Momentum Lead Course Assistant Application | MIT Office of Minority Education

Thank you for your interest in applying as as the Momentum 2025 Lead Course Assistant!

Momentum 2025 runs January 6 - 31, 2025.

Application closes: October 30, 2024

Lead Course Assistant Stipend: $2,116

Start date: November 12, 2024

To learn more about Momentum from the student participant perspective, visit our website or watch a recap video.

This year, we are offering two challenges for Momentum students sponsored by Lincoln Laboratory. The Lead Course Assistant will work on both of the challenges, and oversee program elements.

Please review the preferred qualifications listed below for the respective projects.

Below is a summary of LCA duties and preferred qualifications.

No single candidate will likely possess all the qualifications listed below, and we are very open to transferrable experiences. If you feel as though you would be a good match, please apply!

Duties include:

Serve as main point of contact for the Course Assistant team.
Assist OME Staff in the development of the Momentum course (e.g., generate materials lists, support the faculty instructor and course personnel with lecture creation and/or delivery)
Take attendance during Momentum lectures, design sessions, and supplemental workshops.
Lead supplemental, skill-based workshops for students as needed (e.g., Introduction to Python).
Administer lecture surveys.
Create class name cards.
Maintain regular required meetings with a matched team to provide guidance and feedback.
Hold open Office Hours (approx. 4 hours per week).
Contribute written and oral feedback to all teams as requested.
Develop and implement an icebreaker activity for students during the start of Momentum.
Design the Momentum Competition program booklet.

Momentum 2024 challenges will require LCAs to have beginner software knowledge in:

3D Modelling software, Python, circuitry, embedded processors & systems

Minimum Prerequisite Coursework:

Must be completed before IAP or receive credit from ASE
- 6.0001 and 6.0002 Programming Skills
- 18.01 Calculus I
- 18.02 or 18.022 Calculus II
- 18.03 or 2.087 Differential Equations
- 18.06 Linear Algebra
- Physics I (any of the following: 8.01, 8.011, 8.012, 8.01L)
- Physics II (any of the following: 8.02, 8.021, 8.022)

Computer/ Hardware needs:

None

Required qualifications:

Current MIT senior or graduate student
Proficient in Python

Preferred qualifications/experiences for the Lincoln Laboratory challenges:

Interest and/or previous direct experience in teaching, coaching, and mentoring undergraduates (student participants)
Commitment to detail
Project management skills, including time and task organization
Communication skills (ability to present complex ideas to an audience with different perspectives)
Algorithm development

Anticipated workload:

To assist with course development as needed, November through December 2024 (approx. 10 hours total).
To attend two 1 hour planning meetings in November/December 2024.
Potentially attend required training session(s) based on familiarity and prior knowledge on software in November/December 2024.
The expected total number of hours is: 92, detailed below:
- Approximately 18 hours per week, 52 hours total, during IAP (January 6-31, 2024)
- Up to 5 hours for debriefing in February 2025

Momentum 2025 Lincoln Laboratory Challenges

Lincoln Laboratory Challenge Statement: In cross-disciplinary teams, explore advanced technologies that address large scale disasters such as wildfires and environmental challenges such as tracking/monitoring of endangered right whales.

Whale Mission: Design a monitoring and early warning system to detect and report locations of North Atlantic right whales to be deployed near shipping lanes where right whales are commonly found.

Wildfire Mission: Investigate use of technology to mitigate wildfires, in particular how to integrate information from various sensing platforms to track and monitor wildfires, as well as potential ideas for enhancing protective gear for first responders.

Interviews for qualified candidates will be held on a rolling basis.

Please direct any questions to momentum [at] mit.edu (momentum[at]mit[dot]edu).