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A Science Center volunteer reading a map of the building to three men

Volunteer Opportunities

Descriptions of volunteer opportunities are listed below.

To learn more and apply to our Adult Volunteer Program, please click here.

To learn more and apply to our Teen Volunteer Program, please click here.

Time commitments:

  • Adult – positions require a minimum 6-month commitment. Weekly/monthly commitments vary by position; see below for details.
  • Teen – the summer session requires a minimum 50-hour commitment. The school-year session requires a minimum 100-hour commitment. Weekly/monthly commitments vary by position; see below for details.

Animals & Habitats

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Learn about and present information on aquarium fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates to our visitors. Assist staff in behind the scenes care and maintenance of the aquarium and habitat areas. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week.

Buhl Planetarium

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Be a part of the Buhl legacy as you engage visitors with dynamic experiences that convey the wonders of the cosmos and the achievements of human space exploration. Conduct science activities and hands-on demonstrations with visitors, greet and help seat visitors prior to shows, and answer visitor questions to bring the mysteries of space to life. Assist with monthly evening Skywatch programs. Planetarium time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week. Skywatch time commitment: assist with 4–5 events.

BNY Mellon Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Fab Lab is a digital fabrication laboratory for innovation and invention. It’s a workshop for learning and dreaming: a place to play, create, discover, mentor, and invent. Work with our staff to demonstrate the capabilities of our 3D printers, laser cutters, and ShopBot CNC milling machines. Help students troubleshoot projects and aid staff in setup and maintenance of equipment. Assist staff with Fab Lab classes, demonstrations, and equipment. Volunteers work onsite or with our BNY Mellon Mobile Fab Lab unit. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week. Summer teen volunteers will assist with summer camps for 2 full weeks of camps, Monday-Friday, full days.

Demonstration Theaters

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Volunteers will engage and excite visitors of all ages through hands-on science activities and demonstrations on gallery floors. Volunteers will also assist staff to prepare for shows on, and welcome visitors to, our three science stages – The Works Theater, The BodyStage, and The Science Stage. Help us to explore the human body in our Body Stage, experience electricity and chemistry in our Works Theater, and have a “smashing” good time with large audiences in the Science Stage. Volunteers can present demos around the Tesla Coil, liquid nitrogen, food science, body chemistry, and more! As volunteers build skills and experience, they can advance to assisting staff to lead shows and take part in live programs in our theater spaces. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week.

Gallery Experiences Presenter

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Engage visitors of all ages, help them experience our exhibits and have fun learning science while working on the exhibit floors, including Mars: The Next Giant Leap, Highmark SportsWorks®, Bricksburgh, BodyWorks, and our traveling exhibition gallery. There are over 100 hands-on activities for kids and adults. Help pique imaginations at the water table, navigate a Mars rover, introduce visitors to our animal ambassadors, and much more. Gallery Experiences volunteers may also volunteer in our Traveling Exhibition gallery. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week.

Mentors in the Making

(Open to adult volunteers only)
Help empower the next generation of students in STEM as a mentor with Mentors in the Making! Learn about 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, and other CNC machines while collaborating with a high school student on digital fabrication projects, including a capstone project that can ultimately have an impact in the community beyond the BNY Mellon Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center. Mentors build positive relationships with students and support them in developing life skills and exploring careers in STEM. Time commitment: once a week on select weekday evenings between November and April.

Miniature Railroad & Village®

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Climb aboard! Become a part of the tradition. Volunteers will engage visitors of all ages to share information about our Miniature Railroad & Village® filled with rich, historical Western Pennsylvania culture and history. Does not require familiarity with operating trains. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week.

Museum Event Volunteer

(Open to adult volunteers only)
Interested in sharing your love of science and technology with the public? We are looking for outgoing, flexible, people who are willing to serve as ambassadors for Carnegie Science Center. Museum Events Volunteers fill a variety of roles from greeter to registration assistants to conducting hands-on science activities to help us showcase regional science and technology endeavors, as well as engage our guests through interactive exhibits. Team members will be notified when a Carnegie Science Center event requires volunteer support and can choose to assist with the opportunities that fit into their schedules. Day and evening, weekday and weekend events are available. Time commitment: minimum of 4 events.

Rangos Giant Cinema

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Be a part of visitors’ experience at the only Certified Giant Screen in Pittsburgh! The Rangos Giant Cinema volunteers ensure that visitors feel welcomed and enjoy a truly unique movie viewing experience. Volunteers will greet guests, take tickets, assist in the concession stand, hand out and collect 3D glasses, and create a great experience for our guests by helping maintain the theater. Rangos volunteers can also create demonstrations based on the content of featured films and assist guests in choosing which movie to see. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week.

STEM Center

(Open to adult volunteers only)
Join staff from our Center for STEM Education and Career Development and contribute to the day-to-day operations of our STEM programs by working behind the scenes and on the floor during events and programming. Volunteers assist with data entry and other clerical work; aid in event preparation and breakdown; support staff at events, which may include assisting at registration tables, directing exhibitors and school groups, distributing evaluations; running hands-on science activities; and may assist at offsite outreach opportunities. Time commitment: flexible weekly/monthly commitment based on STEM event schedule.

Summer Camps & Classes

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Volunteers will explore informal science education with the Camps team. Assist behind the scenes and in the classroom. Spend time in the classroom to assist with daily camp activities; help monitor youth campers in the classroom, during lunch, and on the museum floor; assist instructors with camp activities. Time commitment: summer only; camps run mid-June through mid-August. Teen volunteers will assist with 2 weeks of summer camp, Monday-Friday, full days. Weeks do not need to be consecutive. Adult volunteers will volunteer for one 4-hour shift per week.

USS Requin (SS 481) Submarine

(Open to adult volunteers only)
Volunteers help the Science Center use this unique and wonderful artifact to teach science and history in a truly immersive environment. Volunteers will educate visitors about how our cold war submarine operates and share what life onboard was like for the USS Requin (SS 481) submarine crew. Volunteers will greet guests as they arrive for tours; help escort guests to the USS Requin; be stationed on the submarine to engage visitors, share information, and answer questions about the submarine; and assist with demonstrations about the history and engineering of the USS Requin. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week.

Visitor Service Representative

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Make a good first impression and help visitors navigate the Science Center. Greet visitors with a warm and welcoming attitude. Provide answers to myriad questions that visitors have about the Science Center as well as the Greater Pittsburgh region. Volunteers will staff our Welcome Desk or be stationed in the lobby to provide visitors with site maps, answer questions, and direct guests in the building. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week.

XPLOR Store

(Open to adult and teen volunteers)
Volunteers have the opportunity to assist behind the scenes and on the sales floor. Demonstrate gift shop merchandise to visitors in the store, lobby, and outdoors. Assist visitors in selecting a souvenir from the Science Center to take home or help other XPLOR Store team members with general retail functions, including bagging merchandise and maintaining a clean and organized store. Help to tag merchandise as it is received. Time commitment: one 4-hour shift per week.

Diversity Statement

Carnegie Science Center understands, respects and values physical, cultural, economic, and social differences among our visitors and staff.