STEAM Counts

The STEAM Counts program is an opportunity for students at San Francisco State University to develop their leadership and professional skills, in a service setting. STEAM Counts program participants, help bring a new and inspiring perspective to STEAM lessons and career opportunities in STEAM. Through their time, enthusiasm, and experiences, it is our hope that STEAM Counts Ambassadors will encourage and inspire young people to progress further in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, as well as integrates Artistic practices and Technology into the teaching of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM with an A!).

STEAM Counts students also participate in specialized leadership training, such as workshops and one-on-one meetings to learn how to form meaningful relationships in the community and carry out public engagement projects, in which they use the skills developed to represent San Francisco state university while providing support to a variety of schools and community-based science and technology initiatives. STEAM Counts student leaders are placed in after-school programs as well as outside traditional learning venues, such as museums and non-profit organizations, to better include people who cannot or do not engage with STEAM in conventional ways. 

Additionally, in alignment with San Francisco Unified School District, many participating host sites offer STEAM programming. The STEAM program integrates Artistic practices and Technology into the teaching of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM with an A!) Through collaborative exploration, students build the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to stay current in the 21st century. According to the California Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Learning Network, “a STE[A]M-literate student is not only an innovator and critical thinker, but is able to make meaningful connections between school, community, work, and global issues.”

Specific assignments may vary based on host organization needs: nonetheless, we anticipate that most STEAM Counts Ambassadors’ assignments to be heavily direct service.*

For example, STEAM Counts interns could: 

• Assist Program Leads at sites with K-12 student programming 

• Prepare and co-facilitate workshops, collaborative projects, or academic support sessions for small groups of students

• Support the recruitment and coordination of volunteers, including high school and college students and older adults 

• Help students engage in areas of STEM, by using effective instructional strategies and educational resources, with hands-on and inspiring content.

• Engage students in a variety of fun asset STEM-building activities, such as journal keeping, reading, games, homework assistance, etc.

• Support the structure of long-term ways for involving community members in STEM project activities 

• Generate materials, supplies, and space for STEM-focused initiatives, projects, and activities 

• Support efforts to increase community education, outreach, and awareness related to the project/program 

• Serve as positive role models, and provide feedback to students using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage and motivate students

*Note: At this time all STEAM placements will be with Stonestown YMCA STEAM program.

• Build your resume for graduate school and/or your future career

• Networking opportunities with education, non-profit, and community partners

• Professional development provided by your site and ICCE

• Be part of a cohort community that is committed to inspiring, learn and engage

• Eligible for Financial Aid Work-Study 

• Open to all majors and both undergraduate and graduate levels

• Must be a current SF State undergraduate or graduate student. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 units for the semester and graduate students must be enrolled in at least 4 units.

• Available to work a minimum of 6-8 hours a week, during after-school hours (~2-6 pm) and for the duration of the academic year 

• Must be able to work in person. Students will be assigned to a host organization site.

• Must pass a background check and be negative for Tuberculosis*

• Have the desire to improve STEAM education and must have an interest in working with youth

• A commitment to working in racially, ethnically, and economically diverse communities is a must

• Possess maturity, respect for youth, ability to listen with patience, and an open mind

• Have the ability to work in a diverse setting and a passion for making a positive impact in one’s community

• Desired (though not limited to) Majors: Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Education, Liberal Arts, CAD. 

*Note: More information from ICCE as to how and where to complete LiveScan and TB test will be given prior to beginning at the assigned host organization site.

• To participate in STEAM Counts, students must receive Financial Aid Work-Study 

• Compensation: $18.07 per hour (effective Aug. 2023)

1. Students submit an online application to apply to the Community Work-Study program.

2. ICCE program staff interview (via Zoom) applicants who pass the initial screening. The interview is a way for us to get to know you and answer any questions you may have!

3. If offered a position, ICCE program staff will identify and match the assignment that’s the best fit for the host organization and student.

4. STEAM interns attend an orientation/training, and complete background check and TB test before beginning their assignments, along with ongoing training sessions that are required of all STEAM interns prior to beginning at their host site.

5. Selected STEAM interns:

   • Mandatory Orientation (online): (time TBD)

   • Expected start date at host organizations: asap (pending on background check & TB test results)

Apply early! Positions open until filled. Applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis. This is a community work-study program. 

