Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Share Your Time and Talents!

The Science Museum of Virginia believes in embracing the diversity of our community through every aspect of our organization. The support and commitment of our volunteers is vital to every aspect of the museum, from engaging with guests in the exhibits and labs to providing administrative assistance. For younger volunteers, this can even serve as a stepping stone towards a successful career in STEM.

We welcome anyone who is interested in sharing their experience and knowledge with us, making science more inspiring for our guests.

What are some of the benefits of volunteering with us?

  • Become part of a diverse team of innovative, life-long learners who all play a special part in bringing science to life for guests every day.
  • Gain hands-on experience and mentorship—especially for volunteers with a career interest in the museum or STEM fields.
  • Offers flexible scheduling and ongoing training.
  • Receive a complimentary Star (Individual) membership upon completion of training. This includes 2 guest passes, 2 Dome passes and discounts in our gift shop and cafe!
  • Access to more than 300 science and technology centers worldwide through the ASTC Passport Program.
  • Receive recognition awards and participate in social events
  • And more!

If you're as passionate about science as we are, what are you waiting for? Review the steps below and explore our available volunteer positions to get started.

A male volunteer wearing a blue shirt is standing in the middle of four people: an adult woman to the left, two smaller children in the middle, and a teen girl to the right. They are all looking at the air hockey robot in the Speed exhibition.

Steps to Become a Volunteer

Step 1: Submit an application

We'll use the information from your application to better understand your skills, goals and motivations for volunteering. Applications can be submitted online using our portal. Make sure to indicate your position preference on your application.  

Step 2: Try it out

All new volunteers complete a trial shift for their preferred role (or roles). Trial shifts give you a chance to explore roles and meet Science Museum team members. You're welcome to complete trial shifts for as many roles as you want, but you will need to select one role to move forward with.

We try to find a match for all applicants, but volunteer positions are not guaranteed. Availability is impacted by our current exhibitions, staffing and organizational capacity.

When we find a role that is a match for both you and the Science Museum, you'll move on to orientation and training.

Step 3: Orientation and Training

The Science Museum provides an initial online orientation program to create access and support broader completion. However, we require all volunteers to attend an in-person orientation before moving forward and completing a shift on their own. This orientation, offered quarterly, is designed to introduce volunteers to the museum's culture, provide an understanding of expectations and present an opportunity to explore the museum.

Once you are able to volunteer, we will provide you with the opportunity to conduct on-the-job training and shadowing—which can begin as soon as you are available.

Please keep in mind that volunteers cannot complete a shift on their own until they have attended a quarterly orientation and completed a background check. After successful completion of the background check and orientation, you will be issued a volunteer t-shirt and name tag.

Have more questions? You may contact Jared Strawderman, Volunteer and Internship Coordinator, with any questions by email ([email protected]).

Adult Volunteer Positions Available

Gallery Education Volunteer

Gallery Education Volunteers bring passion, skills, and special talents to work closely with Science Museum staff to provide a quality, fun, engaging, inclusive, science experience for guests - encouraging and assisting them as they interact with exhibits and in labs.

Time Commitment/Hours:

  • Must be able to commit to a consistent, regular schedule of at least 2 shifts per month for a minimum of six months.
  • Shift times: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m., on days when the Science Museum is open.

Apply now to join our team as a amazing Gallery Education Volunteer.

Dome Usher

Dome Ushers greet, scan electronic tickets, answer questions and assist guests as they enter and exit the Dome. These volunteers are comfortable interacting with the public, reliable and able to work independently.

Time Commitment/Hours:

  • Must be able to commit to a consistent, regular schedule (once a week or once every other week) for a minimum of six months.
  • Shift times: 10:30 a.m–3:30 p.m. Monday–Friday and Sunday; 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Apply now to join our amazing team as a Dome Usher.

Gift Shop Assistant

The gift shop extends the Museum’s mission to inspire our guests to enrich their lives through science by providing carefully selected science merchandise and generating funds to support the Museum. Volunteers work side by side with Museum store staff to assist guests as they make selections, keep the store well stocked, and ensure that merchandise is attractively displayed.

Time Commitment/Hours:

  • Must be able to commit to a consistent, regular schedule of at least 2 shifts per month for a minimum of six months.
  • Shift times: 4-hour shifts, during museum hours. Times may vary depending on store needs.

Apply now to join our amazing team as a Gift Shop Assistant.

The Forge Maker Challenge Assistant

The Forge Maker Challenge will help facilitate a variety of open-ended, design/engineering challenges during pre-scheduled Maker Challenge times (currently, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. daily.) Maker Challenges are open to all museum guests, regardless of age and allow for larger groups to participate in the Forge during this drop-in programming.

Time Commitment/Hours:

  • Must be able to commit to a consistent, regular schedule of at least 2 shifts per month for a minimum of six months.
  • Shift times: 10 a.m.–3 p.m., on days when the Science Museum is open.

Apply now to join our amazing team as The Forge Maker Challenge Assistant.

The Forge Workshop/Open Making Assistants

Forge Workshop/Open Making Assistants will help guests take a deeper dive into a variety of subject matter, ranging from 45-minute pre-scheduled workshops up to 2-hour Open Making blocks. Workshop/Open Making Assistants will be responsible for co-facilitating deeper engagements in electronics, woodworking, design, and textiles (and other general making problems/projects guests may have). This position will require in-depth interactions with guests and the necessity (and willingness) to solve a plethora of problems/questions as they arise.
Minimum age requirement: 16

Time Commitment/Hours:

  • Must be able to commit to a consistent, regular schedule of at least 2 shifts per month for a minimum of six months.
  • Shift times: 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 2–5 p.m., on days when the Science Museum is open.

Apply now to join our amazing team as The Forge Workshop/Open Making Assistants.

Urban Greenspace Volunteer

In 2023 the Science Museum of Virginia opened its new community greenspace, The Green. Join us once a month to help enhance this amazing community resource by weeding, raking, mulching, watering and cleaning up the space so that the public can continue enjoying the urban park’s natural beauty as well as environmental and health benefits.
Minimum age requirement: 16

Time Commitment/Hours:

  • Must be able to commit to attend monthly shifts from April–September.
  • Shift times: 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

Apply now to join our amazing team as an Urban Greenspace Volunteer.

Special Event Volunteer

Special Event volunteers offer invaluable support, enhance guest engagement, and contribute to the scientific experience of events hosted by the Science Museum. These events predominantly occur during evenings and weekends. This role is great if you're short on time but still wish to make an impact.

Time Commitment/Hours:

  • The time commitment depends on event hours and needs.
  • Volunteers sign up on an event-by-event basis

Sign up through our Community Foundation profile to support special events at the Science Museum.


Questions?

If you have any questions about the program, we’d love to hear from you!

Contact Us
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A volunteer is standing to the right of the SR-71 pointing at to to the guest standing on the right. They are both in the Speed exhibition. Their side is to the camera and they are looking away and up at the jet hanging from the ceiling.

Are You a Teen?

We have teen volunteer opportunities just for you!

Learn More
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Teen volunteer assists guests in the Science Museum's Speed exhibition.