Teen
Volunteers

Share your enthusiasm for science and spark the imagination of visiting families and schoolchildren.

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We are in the process of evaluating and re-designing our volunteer program. Because of that we have made the difficult decision to not recruit for a 2025 cohort of Youth Volunteers. See below to stay in touch and find other opportunities in the area.

We’re Re-imagining Our Program

At The Lawrence we pride ourselves on being an adaptable organization that changes and evolves as the scientific and educational landscape shifts over the years. After over a decade, we have decided it was time to evaluate and modify our Youth Volunteer program to best fit the needs of our volunteers and learning communities. We have made the difficult decision to pause our recruiting efforts and we will not be having a Summer 2025 new cohort of youth volunteers. During this time we will be preparing to launch a re-imagined Youth Volunteer program in 2026.

In the meantime, there are many awesome organizations in and around the Bay Area offering a variety of both year-round and Summer youth programs including volunteer opportunities, youth camps and workshops (both free and paid), leadership development programs, and more! . To help you get started, we compiled a list of organizations and some helpful links below.

Please note: at the time we are posting this (Dec 2024), some applications are open, and some are still to come. As time goes by, some of the opportunities listed below may no longer be available

OrganizationLocation
The East Bay Academy for Young Scientists (EBAYS) at the Lawrence Hall of ScienceBerkeley
Teen Research programs at the Lawrence Hall of Science Berkeley
Camp counselor volunteer opportunity with Girls In Engineering Berkeley
High School Programs at Berkeley Lab (UC Berkeley)Berkeley
Educational and Internship programs at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Menlo Park
Internships at the Computer History MuseumMountain View
Animal Care Internship at Oakland Zoo Oakland
Teen Volunteer Program at Chabot Space and Science CenterOakland
Youth Programs at The CrucibleOakland
Multiple Opportunities at The Watershed ProjectRichmond
Sustainable Youth Programs at Earth TeamsRichmond
Academy Naturalist Teen Volunteer at California Academy of Sciences San Francisco
Free Classes and Workshops at Mission BitSan Francisco
Leadership development program: Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL) San Francisco
Paid Internship (BEETS) by Community GrowsSan Francisco
Teen Volunteers at San Francisco Zoo and GardensSan Francisco
Volunteer Program at the Exploratorium (15+)San Francisco
Youth Leadership Corps at Outward Bound CaliforniaSan Francisco based, expeditions around California
High School Student Volunteer at The Tech InteractiveSan Jose
Aviary Aide & Wildlife Watcher at CuriOdissey (16+)San Mateo
Conservation Council atSonoma Land TrustSanta Rosa
Teen Nat Program at Pepperwood PreserveSanta Rosa
Youth Crew at The Marine Mammal Center Sausalito
Teen Programs at Lindsay Wildlife Experience Walnut Creek

We hope you have a wonderful summer, and check back in the future!

Why Volunteer?

Learn about what it is like to be a Teen Volunteer at The Lawrence Hall of Science.

Teen Volunteers

 Apply before March 4th, 2023!

About Our
Program

The Lawrence Hall of Science offers a fun, dynamic volunteer program for teens. All teens who wish to participate are required to apply to the program by January 16, 2024. Interested youths will have the opportunity to volunteer in various roles during the summer and throughout the year. We recruit youths once a year for these programs: 

Skills & Experiences Youth Gain

Volunteering at The Lawrence not only is a great way to fulfill community service requirements, but it also provides teens with the opportunity to develop job skills.

These include

  • Public speaking and customer service
  • Self-confidence and leadership
  • Adaptability and flexibility to manage multiple assignments under changing conditions
  • Learning ways to communicate science to the public
  • Building interpersonal relationships
  • Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work

At The Lawrence, volunteers find a safe way and congenial place to socialize with other youths, while they enjoy the benefits of experiencing a work-related environment with professional staff, UC Berkeley college students, and teens from all around the Bay Area.

Requirements

  • Entering 9th grade or above and must be at least 14 years old or above by June 1 of 2024
  • Commit to a minimum of 21 hours during the summer for two 3.5-hours each shift each month, volunteering in all areas of the museum
  •  Able to continue volunteering throughout the school year for a minimum of two 3-hour shifts per month, volunteering in a specific program of the teen’s choice
  • Volunteer weekdays and/or weekends during the summer and weekends beyond the summer (Shifts are available in the morning and/or afternoons and on certain holidays)
  • Able to attend three mandatory onboarding sessions
  • Able to leave the site on their own at the end of the shift (Applicant should be authorized by guardian for self-release)
  • Able to transport themselves to the site since we do not offer transportation 
  • Show an interest in topics related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM subjects)
  • Commit to work with our visitors, most of whom are families with children
  • Complete all forms required in a timely manner, and comply with volunteer processes described in the Teen Volunteer Handbook (handbook and forms to be handed out during orientation)

Next Steps

  • Teens entering 9th grade or 14 years old or above, who are not current Lawrence Hall of Science volunteers, may apply now.
  • Apply before the deadline. We only have 80 spaces available!
  • Check your email inbox. Candidates will be notified by email, using the address indicated on their application.
  • Save the date for the mandatory onboarding sessions (no exceptions will be made).
  • Teens will be required to complete and submit hard copies of all forms provided to them during the orientation. No documents will be accepted after the deadline.

2024 Timeline
for New Teen Volunteers

General Teen Recruitment opensDecember  7, 2024. Apply online via Teen Volunteer Application 2024.
General Teen Recruitment closesJanuary 16, 2024Applications are no longer accepted after January 16, 5:00pm
Notification of Preselection and Invitation for Zoom InterviewFebruary 1, 2024Preselected candidates will be notified by email.
Conducting Zoom InterviewsMarch 12 – March 28, 202415 minute interviews with accepted candidates. See times.
Notification of AcceptanceMarch 30, 2024Accepted applicants will receive a message and will have 2 days to sign up for their three (3) mandatory onboarding sessions.
Onboarding Sessions for Accepted CandidatesApril Accepted candidates will have to attend in person one of each of the listed sessions and pre-register in advance. See sessions and times.
Deadline for Submitting All Onboarding FormsApril 27, 2024All forms given during the first onboarding session must be fully completed with signatures. See submission info.
Summer Program and Shifts BeginJune 3-September 4, 2024Dates are approximate and depend on program requirements.

Zoom Interview Times

Accepted applicants will receive a link and will have 2 days to complete their Volgistics profile online and sign-up for a Zoom interview using the Volgistics platform.

Days and times available for Zoom interviews are

  • Tuesday-Friday between 3:30 pm and 4:45pm 
  • Saturdays between 11:00 am and 1:00pm & 2:15pm and 4:00pm
  • Sundays between 11:00 am and 1:00pm

Onboarding Sessions

Onboarding Session #1Introduction to The Lawrencein-personOne date is mandatory: Select April 6 or April 13, 2024 at 11:00-12:30 or 2:30-4:00 pm.
Onboarding Session #2Customer Service Basic Skillsin-personOne date is mandatory: Select April 20 or April 21, 2024 at 11:00-12:30 or 2:30-4:00 pm
Onboarding Session #3General Facilitation Strategiesin-personOne date is mandatory: Select April 27 or April 28, 2024 at 11:00-12:30 or 2:30-4:00 pm.

Onboarding Form Submissions

  • Submit forms in person to room 209/B level or mailed to the Lawrence Hall of Science Volunteer Program, Verónica Urdaneta