparing different gear ratios, improving a drivetrain, debugging a program, or challenging a student to redesign something that technically works but could work much better.

We are looking for someone who enjoys that process and can make engineering approachable and exciting for students in Grades 3–8.

What You'll Do

• Coach students through hands-on VEX IQ robotics projects.
• Teach fundamental concepts in robotics, mechanics, engineering, and programming.
• Help students troubleshoot mechanical and programming problems instead of simply fixing things for them.
• Ask questions that encourage students to think, experiment, and find their own solutions.
• Adapt your coaching to students with different ages, abilities, and levels of experience.
• Observe student progress and provide meaningful feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Keep students engaged and productive during project-based classes.
• Maintain an organized and safe robotics workspace.
• Communicate with other coaches and the Campus Director about student progress and classroom needs.
• Continue learning new robotics concepts, mechanisms, and teaching approaches as our curriculum evolves.

Who We're Looking For

You may be a good fit if you:

• Have hands-on experience with robotics, engineering, programming, makerspaces, or similar technical projects.
• Enjoy building things and figuring out why they do—or don't—work.
• Can explain technical concepts in a simple way without oversimplifying them.
• Are comfortable working with elementary and middle-school students.
• Have the patience to let students struggle productively instead of immediately giving them the solution.
• Can manage several students working on different problems at the same time.
• Are curious and willing to learn when you encounter something you haven't seen before.
• Are dependable, organized, and comfortable taking ownership of a classroom.

Experience That We Value

We care more about relevant hands-on experience and your ability to coach students than about a specific degree.

Relevant backgrounds may include:

• VEX IQ, VEX V5, FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Robotics, or other robotics programs
• Robotics competition experience as a student, mentor, volunteer, or coach
• Engineering or computer science programs
• Arduino, Raspberry Pi, electronics, or maker projects
• CAD, 3D printing, mechanical design, or prototyping
• Programming and game development
• STEM camps, tutoring, coaching, or youth programs

College/university students and recent graduates in engineering, computer science, mechatronics, education, or related programs are encouraged to apply.

Teaching experience is valuable, but formal teaching certification is not required.

What Matters Most

We're especially interested in candidates who can combine technical curiosity with strong coaching instincts.

You don't need to know every VEX IQ mechanism on your first day. We can teach you our curriculum and systems.

What is much harder to teach is the instinct to look at a student's robot, ask good questions, understand what they are trying to accomplish, and guide them toward figuring out the next step themselves.

Requirements

• Experience working with children or youth in a teaching, coaching, mentoring, camp, tutoring, or similar environment.
• Comfortable learning and working with robotics hardware and programming.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Reliable transportation to our Newmarket location.
• Able to work consistently on Saturdays and/or Sundays.
• First Aid & CPR certification is an asset.

Nice to Have

• Previous VEX IQ or VEX competition experience.
• Experience designing or building your own robotics, engineering, programming, or maker projects.
• Experience coaching students through open-ended projects or competitions.
• CAD or 3D printing experience.
• Programming experience beyond block-based coding.

Schedule

Weekend availability is required.

Saturday: 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM–5:30 PM

Candidates who can consistently work one full weekend day may also be considered.

Minimum commitment: 3 months
Work location: In person — Newmarket, Ontario

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $20.00-$30.00 per hour

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z2: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• robotics competition/coaching: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person