STEAM Project Designer, K-12 Education

Job description

The Curriculum Developer designs the imagination-sparking STEAM projects and curriculum at the heart of every Galileo educational product. The job includes carrying an idea from initial prototype — say, a cardboard castle with a working drawbridge — through testing and refinement, to a gif-based facilitation guide an instructor can pick up and teach with confidence. While the role is primarily focused on curriculum development and production, it also includes developing and delivering instructor training. For 25 years, Galileo has been offering best-in-class, STEAM-based summer camps that build creative confidence, growth mindset, and innovation skills for kids from kindergarten through eighth grade. Today, we serve kids at nearly 100 flagship Camp Galileo sites and now, through Galileo X Solutions, also empower school district staff and community-based organizations to deliver our programs for their summer, afterschool, or intersession offerings. This role sits within the Educational Product team — the group that builds the programs, tools, and systems that make Galileo educational enrichment experiences possible — and reports to the Director of Educational Product. The Curriculum Developer works closely with other Educational Product team members and partners with the Supply Chain team to curate and specify instructional materials. Success in this role requires serious creativity and tinkering skills, an approach to development grounded in the real needs of instructors and the children they teach, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced production environment. It also calls for big-picture thinking while still sweating the smallest details, and the openness to embrace an iterative and feedback-driven, collaborative design process. Why this Role Matters Every Galileo lesson reaches thousands of educators and tens of thousands of children. That impact starts with a kernel of an idea — a mini golf game with paint-stirrer walls, a secret safe with a pneumatic deadbolt, a rideable rocking pet made from a reinforced cardboard box — that the Curriculum Developer might dream up on a Tuesday afternoon. From there, it becomes a catalyst that shapes what materials get ordered, what instructors say in the classroom, and what kids actually build with their own two hands. There are intangible impacts too. For kids: building Galileo projects enables them to pursue their own ideas, solve their own problems, and develop lasting confidence in their ability to create. For new instructors: using our carefully crafted facilitation guides might help them discover they love teaching, and inspire them to launch a career in education. For Galileo: the quality of our curriculum is a key driver of our success as a business. Our signature projects attract families to our camps. Instructors return year after year because the curriculum sets them up to succeed. School districts partner with us and renew because our program is unique and delivers on its promise. The Curriculum Developer sets all of this in motion. You will be Accountable For Designing the Projects Dream up, tinker, and perfect hands-on STEAM projects that inspire kids, delight their families, and differentiate Galileo programs from the rest. Test activities in classroom settings to refine lesson pacing and project steps, and ensure building techniques are age-appropriate. Specify the materials needed for each project — down to the exact number of craft sticks and inches of tape. Collaborate with the Supply Chain team to approve samples and meet all program constraints. Building the Facilitation Guides and Training Create clear, multimedia facilitation guides that are grounded in the Galileo Innovation Approach and support instructors to implement the program with ease. Design — and sometimes deliver — instructor training that builds excitement for Galileo’s programs and prepares facilitators to deliver them with fidelity. Driving Continuous Improvement Get out in the field to observe the programs in action. Talk with instructors about what is and isn't working, and obsess over survey data and customer feedback. Turn those findings into insights that inform future development. Contributing to Educational Product Support a range of Educational Product team priorities as needed —E.g. new curriculum templates to support instructional best practices, applications for accessing and distributing content, professional development for Camp Directors/ Site Leaders, tools and resources for program operations, etc, Take initiative to expand into new areas of Educational Product design as personal goals align with the team's needs. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience to demonstrate subject matter expertise in education, art and design, engineering, or related fields. 3+ years in educational settings, specifically designing hands-on activities that engage students in creative problem-solving. Experience creating multimedia content, including basic photography and video production. Understanding of K-8 enrichment environments, educator needs, and kids' developmental capacities. A deep well of STEAM project ideas and a proven track record of bringing those ideas to life. Experience meeting regular deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced production environment. A track record of developing clear instructional materials and effectively communicating complex ideas. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, we encourage you to apply! Work Location Bay required: This position would be based in the Bay Area. Galileo Headquarters, 111 Myrtle St., Oakland, CA 94607. Galileo currently adheres to a hybrid office and work from home policy. More information to be provided during the interview stage. HQ staff may be expected to visit camp locations or clients to experience Camp Galileo and Galileo X Solutions first-hand. Occasionally, onsite events or meetings may also be required. 10% travel may be required, depending on location. Schedule & Time Commitment This is a full-time position, averaging 40 hours per week. While we prioritize work-life balance, there may be times when additional hours are necessary to meet deadlines and ensure the success of our programs. Compensation We anticipate total compensation for this Full-Time, exempt position to be $70,000 - $80,000 plus eligibility to earn a 5% bonus annually beginning the first January after a full season in this role. Exact compensation may vary and will be based on multiple factors, including geography and professional experience. Our pay practices are guided by a commitment to equity and informed by market benchmarking and internal audits to minimize bias and ensure fairness across all roles. Benefits We offer comprehensive benefits that reflect our commitment to supporting diverse needs: No-cost medical insurance for employees (additional plans and options to add dependents available at cost) Vision and Dental Insurance 401k benefits after 1 year of employment Flexible Paid Time Off - time off is not limited, and we strongly recommend that employees take time off to rest and recharge. Unlimited free camp for your child(ren), OR two free weeks to be gifted (including AM/PM Extended Care) Friends and Family Discount for Galileo Camps Priority scholarship nominations for Galileo Camps Generous parental leave and extensive support with leave planning Employee Assistance Program, options for life insurance, and more! Please note that our job descriptions are a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties. We comply with the ADA and provide reasonable accommodations that allow qualified applicants/employees to perform the essential functions of the job. To request an accommodation, contact our Human Resources team. During the onboarding process, in accordance with applicable local and state requirements, you may be required to complete a Tuberculosis (TB) screening, background check(s), and state-mandated training(s). More details will be provided during your onboarding process. Physical Demands Occasionally lift and carry up to 30 lbs. operate a computer (including typing, reading) Seeing, hearing, and speaking, both nearby and at a distance Use hands and fingers to help with classroom supplies and operate equipment Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, and sitting Equal Opportunity Employer Galileo Learning is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Galileo Learning’s mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. We provide out-of-school enrichment programs that build innovation skills, growth mindset, and creative confidence across a variety of offerings. We run neighborhood summer day camps for families, deliver expanded learning programs for school districts, and empower educational institutions and service providers with curriculum and instructional support. We bring our mission to life through the Galileo Innovation Approach (GIA): combining mindset, process, and knowledge to drive meaningful outcomes for students and for each other. This shows up in how we collaborate, make decisions, and continuously improve our work. We are: Visionary: We think beyond what exists today and work toward what’s possible. Courageous: We take ownership, make decisions with imperfect information, and lean into challenges. Collaborative: We work across teams and perspectives, assuming positive intent and building strong partnerships. Determined: We follow through, hold a high bar for quality, and stay focused on delivering results that matter for our students and partners Reflective: We learn from experience, use data and feedback to improve, and continuously evolve how we work. We operate with a high level of ownership and care for our work, our partners, and each other.