Learn More About Urban Coders Guild
Who are they?
Urban Coders Guild is a nonprofit organization committed to expanding access to technology education for underrepresented youth. We provide hands-on, project-based learning experiences in game development, web development, cybersecurity, and mobile app development, equipping students with the skills and confidence to pursue careers in tech.
What projects might I work on?
Urban Coders Guild seeks a Summer Curricula Research & Development Intern to support the design, research, and development of instructional materials for our core technology programs. This role is ideal for students or early-career professionals passionate about STEM education, curriculum design, and workforce development.
The intern will collaborate with instructors and program coordinators to create industry-aligned curricula that meet state educational standards while remaining engaging, scalable, and accessible for middle and high school students. This is an opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization and make a tangible impact on the future of tech education.
What will working on projects look like?
The MIT intern’s key responsibilities will include:
- Curriculum Development:
- Design project-based learning modules for game development, web development, cybersecurity, and mobile app development.
- Develop lesson plans, coding projects, instructional resources, and assessments that align with Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science, CSTA Standards, and ISTE Standards.
- Ensure content is engaging, culturally relevant, and accessible for diverse learners.
- Industry & Workforce Alignment:
- Integrate industry best practices and real-world applications into curriculum materials.
- Research industry-recognized certifications (e.g., ISC2 for cybersecurity, Unity for game development, Swift for iOS development) and incorporate relevant skills into lesson plans.
- Create career exploration resources, including employer case studies, technical interview prep, and real-world coding challenges.
- Program Implementation & Evaluation:
- Develop a structured implementation guide to support instructors, mentors, and peer educators in delivering the curriculum.
- Assist in testing curriculum materials during summer programs and refine content based on instructor feedback and student engagement.
- Research and recommend educational tools, platforms, and coding resources to enhance program effectiveness.
- Design assessment tools to measure student learning outcomes and program impact.
What could I expect to learn from this experience?
This internship offers hands-on experience in curriculum design, STEM education, and workforce development, providing an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in tech education. Interns will work on a project that directly impacts the future of underrepresented students in STEM while gaining valuable professional experience in instructional design and research.
What skills are they looking for in a strong candidate?
The required qualifications for this position are:
- Current undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Education, Instructional Design, STEM, or a related field.
- Experience or coursework in game development, web development, cybersecurity, or mobile app development.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate educational methodologies and tools.
- Strong technical writing, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for beginner learners.
- Passion for equity in tech education and expanding opportunities for underrepresented students.
The preferred, but not required, qualification for this position are:
- Familiarity with Oklahoma state computer science standards, CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards, and ISTE Standards
