Volunteer

Give the gift of your time!

Volunteers at Discovery Lab impact lives by igniting curiosity and facilitating exploration with children and their families. Volunteers enhance the work already happening in the Museum, bring new ideas to the table, and connect us to the community. Our volunteers are students, teachers, retirees, stay-at-home parents, and professionals all united in support of the Museum’s mission.

Docent: Engage with children and caregivers on the Museum floor » Facilitate meaningful play with exhibits

Workshop/Lab Assistant: Facilitates visitor activities in the WorkShop, Science Lab, and Little Lab, orienting students and teachers to the facility and coordinating their movement throughout their visit. Volunteer will become fluent with the activities, experiments, and facilitated experiences to scaffold the visitor's learning. This includes resupplying materials, providing tools and resetting the area and learning the fundamentals of inquiry learning and STEAM concepts for each area as it changes throughout the year.

Guest Attendant: Facilitates visitor experiences throughout the Museum space, moving throughout common areas (Museum entrance, mezzanine, and elevator bays) to help direct visitors to exhibit hall, elevators, stairways, ramp, entrances/exits, and/or guest services and respond to visitors' questions or concerns.

Education Center Assistant: Support education staff in the WorkShop, Science Lab, and exhibit hall. Facilitate inquiry-based learning for students Pre-K through 6th grade.

Field Trip Chaperone: Along with their teacher, lead a group of students as they visit the Museum.

Museum Pit Crew: Assists with closing down the Museum at the end of the day, resetting exhibits, tidying up exhibit areas, restocking classroom kits, etc. Volunteer assists exhibit and education teams in preparing Museum and/or classrooms for the following day. Tunnel Taping: (a great opportunity for groups!) Our signature tunnels/slides are made from packing tape and require regular maintenance and retaping. This is done after-hours with groups of 8-14 adults.

Administrative and Clerical Support: Many departments in the Museum need temporary and long-term volunteer assistance with data entry, filing, mailing, shredding, and other behind-the-scenes tasks. Special Event Staff: Assist with Museum events, including Cookies (and Science) with Santa, Noon Year's Eve, and the Discovery Lab annual gala. Tasks include guest check-in, food and beverage services, and clean-up.

Special Event Volunteers: Assist with set up and execution of special events like Cookies and Science with Santa, Noon Year’s Eve, and the Discovery Lab annual gala.

Behind-the-Scenes Assistants: Prepare materials and exhibits, clean, or restock classroom kits.

Tunnel Taping Groups (8-14 People) Construct new tunnels from packing tape for our iconic network of tape tunnels.

Volunteer With Us

 

  • Individuals: Any adult or teenager (age 14 and older) may apply to volunteer with the Museum. Volunteers fill various roles such as greeting or interacting with visitors, assisting in classrooms and high-facilitation areas, working behind the scenes on exhibits or special projects, or assisting with field trips. 
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  • Groups: College, high school, social, corporate, and other nonprofit groups are all welcome. The primary contact will be established for the group. It’s the group leader’s responsibility to work with the volunteer coordinator to arrange for the group’s arrival at the Museum for the scheduled volunteer assignment. Group volunteers are primarily project and special-event based. This is a perfect program for groups that want to volunteer their time together. Group members must be at least 14 years old. 

  • *All volunteers 18 years of age or older must pass an initial screening and background check. 

Opportunities are available seven days a week in the Museum and at Museum events in the community, and no prior experience is necessary. Volunteer shifts are flexible and can be regular and/or occasional. We also have opportunities for groups.
  • Ongoing: Volunteer for regular shifts (weekly, every other week, or monthly) on a long-term basis. Shifts may change as needed, but the volunteer expects to fulfill their duties for an extended period. 
  • Short-Term: Perfect for partial year residents, students, and those with limited availability – volunteer for regularly scheduled shifts for shorter periods. 
  • Special Events: Volunteer for special Museum events, including holiday events, internal and external events. Volunteers of any commitment level may sign up to volunteer at special events in addition to their regularly scheduled shifts. 
  • Internships: If you are a college student looking for an internship to learn and grow, Discovery Lab is the perfect place. 

Discovery Lab Volunteer t-shirt after 10 service hours

10% off at Gizmos gift shop on the day of your volunteer shift

Four guest passes for every 40 service hours

Complimentary one-year Family Membership (utilized by the volunteer of gifted) after 100 service hours

Invitations to volunteer recognition events

  • Anniversary recognition of each year of active service