CU Science Discovery provides a number of volunteer opportunities听for people interested in working in K-12 STEM education outreach.

School Year Opportunities鈥�

STEM Mentors - Elementary Math (Boulder):听

Facilitate a play-based elementary math afterschool program in local Boulder schools! Work with a team of CU students to lead a once-a-week after-school program aimed at making kids feel more positive about math.

  • Perks:听Build great relationships with elementary learners, strengthen your communication and leadership skills, and an opportunity to make an impact in the local community at some high-needs and bilingual schools.
  • Commitment:听Once-per-week, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday;听8-9 weeks.
  • Time:听2:15-4:45pm, including travel.

Applicants with Work-Study are invited to apply via Handshake:

Note: Search for "Science Discovery."

No Work-Study?听

STEM Mentors - Elementary Math and STEM (Thornton):听

Alongside high school volunteers, support math enrichment tutoring for young learners at STEM Launch, followed by facilitating engaging STEM activities (e.g.听escape room puzzles, robotics, physics, and more).

  • Perks:听Build great relationships with elementary learners, strengthen your communication and leadership skills, and an opportunity to make an impact in a high-needs community with many English language learners.听
  • Commitment:听1 to 3 times per week;听12 weeks per semester,听typically Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday. Ideally you would commit to the full-year, as that allows you to get to know the kids well, but please indicate if you are interested either way.听
  • Time:听2:15-5:45pm, including travel.听
  • Note: This site will require travel by car or carpool. Pay is available as an option to all mentors.

Interested in becoming an Elementary Math STEM Mentor in Thornton? Share your information via the .听听

STEM Mentors - Northglenn High School STEM (Northglenn):听

Support teams of high school seniors in their engineering capstone classes as they make authentic projects for the community. Give advice, ask questions, and share about your experience as a student at CU.

  • Perks:听Build great relationships with high school students, strengthen your communication and leadership skills, and be a mentor to seniors who are about to embark on college.
  • Commitment:听Once听per week;听approximately 12 weeks per semester,听typically Fridays.
  • Time:听Morning or Afternoon (times TBD).
  • Note: This site will require travel by car or carpool.听

STEM Mentors - Casey Middle School, STEM Student Support (Boulder):

Visit Casey Middle School in Boulder to work with students one-on-one or in small groups on their STEM assignments or support afterschool homework help.

  • Perks:听Build great relationships with middle school students and support local learners.
  • Commitment:听1-2 times per week; approximately听10 weeks per semester.
  • Time:听TBD;听depends听on Casey Middle School class schedule.

Volunteering at One-Off Events:听

Science Discovery often has opportunities arise to support K-12 STEM work in the community at one-off events. These come up at random times throughout the year and Science Discovery staff听will reach out to see if you are interested on a case-by-case basis. Completion of听听means that you will be added to a list-serve and notified via email as听opportunities听come available.听

Classroom Program Instructor (limited to Graduate students):听

Serve as a STEM instructor for 1-hour Classroom Programs at Colorado elementary schools. Paid;听Scheduled as needed.

Information sessions are scheduled each semester as needed. In the interim, if you have questions regarding the program requirements or application process, contact Tim Ogino via email.

Summer Opportunities

Onboarding has concluded for all summer 2024 STEM Crew members.听

High School STEM Crew:

Science Discovery offers high school students volunteer opportunities to assist with K-8 summer camps. This unpaid volunteer opportunity is designed to prepare students for additional paid opportunities within the Science Discovery organization. Those that perform at a high level,听demonstrating听professionalism and reliability, may be invited to apply for paid opportunities in the future. STEM Crew volunteers gain valuable experience in:

  • Classroom settings working with campers, junior counselors, teaching assistants, instructors and Science Discovery staff听
  • Developing interpersonal, time management and communication skills
  • A work environment that encourages personal and professional growth

STEM Crew team members are selected through a competitive application process.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Applicants must be 14 years of age by May 1听and no older than a senior in high school.
  • STEM Crew team members must commit to scheduled shifts. Shifts will occur Monday-Friday for approximately 7听hours each day (with a minimum of 20 hours/week), based upon applicant听availability.
  • Volunteers are required to attend a 2-3-hour training session (date will be provided upon acceptance to the program). If a volunteer fails to attend the required training for any reason, they will be removed from the program.听

Expectations for STEM Crew Team Members:

  • STEM Crew members are expected to arrive on time and听prepared for each shift for which they are scheduled.
  • They听are required to adhere to the CU Science Discovery dress code, attendance and behavior policies.
  • All cell phones are to be stowed during volunteer hours unless the volunteer task requires use of a cell phone.
  • Volunteer opportunities with CU Science Discovery consists of working with instructors, graduate and undergraduate students, scientists, other teens and children in grades K-8. As such, professionalism is expected at all times.

If you have questions regarding the STEM Crew program requirements, application process or other volunteer opportunities听contact Kaylyn Murphy听via email.