Volunteer with Us

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

School Year Opportunities

STEM Education Mentor – Elementary Math in Boulder:

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 afterschool program aimed at making kids feel more positive about math.

• Perks: Build great relationships with elementary learners, strengthen your communication and leadership skills, and an opportunity to make an impact in the local community at area high-needs, bilingual schools.
• Commitment: Once-per-week, typically Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday; 8-9 weeks per semester.
• Time: 2:15-4:45pm, including travel.
• A STEM Education Mentor Leadership Board is assembled each school year (Note: The application for the 2025-2026 Leadership Board has closed.). If you have been a mentor in the past, check back in the spring for more information about leadership opportunities.

  Learn More     STEM Education Mentor Program

Interested in joining the mentors?

  Click Here to Express Interest

Applicants with Work-Study are invited to apply to receive pay. Email timothy.ogino@colorado.edu if this applies to you. 

STEM Education Mentor – Elementary Math and STEM in Thornton:

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

• Perks: 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.
• Commitment: 1 to 3 times per week; 12 weeks per semester, typically Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. Ideally you would commit to the full school year, as that allows you to get to know the kids well, but please indicate if you are interested either way.
• Time: 2:15-5:45pm, including travel.
• Note: This site will require travel by car or carpool. Pay is available as an option to all STEM Launch mentors.

Interested in becoming an STEM Education Mentor at STEM Launch in Thornton? Share your information via the STEM Education Mentor Interest Form (Thornton). 

STEM Education Mentor – Senior Capstone Support at Northglenn High School:

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 CU student.

• Perks: 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: Once per week; approximately 12 weeks per semester, typically Fridays.
• Time: Morning or afternoon (times TBD).
• Note: This site will require travel by car or carpool. 

Volunteering at One-Off Events:

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 will reach out to see if you are interested on a case-by-case basis. Visit this link to be added to a list-serve and notified via email as opportunities come available.

Classroom Program Instructor (limited to Graduate students):

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

High School STEM Crew:

STEM Crew hiring has concluded for the summer 2025 season. Please check back next spring for summer 2026 volunteer opportunities. 

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, demonstrating 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
• 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 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 hours each day (with a minimum of 20 hours/week), based upon applicant 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.

Expectations for STEM Crew Team Members:

• STEM Crew members are expected to arrive on time and prepared for each shift for which they are scheduled.
• They 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 contact Kaylyn Murphy via email.