We have many different Museum Teams that need support from Volunteers! Check out the opportunities below and click on your desired Museum Team to learn more.
Currently, these teams have the most need for Volunteers:
These teams are at capacity, and if you apply solely for them, there is an extended waiting period:
Don’t let this discourage you! Spots will open, so please check back in later or reach out. We greatly depend on the generosity of our Volunteers to provide our guests with a world-class Museum to enjoy. Hope to see you soon!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to volunteer@lifeandscience.org
Our Summer Camp program welcomes Youth Volunteers, ages 14-17 to support the informal science education led by Camp Staff. Camp Volunteers prepare the classroom for the day, help the Camp Educator and Camp Counselor with classroom management and work directly with the kids on a wide variety of experiments, projects, and activities. Volunteers help provide a fun and safe environment while assisting campers in their exploration of science!
Camp Schedule for 2025:
Camps run May 26 - August 22 at the Museum in Durham. We will also offer camp at the Montessori Community School of Chapel Hill from June 23 – August 8. Volunteers must work 7:45am – 3:30 pm each camp day. Volunteers attending school on a traditional calendar must be able to work two weeks of camp.
Requirements
Be at least 14 years old by May 26, 2025
Have experience working with young children and in positions of responsibility
Have demonstrated the ability to work as part of a team
Have an interest in science
All application materials must be submitted online by April 1, 2025 by midnight
How to Apply:
If you are interested in joining our Summer Camp Youth Volunteer Program, you must complete the application linked below. If this is your first time applying, you are required to submit two (2) Teacher/Mentor Recommendations using a form that will be given to you when the application is submitted. Returning volunteers do not need to submit Teacher/Mentor Recommendations. You will also receive an availability form where you can choose which Camp you would like to volunteer with and what weeks you are available to volunteer. All volunteers who apply must complete their Availability Form to be considered. All application materials must be submitted online by April 1, 2025 at midnight.
Selection Process:
After reviewing completed applications, new candidates will be scheduled to interview at the Museum of Life and Science. Volunteer interviews will occur at the Museum with the Volunteer Coordinator and the volunteer applicant. Final decisions will be finished late April. We have limited spots available, so unfortunately, not every applicant will be chosen. Returning volunteers will be given priority. All selected to join our program must attend Summer Camp Youth Volunteer Orientation on May 3rd, 2025.
Do you love gardening and the outdoors? The Outdoor Learning Environments team enhances the sustainability and educational impact of our outdoor spaces while providing volunteers with valuable learning experiences and community engagement opportunities. Volunteers assist with planting, watering, weeding, removing invasive plant species, and other general assistance with the outdoor exhibits.
Requirements:
Volunteers must be 18+ years old
Two 4-hour shifts minimum a month.
All shifts are in the morning from 8am-12pm Fridays and Saturdays only.
Do you have a passion working with animals? Volunteers on the Animal Care Team perform general animal husbandry including raking and shoveling Farmyard stalls and yards, cleaning animal habitats, cleaning/organizing support spaces, animal kitchen work, and general department assistance.
Time requirements: Two 4-hour shifts per month for at least 6 months. All shifts are in the morning, from 8am – 12pm. There are no afternoon shifts available. The Animal Care Team cannot take seasonal volunteers.
The Animal Care Team accepts Youth Volunteers (ages 14+) - spaces are limited.
Do you love a good party? Volunteers who are 21+ of age assist with our AfterHours Events! These are popular adult-only evening events that run throughout the year. Volunteers assist with fun and sciencey activities! Love making buttons and helping guest discover the science behind the musical wine glasses? This is an opportunity for you!
Volunteers must be 21+ years old.
Do you like engaging people in educational experiences? Our mission is to nurture critical thinking and reasoning skills in every learner who enters our spaces. We believe in fostering a learner-driven and impactful experience using hands-on exploration, facilitated dialogue, and inquiry-based learning. Volunteers help by leading and supporting these programs for our learners of all ages!
Additional Requirements: All who are interested must attend an additional Catalyst Training.
Catalyst program accepts Youth Volunteers 16+ years old.
Do you love organizing? Our volunteers assemble / disassemble kits from classes and camps, sort materials, sort LEGOS from LEGO Robotics Program, file curriculum materials, maintain our Library, and prep materials for camps and classes.
Volunteers must be over the age of 18.
Do you want to help maintain our exciting exhibits? Volunteers assist in cleaning, vacuuming, and washing various exhibit components, and other general assistance.
Do you have a trade skill to share? Familiarity with carpentry, woodworking, metal working equipment, and/or computers; understanding of electricity, mechanical aptitude, inquisitive attitude, and good visualization skills is a plus! We are always looking to create new experiences!
Time Commitment: Two 4-hour shifts per month any day of the week.
Volunteers must be 18+ years old.
Do you love interacting with people? Our Volunteers enthusiastically interact with visitors as they arrive or leave the Museum, assist and direct large groups as they check in, roam campus and be available to assist guests with directions, questions, etc.
Volunteers must be 18+ years old.
Do you like to be a part of family friendly programming? Our Volunteers assist with various museum functions, such as classes, informational sessions, new exhibit previews/openings, large school groups, and special themed events, by providing help with set-up, engaging visitors with activities, tear-down, providing information/directions, and various miscellaneous tasks.
Volunteers must be 18+ years old.
Do you like party planning? Birthday Parties is looking for volunteers to help set up for our busy party weekends! Volunteers prep materials and activities for party participants, including making space rocks and dino eggs! If you are interested in party planning, volunteers are accepted 2pm – 5pm every Friday.
Do you like working with creepy crawly critters? Or perhaps, do you have a green thumb? Our state of the art Butterfly House has multiple volunteer opportunities!
Entomology Volunteer: Cleaning exhibit tanks, feed invertebrates, insect care. Show off our critters to visitors, answer questions (Additional training required)
Conservatory Volunteer: Engage with visitors, answer questions, make sure guests are complying with USDA regulations.
Horticulture Volunteer: Prepare the Conservatory for opening by watering the plants in the conservatory and cleanup of debris. Help with outside weeding, watering, mulching, etc.
Butterfly House accepts Youth Volunteers (ages 14+) - spaces are limited.
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YCS Advisory Board FY25 | 2 | 5/20/2025 | 5/27/2025 | |