If you have any questions or would like more information about STEAM Counts, please contact icce@sfsu.edu

ICCE will

• provide STEAM Counts intern(s) at your site at no participation fee to your organization; 

• be able to provide host site organizations STEAM Counts interns will potentially work 6-10 hours a week per semester, for a duration of one academic year (hours of work are dependent on a student’s work-study allocation and ICCE’s budget);

• Provide a biography/resume of your STEAM Counts intern; 

• Provide an annual program calendar, meeting requests, and reminders of upcoming activities and deadlines;

• Provide a virtual pre-service orientation, prior to the STEAM intern's first day of service; 

• Provide ongoing support, guidance, and professional development to ensure that the STEAM Counts interns are successful in their position (e.g., Ambassador monthly check-ins, ongoing mentorship, and leadership training, advising students of their responsibilities); and

• Compensate participating STEAM Counts through Federal Work-Study at a rate of $18.07 per hour (effective Aug. 2023)

Matching 

ICCE facilitates matching students with community partners. Matching STEAM Counts interns with community partners will be based on skills, availability, and pertinent skills, talents, and interests, such as: 

• Relationship between STEAM Counts intern's talents/hobbies/major and students or organizations’ interests and needs

• Schedule availability  

• Background or experience 

These are simply parameters to keep in mind rather than a rigid set of criteria when matching. The needs of our Community Partners are the prevailing factors to consider. Matching will take place on an individual basis prior to the start of the program. 

Timing of Placement

We hope to confirm participants as soon as possible, once they are finished with the pre-placement process. i.e. LiveScan and TB test clearance. 

The STEAM Counts program operates for a duration of one academic year with an anticipated start date at the host organization by Sept. 2024, and an end date of May 17, 2024.

Work Hours 

STEAM Counts interns are not expected to work on holidays observed by the university and their host site. Additionally, STEAM Counts interns are work-study paid students and their compensation does not cover the winter, spring, and summer breaks. Therefore, we do not require STEAM interns to work during these time periods.

Specific assignments may vary: nonetheless, we anticipate that most STEAM Counts inters’ assignments to be heavily direct service and related to STEAM initiatives, programs, and activities.  For example, STEAM Counts interns could: 

• Tutor and mentor K-12 students 
• Prepare and facilitate tutoring workshops, collaborative projects, or academic support sessions for small groups of students
• Recruit, train, and coordinate (but not select) volunteers, including high school and college students and older adults 
• Help students engage in areas of STEAM, by using effective instructional strategies and educational resources, with hands-on and inspiring content.
• Engage students in a variety of fun asset STEAM-building activities, such as journal keeping, reading, games, homework assistance, etc.
• Structure long-term ways for involving community members in STEAM project activities 
• Generate materials, supplies, and space for STEAM-focused initiatives, projects, and activities 
• Conduct community education, outreach, and awareness related to the project/program 
• Serve as positive role models, and provide feedback to students using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage and motivate students to pursue a career in STEAM

A program like this benefits our community partners and schools by providing regular and consistent volunteers. It also provides San Francisco State University students with the chance to network, develop their skills, and use their experience to make a positive impact in the local San Francisco communities. Our partners will receive continuous stable and long-term support and develop closer ties with San Francisco State University students, staff, and departments. STEAM Counts interns will help and support community partners to implement strategies to address the range of challenges that impact STEAM education outcomes for children and youth in their communities, and thus improve STEAM education outcomes for students living in their communities.

Supervision and Work

STEAM Counts Interns' work will always be done in the presence of, and under the direction and supervision of, and after-school program coordinator or other school or organization employee. Host sites are required to designate a supervisor, who can orient, train, and introduce the interns to key players; and provide support and guidance on day-to-day activities. Their work is dependent on the organizations’ needs and thus will vary--they may, at times, work one-on-one with a student; they may work with small groups; they may work with large groups. Their work should be STEAM-based. Although they may be asked to perform occasional clerical or housekeeping tasks (making copies, straightening the room, etc.), the great majority of their time should be helping students/ or the organization's participants with their STEAM-focused needs and initiatives. 

Trainings/Orientation 

A critical component of the STEAM Counts Program is the training and development provided to cultivate the STEM Counts interns’ nascent leadership, teamwork, and professional skills. STEAM Counts interns are required to attend the host site's ongoing training and orientation. If a host site does not have an orientation/ training set in place, the host site coordinator should meet and acquaint the Stem Count intern(s) with their job roles, expectations, and site resources. Training plans for the STEAM Counts interns should be specific to their assignment(s), including any skill training that is needed. 

Please contact icce@sfsu.edu