Make a difference for the ocean... and have FUN doing it!

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Teams of volunteers, interns and staff work together in the Seymour Center’s seawater and teaching lab rooms to teach hands-on, marine science activity stations as part of thematic Discovery Labs to small groups of students (8 children max. per small group). Volunteer instructors also lead interpretive tours for students (up to 20 children/adults) to visit areas at the marine lab (including blue whale and gray whale skeletons, invertebrate touch tank, live sharks in aquaria, and more) Tour stops and activities depend on the grade level of the class attending. Instructors work with all grade levels (K-12 and community college).

Meet fun and dedicated people who share your enthusiasm for kids, science, and the ocean. Learn about local marine life and scientific research. Gain experience in public speaking, teaching, and interpreting marine science and research. Develop excellent group management skills for working with K-12 students. Regular enrichment lectures and field trips are offered to active volunteers throughout the year.

Commitment: One morning shift each week (Tuesday-Friday, either 8:15-11 AM or 10:15 AM -1 PM) mid October through early June. Vacations can be covered by swapping shifts with other school volunteers or by arranging subs. College students are able to switch shifts on a quarterly/semester basis to accommodate class schedules. Intern positions are available that require additional hours and responsibilities.

Qualifications: Responsible, punctual, and reliable. Enjoy working with K-12 and college students. Desire to learn and communicate marine science and research to youth through hands-on activities and engaging interpretation. This position requires preparation at home the night before each teaching shift. Ability to manage a group of schoolchildren. Ability to walk 1/3 mile, lift buckets of seawater for holding live marine animals. Enjoy working cooperatively with a team of other volunteers and staff. Minimum 18 years of age. Attitude of a life-long learner. Experience working with K-12 youth preferred, but not required.

Training: Training sessions provide orientation to Seymour Center school programs, touring and teaching demos and practice, group management tips, introduction to a variety of marine science concepts, and the most current information on Long Marine Lab marine mammal research. The School Programs Volunteer Training series takes place each fall (from late Sept. through mid-Oct.) and consists of seven 3-hour sessions. All training sessions take place at the Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab. Different information is covered each day. Reading and homework will be given each day. Ongoing training and support, and additional training sessions (some required) will be provided throughout the school year.