Volunteerism

Whether you have an occasional hour to spare or a few extra hours each week, you can help make a difference. Feel free to explore our volunteer overview page to find a project that best suits your interests.

All in-person volunteers must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and wear a mask while on-site.

Academic Mentors Program

Volunteers work with bright, motivated students in grades 5-12 to explore a particular career or area of passion. Mentorships activities could include hands-on projects, shadowing at a workplace, research on a topic of mutual interest or field trips.

Qualifications: Ability to work one-on-one with a student; a level of expertise in the subject area of interest.

Commitment: Six hours total over 2-6 weeks, September through May. Schedule is established at the beginning of the mentorship.

Classroom Speakers Program

Teachers request presenters to visit their classroom to enhance or reinforce the curriculum. The topic might be career oriented, e.g., banking, geology or a hobby such as coin collecting, or an area of special interest such as poetry, art or astronomy. Other areas might be places of travel or foreign cultures. Hands-on activities are especially valued by the students. The more engaging, the better.

Qualifications: Able to work with students in elementary and middle school grades; good communication skills. Bilingual (Spanish/English) volunteers are always needed.

Commitment: Flexible, ranging from one presentation a year to several presentations each month. Scheduling is on a by-request basis.

Family Night Program

Volunteers help with the set-up, serving of refreshments and facilitation of different evening events.

Volunteer activities will vary with the type of Family Night. Reading and Response to Literacy evenings will involve reading to children or to families. Volunteers for Math Nights will teach families simple math games. At Art Nights they will help with the distribution of art supplies and lend a hand as needed with art projects. At all other Family Nights, volunteers will help facilitate the families’ rotations to various educational stations.

Qualifications: Desire and ability to interact with children and their families. Ability to read aloud to small groups of children or small groups of families (books provided). Ability to teach simple math games to families (materials and instructions provided).

Commitment: Flexible, ranging from one evening per year to several evenings per month. Two hours per evening (5:00-7:00 p.m.).

Science Fair Judges

Volunteers judge the science fair projects of Denver Public School students, typically at the elementary and middle school levels.

Qualifications: A love of science; knowledge of the scientific method and its applications; and a desire to assist, guide and encourage a student’s interest in science.

Commitment: Four hours in the morning or afternoon on the day of the Science Fair.