Middle School STEAM Curriculum Writer

The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) is a comprehensive supplemental education and youth development organization that works to help motivated students develop the intellectual curiosity, academic ability, social values, and personal resilience they need to ensure success in school, career, and life. HEAF identifies scholars in middle school and supports them until they graduate from a four-year college through a variety of after-school, Saturday, and summer educational and youth development programs.

Program: Exploring STEAM Together: A Multigenerational Journey Through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math

Duration: Contract (Up to 45 hours)

Compensation: $2,000.00 (Flat rate)

Location: Remote

Position Overview:

HEAF seeks an experienced and creative Middle School STEAM Curriculum Writer with a specialty in Math to design a 4-week, culturally responsive, and inquiry-based curriculum for Summer Quest 2025 — a dynamic summer initiative serving middle school students of color and their families.

Summer Quest 2025: Exploring STEAM Together is a multigenerational learning experience focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM), with a strong emphasis on building math confidence and real-world problem-solving skills. The program incorporates project-based learning, social-emotional development, and field trips that connect NYC’s cultural richness to STEAM concepts. Families and students participate together to strengthen learning bonds and address generational inequities in education and financial literacy.

The curriculum should emphasize collaboration, cultural relevance, and hands-on application. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of youth engagement, culturally responsive pedagogy, and interdisciplinary design.

By the end of the program, participants will:

• Strengthen foundational skills in core STEAM areas, with an emphasis on math.
• Apply inquiry-based thinking to real-world problems and projects.
• Engage in shared learning experiences with family members using SEL frameworks.
• Explore STEAM through culturally immersive field trips and community-based learning.
• Gain tools for continued academic growth and financial literacy.

Responsibilities & Scope of Work:

Curriculum Development & Design (70%)

• Develop a 4-week curriculum (16 instructional days) incorporating math-centered STEAM activities that foster problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.
• Design hands-on, project-based lessons that integrate real-world math applications relevant to students’ lived experiences.
• Incorporate culturally responsive teaching strategies to make math learning empowering for middle school students of color.
• Create a balanced curriculum with interactive lessons, small-group work, real-world applications, and student-driven projects.
• Ensure alignment with best practices in STEAM education.

Instructional Materials Development (20%)

• Develop lesson plans, worksheets, assessments, and project guidelines to support instruction.
• Curate a list of low-cost, easily accessible materials for hands-on activities.
• Provide detailed instructor notes to support seamless facilitation by the lead instructor and interns.

Evaluation & Revision (10%)

• Conduct at least one round of revisions based on HEAF’s feedback.
• Ensure the curriculum is structured to be adaptable for future program iterations.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Education, Math, Curriculum Development, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience designing middle school math or STEAM curricula.
• Expertise in culturally responsive teaching and youth empowerment.
• Strong background in project-based learning, experiential education, and inquiry-driven instruction.
• Passion for making math engaging and accessible for middle school students of color.
• Strong organizational and writing skills, with experience creating detailed, easy-to-implement lesson plans.

HEAF Vaccination Policy:

We require all HEAF new hires to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 before their start date.

HEAF is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.