Volunteers

VOLUNTEERING AT
SCIENCE NORTH

Connect, Engage, Discover...

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Whether you're exploring career options, are interested in learning, want to contribute your experience, are searching for a hobby or are simply interested in lending a hand by sharing your time and energy, a whole range of volunteer adventures await you at Science North.

Make an Impact...

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We believe in building relationships that advance careers, create new opportunities, inspire young minds and build community pride.

Take Action!!!

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Explore our current volunteer opportunities!

CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

GARDEN VOLUNTEER

Location: Science North

Time Commitment: Flexible weekdays

Position Description: Looking to get a greener thumb? Want to show off your gardening skills and knowledge? Help us prepare and plant our outside vegetable garden this season and/or maintain the health and vitality of our plants inside the centre with daily maintenance (watering, weeding, pruning). Monitor plants for pests and diseases and assist with the application of biological controls when needed. This position is ideal for a volunteer who has the ability to work independently but also enjoys being part of a team. Please note that this position requires an individual who can bend, sit, kneel, lift up to 25 lbs and has daytime availability during the weekdays from April to September.

Interested applicants are asked to forward résumés to careers [at] sciencenorth.ca

careers [at] sciencenorth.ca (APPLY FOR THIS POSITION)class="btn btn-primary"

Whether you’re exploring career options, are interested in learning, want to contribute your experience, are searching for a hobby or are simply interested in lending a hand by sharing your time and energy, you can enrich our visitor experience! Give your energy to science!

ON-CALL EVENT VOLUNTEER

Location: Science North

Time Commitment: Flexible weekdays and weekends

Position Description: Are you a senior with stories to tell? An adult with time on your hands? A teen looking for job experience? A student with community involvement hours to build? Prefer shorter time commitments? Want a choice in what you do and when you volunteer? Become and on-call event volunteer! Occasionally, when we hold special events, we find ourselves in need of extra support. On-call volunteers are a select roster of people we can contact about their availability to volunteer a few hours for specific events like Canada Day, New Year's Eve, EarthWeek, an annual gala, our First Lego League, Envirothon, Easter programming or other special events and programs. No experience? No problem! We provide all training.

Interested applicants are asked to forward résumés to careers [at] sciencenorth.ca

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SCIENCE COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP

Program Dates: June 5^th to June 30^th, 2023

Application Deadline: May 5^th, midnight

Position Description: Are you passionate about sharing your love of science with others? Do you want to learn science communication skills through practical, immersive, hands-on opportunities? Are you looking to build a portfolio of professional science communication products that highlight your research and help your career prospects in a science or science communication field?

Science North is proud to offer five Canadian post-secondary STEM students a unique opportunity to develop their science communication skills through a 4–week mentorship program based out of Science North. Program participants will cultivate essential, evidence-based science communication skills through weekly seminars and one-on-one training with experienced mentors. They will gain practical experience as they grow their portfolio of science communication products and programs.

There will be a $2000 stipend for successful program applicants to help cover living expenses and travel costs through the 4–week internship. At the end of the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion and they will have built a portfolio of professional science communication products.

Participant Requirements: Successful program applicants must:

Be a current undergraduate or graduate student in a STEM-related program at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution OR a recent graduate (within two years).
Be a Canadian citizen who is permitted to work in Canada.
Be a fluent English speaker. Science North is a bilingual organization with many opportunities for French-speaking participants to work in French; however, classroom and seminar presentations will be delivered in English.
Bring a device that they are comfortable working from and can access the internet (ex. laptop, tablet, etc).

Note: This program will be tailored to the participants' specific interests, fields and research topics. Therefore, STEM students of all backgrounds, experience levels and abilities are encouraged to apply.

Program Expectations: Successful applicants are expected to:

Fill out all required information and documentation in a timely manner to ensure they can start the program on June 5^th.
Be in Sudbury at Science North for the 4-week mentorship program. Participants will not be permitted to participate in the program remotely. However, there may be an exception for local applicants to work out of our satellite Thunder Bay location. Participants are responsible for securing their own transportation to and from Sudbury, as well as living accommodations (see accommodations and stipend information below).
Spend 30–35 hours a week in the science centre, learning in class, working with their mentor, working on science communication projects, or other program-related activities.
Produce a final science communication project related to their research or science interests, showcasing the skills they have gained throughout the program.
Prepare a plan to share their knowledge gained in the program with science colleagues through in-person or online training within six months of completing the internship.

Program Curriculum and Experiences:

In-class learning of the best practices and foundations of evidence-based science communication, including:
1. Audience-focused science communication principles
2. Crafting essential messages for effective communication
3. Accessibility and science communication
4. And more!
Weekly Seminars to further explore the foundations of science communication and relevant topics, including:
1. Engaging with teachers and students in formal learning environments
2. Designing for impact and engagement
3. Social media and science communication
4. Entrepreneurship in science communication
Experiential learning through mentorship with a Science North Staff Scientist, which includes:
1. Practice implementing the skills learned in class through immersive, on-the-job SciComm opportunities in the science centre.
2. One-on-one training on how science communication skills can be used to engage public audiences in person and online.
Creation of public-facing science communication tools, resources and/or products, which could include but are not limited to:
1. Science centre exhibits
2. School and public science learning programs or activities
3. Social media or traditional media products
4. Live or virtual science workshops

Program Stipend, Lodging and Travel Accommodations: Participants are expected to be in-person at a Science North location for the duration of the internship program. Science North's operational headquarters are located in Sudbury, and it is expected most, if not all participants will be placed here. Some exceptions may be made for residents of Thunder Bay who wish to participate in the program from the Thunder Bay satellite site.

