Momentum Course Assistant Application

Thank you for your interest in applying as a Momentum 2026 Course Assistant!
 

Momentum 2026 runs January 5-29, 2026.

Application closes:  October 24, 2025 but admissions/offers are given on a rolling basis once applications are open.

Course Assistant Stipend: $1,500

Start date: November 10, 2025.

 

To learn more about Momentum from the student participant perspective, visit our website.

This year, we are offering two challenges for Momentum students sponsored by Blue Origin. Course Assistants will work on one of the challenges.

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

 

Below is a summary of CA 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:

  • 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 2025 challenges will require CAs to have beginner software knowledge in:

  •  AeroAstro, python, programs (more information to come in interviews)

Minimum Prerequisite Coursework:

  • Must be a Junior, Senior or Graduate student
  • 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
    • 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

Preferred qualifications/experiences for the Blue Origin challenges:

  • Current MIT junior, senior or graduate student
  • 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)
  • Programming experience
  • Algorithm development

Anticipated workload:

  • To attend two 1 hour planning meetings in November/December 2025.
  • Potentially attend required training session(s) based on familiarity and prior knowledge of software in November/December 2025.
  • Approximately 16 hours per week, 48 hours total from January 5th-29th, 2026.
  • The expected total number of hours is: 88
  • Up to 5 hours for debriefing in February 2026

Momentum 2026 Blue Origin Challenges 

 

Blue Origin Challenge Statements:

Challenge 1 - From the Moon to Mars: What minimal set of equipment and its associated mass would be required to set up a sustaining colony of humans on Mars from 2075 to 2125?

Challenge 2 - Satellite Sensor: Develop a low-cost, low-mass 1.5-meter deployment boom for a small satellite (smallsat) sensor suite that will be used on an upcoming Blue Origin lunar prospecting mission.


 

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).

 

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