9 STEM Volunteering Opportunities for High School Students
If you’re an ambitious high school student looking to apply to the top universities in the U.S., chances are that you’ve considered volunteering. Volunteering can be a gratifying experience that allows you to give back to your community and gain invaluable real-world experience in your field of choice!
Not only does volunteering help you engage with meaningful projects which will allow you to apply your technical skills in practical situations, but it also enhances your college application by showcasing your potential as a future changemaker!
In this article, we will explore 10 STEM volunteering opportunities specifically tailored for high school students. The opportunities range from biology to coding and AI, and even mathematics or aerospace engineering - there’s something for everyone!
1. Junior Volunteer Program at Massachusetts General Hospital
The Junior Volunteer Program at Massachusetts General Hospital invites 16 and 17-year-olds from the Greater Boston area to apply. Prior volunteer experience is optional.
You engage in diverse activities such as helping patients and families navigate the hospital, assisting with discharges, providing updates in the Family Waiting Area, participating in pet therapy visits, serving lunches, delivering reading materials, and offering office support. This program provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a healthcare setting while gaining valuable experience and skills.
Location: Boston
Time Commitment: Volunteers are expected to come in once a week on weekdays
2. High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH)
High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) is a Project-Based Learning program for grades 9-12 students. It aims to inspire and empower students by teaching 21st-century skills through designing and fabricating products for NASA. The program seeks to expand nationwide and needs volunteer mentors with expertise in mathematics, space science, or technology to guide students.
Volunteers can mentor at local schools, become HUNCH Teachers, or attend Design Reviews. This initiative offers a unique chance to contribute to STEM education and help students launch their careers by working on real-world projects for NASA.
Location: NASA’s HUNCH is spread out throughout the United States.
Time Commitment: Depends on the work chosen.
3. National Inventors Hall of Fame’s STEM Leadership Intern Summer Program
The Leadership Intern Program at the National Inventors Hall of Fame connects high school students in grades 10-12 with young learners through Camp Invention. As a leadership intern, you’ll guide participants in exploring STEM concepts, fostering creativity, and developing an innovative mindset.
This role offers hands-on experience with educators and children, enhancing communication and leadership skills. You'll earn up to 40 volunteer hours, benefiting graduation and college applications. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a letter of recognition from the USPTO, making it a valuable addition to your resume.
Location: Volunteer opportunities are available at Camp Invention locations nationwide
Time Commitment: The program dates and hours vary by location
4. High School Aerospace Scholars Program with NASA
High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) offers Texas juniors an immersive STEM experience with NASA. This year-long program starts in the fall with a four-month online learning curriculum covering space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics.
The highest-achieving students are invited to a five-day gamified summer experience, Moonshot, where they work in teams on Artemis-themed missions to the Moon and Mars, mentored by NASA scientists and engineers. Top teams are invited to a two-day residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Participants earn science elective credits and may qualify for scholarships and internships. Students must be U.S. citizens, Texas residents, and nominated by a state legislator to be eligible.
Location: Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX and Online Experience
Time Commitment: Year-long starting from August
5. Volunteer as a “Teaching Assistant” with Girls Who Code Club
Girls Who Code is an organization dedicated to empowering high school girls to pursue education in computer science. Apart from their summer programs, they also collaborate with school systems, library networks, and after-school programs to establish clubs in communities across the country. Clubs can meet after school, on weekends, or during the summer. It can be held in person or online, and you may volunteer as a high school student.
If you are interested in coding, you can always volunteer as a teaching assistant for any Girls Who Code clubs where you’ll impart your coding knowledge to middle school students. If there is no club near you, take this opportunity to start one on your own by applying directly on their website!
Location: One of the Girls Who Code clubs or your high school
Time Commitment: Flexible and depends on you
6. Project LEDO
Project LEDO provides access to STEM programs for children from marginalized communities. Based in Portland, Oregon, they offer hands-on learning experiences regardless of socio-economic status. They require volunteers to provide their time and support for the organization.
Some options for volunteers are mentoring kids aged 6-10 in LEGO robotics competitions, helping create icons, web assets, and flyers using Adobe tools or even planning events and workshops as a program coordinator!
Location: Portland, Oregon
Time Commitment: Defers from position to position
7. Volunteer with AI for Oceans
Code.org invites volunteers to support their mission of providing computer science education to all K-12 students, with a focus on underrepresented groups like young women. Volunteers can teach the Hour of Code, be guest speakers, or commit year-round.
The Hour of Code is a free-of-cost introduction to computer science that includes engaging activities and videos for learners of all skill levels. By volunteering with Hour of Code, you will help teach the basics of computer science to K-12 students across the country!
The organization values diversity in volunteers and encourages professionals and students from all backgrounds to participate. Additionally, you can volunteer to assist in translating tutorials into multiple languages and help expand access globally.
Location: Multiple locations available along with remote work
Time Commitment: Flexible and depends on the work you pick
8. Volunteer as Experts with Science Buddies
Science Buddies seeks high school science enthusiasts to volunteer as experts in their online Ask an Expert Forum. This opportunity not only earns community service credit but also enhances college applications, showcasing leadership and real-world application of science knowledge.
Volunteers engage for 1/2 to 1 hour weekly, with potential for long-term leadership roles. They collaborate with top professionals from prestigious institutions, including MIT and Stanford, gaining invaluable mentorship. Volunteers assist investigators and receive guidance on their independent research, college, and career inquiries. Join a diverse team of scientists and engineers, contributing to science education and exploration.
Location: Online
Time Commitment: Approximately 1/2 hour to 1 hour per week
9. The Adamson Lab - Stanford Medicine
Those who are enthusiastic about health sciences can choose to volunteer at the Adamson Lab. Volunteers help with essential duties, including reviewing papers and conducting searches of the scientific literature, when paired with a mentor, who is usually a postdoc or research assistant. Get practical knowledge in the fields of neuroscience, ergonomics, psychology, and disability and rehabilitation science.
In addition, volunteers will put together a poster based on the research they participated in, have an opportunity to be mentioned in research papers, and receive college and other recommendations. Such an opportunity contributes to necessary research while offering insight into a variety of health science topics.
Location: Adamson Lab at the Stanford School of Medicine
Time Commitment: 8 weeks
Excerpt - If you’re an ambitious high school student interested in STEM and looking to build a portfolio, you might want to consider volunteering opportunities. To help you get started, we have compiled 10 STEM volunteering opportunities for high school students!
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Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Excerpt - In this article, we will explore 9 STEM volunteering opportunities specifically tailored for high school students. The opportunities range from biology to coding and AI, and even mathematics or aerospace engineering - there’s something for everyone!
Image Source - Girls Who Code Logo