CSU Energy Institute K-12 Outreach Program, Graduate Student Intern
CSU Energy Institute K-12 Outreach Program, Graduate Student Intern
The Energy Institute serves as a nucleus of research, education and outreach for CSU faculty, staff and students in multiple focus areas: carbon solutions, access to energy, energy systems and devices, energy and water, energy policy and human behavior, and environmental impacts. The Institute is housed, in part, at the Powerhouse Energy Campus, one of the nation’s top academic laboratories and a showcase of clean energy research and carbon solutions technology. The Institute employs a unique interdisciplinary approach to develop innovative solutions to energy challenges that translate science into global societal impact.
The CSU Energy Institute is seeking a motivated and dynamic Graduate Student Intern to support and elevate our community outreach, educational programming, and campus engagement efforts. This leadership-oriented position, offering applied experience and mentorship under the guidance of a 20+ year veteran educator and former public-school teacher, involves managing and improving the Energy Institute’s mobile classroom and STEM Truck initiatives, playing a key role in developing and delivering clean energy educational experiences.
Duties include:
Mobile operations and event delivery. Safely transport, set up, and operate the 20-foot mobile classroom and STEM Truck at schools, community events, and university functions. Coordinate logistics and schedule alignment for outreach activities.
Curriculum design and educational programming. Lead the creation and refinement of hands-on, inclusive curriculum modules on clean energy, sustainability, and climate solutions tailored to a variety of audiences (K-12, college students, public, etc.).
Program evaluation and strategic improvement. Use data and participant feedback to assess the effectiveness of educational modules and outreach events. Recommend and implement improvements to content and delivery methods.
STEM truck leadership. Help lead the design and deployment of interactive STEM activities for mobile delivery, including the development of modular, portable experiments and learning stations.
Qualified applicants will be students who:
- Current graduate student in Education, Engineering, Communications, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Political Science, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in public engagement, curriculum development, teaching, or outreach programming.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple, concurrent projects.
- Excellent verbal and written communication; comfortable speaking with diverse groups.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage peer collaborators and student teams.
- Strong interest in renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental education.
- Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to operate a 20-foot trailer (training provided).
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
- Preference for students with flexible schedules, availability in 3-4 hour blocks for STEM Truck activities. This role regularly involves travel, including frequent drives from Fort Collins to the Longmont or greater Denver area, as part of community outreach and engagement efforts.
- Able to participate in various 2-hour student ambassador orientation and training sessions.
- Experience in curriculum development or teaching is a plus but not required (training provided).
Candidates selected as finalists will be asked to provide references, which will be contacted as part of the final selection process.
Start Date: Aug 1, 2025
Available Openings: 1
Hourly Rate: $18.00
Hours: 10-20 hours per week, open to more hours during the summer
Work study students and non-work study student are welcome to apply.
Colorado State University may conduct background checks on final candidates.
Employee benefit information can be found on HR's website.