Volunteer Spotlight: 1,000 Hours of Service

The Lawrence Hall of Science works with many great people, from our educators and staff to our student workers and interns. We are also lucky to have an excellent group of dedicated volunteers. One of our longest-serving volunteers recently achieved an impressive milestone at the Hall: 1,000 hours of service.

Mary Thompson began volunteering at the Lawrence Hall of Science in February 2012. She has an extensive background in science, having earned her B.S. in physics and M.S. in electrical engineering and computer science. After retiring from the Computer Science Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Mary was looking for something meaningful to spend her time on. Working so close by, she knew that the Hall needed volunteers, so she signed up on our website.

Mary primarily volunteers in the Ingenuity Lab, but in 1,000+ hours she has done it all at the Hall. Our volunteers can work with a variety of programs, from exhibits and activities to our Planetarium and Science On a Sphere®. Mary’s favorite programs to facilitate are our hands-on engineering activities.

“I like not having to lecture to the kids,” says Mary about these activities. “They get to figure things out by themselves, and it’s really fun to see them succeed.”

Mary is one of our most dedicated volunteers, being the first to reach the 1,000-hour milestone. When asked what made her stick around for so long volunteering at the Hall, Mary said that she does it to help students, especially girls, develop an interest in science, both as a way of thinking and problem solving and as a potential career.

“And, of course, because it’s fun!”

Thanks to Mary—and to all of our volunteers—for everything they do for the Hall!