Volunteer applications are now open!
Grades 9–12 (in 2025–2026 school year)
The Café Coordinators are the planners and hosts of the Museum’s Teen Science Cafés: monthly presentations featuring cutting-edge science research and careers in STEM. Teen Science Cafés are free Museum programs for teens, hosted by teens, and the Café Coordinators are responsible for making them happen!
Café Coordinators will build science literacy, public speaking and leadership skills by working directly with guest scientists to plan and implement all parts of the Café programs. Student volunteers select Café topics, manage social media and marketing efforts, guide guest speakers in preparation for presentations, and help lead the Café programming.
Never been to a Teen Science Café? That’s ok! Check out video recordings of past Cafés on our YouTube account to see what they’re all about.
Café Coordinators commit to the following:
- Two monthly planning meetings on Wednesdays from 4 to 6pm.
- Attendance at every Teen Science Café on first Fridays from September through April.
- An annual retreat in August and an end-of-year celebration in May.
Fee: $75/year. Fee covers snacks for meetings, Café Coordinator T-shirt, supplies and food for end-of-year party.
Scholarships are available. Please contact Lynn Cross for more information.
Volunteer applications are now open! Application deadline is Monday, April 21, 2025, at 5:00pm. Group interviews will be held Tuesday-Thursday May 6–8; top applicants will be contacted with an invitation to attend. To apply, complete the student application form and teacher recommendation below:
Café Coordinator Student Application Form
Café Coordinator Teacher Recommendation Form
Please note that we must receive both forms by the deadline of Monday, April 21 at 5:00pm for your application to be considered. We will begin reviewing applications and will invite top applicants to in-person group interviews after the deadline.
If you have questions or experience technical issues with your application, please contact Lynn Cross at lynn.cross@naturalsciences.org.
This application-based program is competitive, and we receive more applications than we can accept. If selected for the program, you will be expected to uphold the required volunteer time commitment described above and attend all meetings and Cafés. Failure to do so may result in removal from the program.