Successful applicants will be given a $2000 stipend to help cover cost-of-living and travel expenses throughout the 4–week program. The participant is responsible for arranging travel to and from Sudbury for this program.

Participants will be provided with a Sudbury GOVA bus pass to get to and from Science North throughout the program, if they do not have access to a vehicle. This will give participants unlimited bus rides for 31 days after pass activation.

Laurentian University has lodging available for the 4–week program in the on-campus dorms. The dorms are apartment style, with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchen. The estimated cost of a room for the month is approximately $750, and parking is available for an additional cost. This option is recommended for out-of-town participants as Laurentian University is located close to Science North. Participants are welcome to secure alternative living accommodations if they are available. More information, resources, and support will be provided to successful applicants.

Please use this link below to access our Microsoft forms program application:

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Please note that candidates who are being considered for the program will be expected to have a short, virtual chat with program coordinators to help with the selection process. We will reach out to you with more information if you are being considered.

If you have any questions about this program, or the program application form, please reach out to our program coordinator:

Lauren Szucki (she/her) – Staff Scientist
Email: lauren.szucki [at] sciencenorth.carel=" noopener" target="_blank"

We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP VOLUNTEERS (SUDBURY / SSM)

Location: Sudbury or Sault Ste. Marie

Time Commitment: Flexible weekdays for Summer 2023

We are looking for youth who can:

Attend mandatory training
Volunteer minimum of two weeks during the summer months of July and August (non-consecutive)
Volunteer for mornings, afternoons or full days (Monday to Friday)

Position Description: Throughout the summer, Science North offers fun, unique and educational science themed camp experiences for children ages 4–12 in Sudbury or Sault Ste Marie. Science North’s specialized staff are trained to spark an interest in science through exciting hands-on activities. With engaging games and experiments, we prove science can be fun! Through appealing activities and workshops, science camps spark natural curiosity while inspiring a love for science. From nature themed camps, to animal adventures, to technology-based programming, there is sure to be a camp that appeals to every science lover!

Join our team! We are looking for enthusiastic youth volunteers with an interest in science and technology to contribute to our Summer Science Camps Program. Volunteers will work closely with Camp staff to assist with crafts and fun hands on science based activities, preparing of snacks, getting participants ready for outdoor play and lead group games during breaks and transitions. They will also identify, sort and pack supplies, support t-shirt distribution and research activities for future programs. This opportunity requires individuals who enjoy working with children, have excellent communication skills, are good with time management and enjoy being part of a team.

If you:

are a minimum of 14 years of age
enjoy working with children,
are fascinated by the world of STEM — science, technology, engineering and math,
are eager to participate in new and exciting experiences,
are excited to gain work-related skills

Volunteering at one of our Summer Science Camps will be a very rewarding and enriching experience for you!

Benefits: Volunteering with Science North has great benefits. As a part of the Summer Science Camps team, you will:

Gain work experience and build career skills
Be recognized as an important part of the Science North team
Receive discounts and special pricing for events at Science North

Interested applicants are asked to forward résumés to careers [at] sciencenorth.carel=" noopener" target="_blank"

If you have questions, please contact Anne-Marie Wilkie at 705-522-3701 ext. 274

Whether you’re exploring career options, are interested in learning, want to contribute your experience, are searching for a hobby or are simply interested in lending a hand by sharing your time and energy, you can enrich our visitor experience! Give your energy to science!

SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP VOLUNTEERS (THUNDER BAY)

Location: Thunder Bay

Time Commitment: Flexible weekdays for Summer 2023

We are looking for youth who can:

Attend mandatory training
Volunteer minimum of two weeks during the summer months of July and August (non-consecutive)
Volunteer for mornings, afternoons or full days (Monday to Friday)

If you:

are a minimum of 14 years of age
enjoy working with children,
are fascinated by the world of STEM — science, technology, engineering and math,
are eager to participate in new and exciting experiences,
are excited to gain work-related skills

Volunteering at one of our Summer Science Camps will be a very rewarding and enriching experience for you!

Benefits: Volunteering with Science North has great benefits. As a part of the Summer Science Camps team, you will:

Gain work experience and build career skills
Be recognized as an important part of the Science North team
Receive discounts and special pricing for events at Science North

SPACE PLACE SUPPORT

Location: Science North

Time Commitment: Flexible weekdays and weekends for Summer 2023

Position Description: If you're interested in astronomy and space exploration, are excited about learning new things, and love engaging with people of all ages about science then this is your ideal opportunity. On a typical day in Space Place you may put some visitors on the human gyroscope, set up a solar telescope outside, and launch mini-rockets from a kid's hand. You will learn and share cool facts about the solar system, our Canadian astronauts, dark matter, and everything in between. As a volunteer you will also assist the Space Place team in keeping all the exhibits working and starting object theatres. Share your love of astronomy with our visitors today!

Interested applicants are asked to forward résumés to careers [at] sciencenorth.carel=" noopener" target="_blank"

Whether you’re exploring career options, are interested in learning, want to contribute your experience, are searching for a hobby or are simply interested in lending a hand by sharing your time and energy, you can enrich our visitor experience! Give your energy to science!