Hiring for all positions listed here is done through Student Employment.
The Fine Print
The Leonard Gelfand STEM Center hires a large number of CWRU students who help the Center achieve its mission to get preK-12 students excited about STEM. Some of our openings have regular schedules, most do not. As a result, we cannot guarantee a specific number of hours per week, so if a regular schedule or consistent paycheck is important, this is not the opportunity for you. Most of the programs occur during regular school hours, so the best candidates have a block of time available in their schedules that allows them time to travel to a school, spend at least an hour, and then travel back to campus.
A description of available positions is provided here. The pay rate for all positions is $16.50/hour. Transportation can be arranged for programs taking place off campus.
Participation in training sessions on September 19 and 26 from 8:30 am to noon is required for all students hired by the Leonard Gelfand STEM Center along with a background check which we will pay for.
Office Worker (1 position, Interfolio ID 189745)
This position is a traditional, campus-based, hourly appointment. The Leonard Gelfand STEM Center is looking to fill one full time position for the 2026-2027 academic year. This student will assist Gelfand STEM Center staff with the planning and execution of programs including the Gelfand Science and Engineering Fair program, Think Like a Scientist, Mean Green STEM Machine, Elementary Science Olympiad, and others.
A long time staff person is retiring soon, so this student will also spend considerable time prepping office space for a new hire, purging overcrowded storage spaces, and streamlining general office operations
Gelfand Fellows (15-20 positions, Interfolio ID: 189750)
As the primary university contact for local schools, the Gelfand STEM Center receives a variety of requests for support. Over the last several years, the Center has played a larger and larger role directly in Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) science classrooms. Last year, CWRU students delivered twice weekly lessons in a 5th grade classroom, lessons before and after school in another building, and provided teaching assistance in several junior high classes. As of August 19, we have already received requests for support from three CMSD buildings but have only just begun discussions on specifics. We fully expect several additional requests. As a result, we intend to recruit a large pool of CWRU students in hopes of matching your availability with yet undefined school needs.
The Center is also approached by multiple organizations asking us to staff tables at school STEM Nights or to participate in large STEM events. We typically like to send 3-4 Fellows to each event. In all cases, the Gelfand STEM Center works with Fellows to determine what activities or skills are appropriate for the specific request. Gelfand Fellows are also allowed to support any other Center program if their schedules allow.
Gelfand Science, Engineering, and Maker Fair (10 positions, Interfolio ID: 189746)
CWRU students mentor K-12 students from high needs districts through all phases of the science and engineering fair process. This could include picking a project idea, designing an experiment, gathering materials, collecting and analyzing data, or putting together a presentation board. Most of our participating schools typically host their fairs in the spring semester, but a few schools get started in the fall. Work takes place at the participating school during the school day and transportation is provided. Exact hours and dates are variable and determined by participating teachers so the best candidates for this position have a block of time available in their schedule and do not need consistent, predictable hours.
Near Peer Mentors (4-6 positions, Interfolio ID: 189757)
In summer 2026, the Gelfand STEM Center partnered with the Greendale Couch Organic Farm to host the Roots, Rivers, and Reclamation Institute. Learning communities consisting of up to five high school students and their teacher spent a week exploring social, ecological, and economic impacts of sustainable agriculture. Each learning community developed a Community Action Plan they will execute during the 2026-2027 academic year. The CAPs varied from installing rain gardens to establishing a sustainability-focused lending library to reviving unused green houses.
We are seeking 4-6 Near Peer Mentors to assist each learning community and their teacher in the execution of their Community Action Plan. Students hired into this position will get the necessary background on what transpired during the summer institute. We expect a commitment of 1-2 hours per week on average.
Elementary Science Olympiad (3-5 positions, Interfolio ID: 190173)
The ESO will take place in the spring semester on a Saturday to be determined, but this work will start this fall and continue up to the competition date. Modeled after the Science Olympiad competition you may be familiar with, the Elementary competition is restricted to students in grades 4-6.
Participation by schools used to be robust (15 teams) but has been lagging post-COVID, so those hired into this position will have primary responsibility for recruiting and preparing teams as well as planning the actual competition. Center staff will provide contacts, resources, and guidance, but a team of 3-5 CWRU students will have to breathe new life into a once thriving program.