About the job
Join Columbia University’s prestigious Pre-College Programs as a Pre-College Instructor for Astronomy and Astrophysics during the Summer of 2026. We are looking for dynamic educators to develop and deliver engaging on-campus courses tailored for high-achieving high school students.
As part of our program, you will report to the Senior Director of Instruction and Curriculum, crafting immersive, non-credit courses that inspire and challenge bright young minds. Your responsibilities will include guiding students through classroom activities, supervising field trips, and providing constructive evaluations of their performance at the conclusion of the course.
Course Overview:
This course explores the vast universe, tracing the evolution of astronomical knowledge from ancient civilizations to contemporary studies of extrasolar planetary systems, cosmology, and black holes. Key topics encompass Newton’s laws of motion, Kepler’s laws, orbital dynamics, and the principles of space travel. Students will delve into the nature of light and matter, while exploring nuclear physics, the properties of our sun, solar system, distant galaxies, the formation of chemical elements, and the universe's expansion. Ultimately, participants will be equipped to investigate dark energy and the universe's ultimate fate.
Prerequisites: It is recommended (but not required) that students have completed one year each of high school chemistry and physics. A comfort with math is essential, as a quantitative approach will be employed throughout the course. Calculus knowledge is advantageous but not mandatory.
Course Schedule:
Session B: July 21 - August 7, 9:10 AM - 11:00 AM & 1:10 PM - 3:00 PM
Please be aware: Course availability and schedules may change. All times are in Eastern Time (ET).
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and develop course content, including syllabus, lesson plans, and assignments in accordance with Pre-College guidelines.
- Facilitate all class sessions and supervise student excursions.
- Create an engaging learning environment tailored for high school students.
- Assess student work and provide holistic evaluations post-course.
- Address student inquiries and concerns, managing class sizes of 20-24 students.
- Complete all necessary online training requirements.
