Momentum Lead Course Assistant Application

Thank you for your interest in applying as the Momentum 2026 Lead 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.

Lead Course Assistant Stipend: $2,000

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. The Lead Course Assistants 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 OACES 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 2026 challenges will require LCAs to have beginner software knowledge in:

• Aero Astro, python, other systems (to be shared in interviews)

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 Blue Origin 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 2025 (approx. 10 hours total).
• To attend two 1 hour planning meetings in November/December 2025.
• Potentially attend required training session(s) based on familiarity and prior knowledge on software in November/December 2025.
• The expected total number of hours is: 92, detailed below:
  • Approximately 18 hours per week, 52 hours total, during IAP (January 5-29, 2026)
  • 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).