Applied Manufacturing and Technical Program Instructor
MakeHaven is seeking an instructor to lead a cohort of 6-8 high school students in a hands-on summer program focused on fabrication, manufacturing, and technical career exploration. This program introduces students to practical technical skills through real projects and exposure to local industry. Students will work with tools, materials, and fabrication processes while learning how technical work environments operate.
We are looking for someone who enjoys building things, solving problems, and helping others gain confidence working with tools.
Program Dates
Monday, June 29 through August 14 (No Class July 3rd)
Schedule
Monday–Friday
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Fridays are reserved for industry field trips
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Teaching Contractor – Intro to Digital Design & Fabrication
Pay Rate: $25.28/hour
MakeHaven is seeking a reliable teaching contractor to lead a short-term learning program introducing middle school students to digital design and fabrication. This program is run in partnership with Wexler Middle School, part of the New Haven Public Schools, and will introduce students to the basics of digital design through hands-on projects. The instructor will guide students through beginner-friendly tools such as TinkerCAD and Inkscape while helping them build confidence in creating and working with digital files.
Students will complete two projects during the program. One project will be prepared for cutting on the laser cutters, and the other will be used to create a simple screenprinted design. The goal of this section is to introduce students to the fundamentals of digital design and help them understand how digital files can be used to produce physical objects using different fabrication tools.
Classes run from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM on the following dates:
April 30, May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, June 3, 4
Responsibilities include teaching basic design concepts, guiding students through the design process, supporting project creation, and maintaining a safe and engaging classroom environment. The instructor will also prepare materials and ensure equipment is ready for each session.
Requirements include experience with TinkerCAD, Inkscape, or similar beginner-friendly design tools, strong communication skills, and comfort working with middle school students. Dependability and the ability to guide students through hands-on learning are essential. Preferred qualifications include previous teaching experience and familiarity with makerspaces or digital fabrication tools such as laser cutters and screenprinting.
MakeHaven is a nonprofit makerspace in New Haven that empowers people to learn by doing. Our community shares access to tools, training, and creative opportunities across woodworking, metalworking, textiles, electronics, and digital fabrication.
To apply, email a resume and short interest email to work@makehaven.org with the subject line Digital Design Instructor.
Teach a Workshop
MakeHaven is seeking instructors to design and lead workshops about making at MakeHaven. MakeHaven has a large community of people interested in learning about: mechanics, electronics, crafts, art, design, programming, cooking, biology, chemistry, fabrication, metal working and woodworking. For approved workshops MakeHaven will host, help promote the event and handle collection of workshop fees. As a makerspace MakeHaven is a more dynamic environment than a typical classroom and members might be using the space concurrently with a workshop.
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Community Facilitators
MakeHaven’s Community Facilitator program is a work-exchange program that trades time for membership. You work at MakeHaven 4 hours per week and we give you a free membership, which grants access to tools, community, and all the other benefits of being a member.
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Internships
MakeHaven is interested in students 18 and older who want to expand their skill set by working on or leading projects in our community of makers.
Facilitator Support Interns - This intern assists one or more facilitators by being at the space during their hours. They explore the area of work and assist with conducing and organizing events. The Intern also documents activities and blogs about what projects are happening. There is an internship available in: Electronics, Craft, Fabrication and Woodworking. These are unpaid internships with an expectation of 4 hours of work per week.
Community Outreach Intern - The community outreach intern is responsible for getting the word out about MakeHaven. The intern will do email and social media marketing as well as connecting with community groups to identify candidates for MakeHaven scholarship and recruit workshop instructors. Outreach intern is an 8 hour per week position and unpaid.
Shop Intern - The shop intern assists with organizing and upkeep of the tools in the Makerspace. Previous experience with tools and technology a plus. Internship is 8 hours per week and unpaid.
Interns get free membership (including access to all learning tools) as a benefit, and are encouraged to work on projects that inspire them and our community.