National Science Resources Center Volunteer Program

Criteria for Volunteers

Volunteer opportunities are open to all individuals who meet the qualifications established for each project, including having successfully completed a Federal background check. All volunteer positions require that you be available during business hours, Monday through Friday, and be at least 16 years of age. For those who are able to commit to 3 months of service or more, the minimum time commitment is 6 hours per week.

Registration Deadline

Volunteers – We accept applications for volunteers all year. There is no deadline. Volunteers must register with Smithsonian’s Behind-The-Scenes Volunteer Program.

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in volunteering with NSRC, please click the following link on how to apply: Behind-The-Scenes Volunteer Program. Upon completion of a written application and a personal interview as well as successful completion of a background investigation, qualified applicants are referred to NSRC staff members for consideration.

There are six program areas in NSRC:

Science Education Program Areas for Volunteers

1.Center for Strategic Planning and Reform Initiatives
2.Center for Teacher Professional Development Initiatives
3.International Division
4.Publications Division
5.Executive Office
6.Finance & Administration Division

Typical Assignments for Volunteers at NSRC:

Center for Strategic Planning and Reform Initiatives The Center for Strategic Planning and Reform Initiatives of the NSRC works to transform science education by building partnerships with community stakeholders and assisting regions, districts, and schools as they plan for and implement comprehensive inquiry-based science programs. The center engages educators at all levels from classroom teachers to superintendents, as well as academic institutions, corporations, and foundations. The volunteer will work with the SPI Center staff to prepare materials for institutes and events, conduct online research, assist with grant writing, prepare marketing materials, and attend and support institutes and events. Experience in science, science education, or teaching would be an advantage. Interest in science is essential. Internet and Microsoft Office skills required as well as a willing to perform a wide range of tasks. The NSRC is located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible.

Spring Tasks (January–May)

• Recruit regional/district/school teams for summer International Strategic Planning Institute
  
• Revise/update materials for strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation institutes
• Plan logistics of upcoming strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation institutes
• Research new resources (articles, books, etc.), topics of focus in science education
• Prepare for annual NSRC Forum

Summer Tasks (June–August)
Organize and assemble materials for strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation institutes

• Plan logistics of upcoming strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation institutes
• Attend and facilitate on-site needs for International Strategic Planning Institute
• Attend and facilitate on-site needs for other strategic planning institutes, building awareness events, implementation institutes (over age 18 only)

Fall Tasks (September–December)

• Digitize evaluations from summer programming
• Assist in scheduling institutes and events through the next summer
• Develop marketing materials for the next International Strategic Planning Institute
• Assist with writing grants

Center for Teacher Professional Development Initiatives The Center for Teacher Professional Development Initiatives of the NSRC designs and implements courses for K-12 science teachers and teacher leaders. The center engages educators in a variety of experiences that enhance both their content knowledge and approaches to the teaching of science. The volunteer will work with the PD Center staff to prepare materials for workshops, conduct online research, research and assist with grant writing, prepare mailings, organize courses for teachers at Smithsonian Institution museums, and attend and facilitate courses. Some experience in science, science education, or teaching would be an advantage. Interest in science is essential. Internet and Microsoft Office skills required as well as a willing to perform a wide range of tasks. The NSRC is located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible.
Spring Tasks (January–May)

• Grant writing
• Educational research
• Teacher recruitment
• Preparing course materials
• Preparing for annual NSRC Forum

Summer Tasks related to the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (June –August)

• Preparing course resource materials
• Contacting and securing Academies presenters
• Providing teachers with course information
• Attending and assisting with the facilitation of summer Academies

Fall Tasks (September–December)

• Processing Academies evaluation data
• Producing reports for Academies funders
• Develop marketing materials for summer Academies
• Recruitment of teachers (mailing, email blasts, and at events)
  
  International Division The National Science Resources Center International Division has volunteer opportunities available for individuals with an interest in promoting our international presence. Activities will be both short and long term in scope, to include promoting science education as a driver of economic development, collaboration among education, scientific, and reform communities around the world, and contributing to development work to support this mission. We are looking for articulate students who are able to communicate verbally and in writing, and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel. The NSRC is located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible.
  
  Publications Division The Communication and Publications Division produces and maintains high-quality, educational materials that include Science and Technology Concepts™ (STC™) science curriculum units in the life, earth, and physical sciences for grades K-12 and a series of science reading resources called STC Literacy Series that complement our STC Program™. Our division also maintains and updates the NSRC Web site, www.nsrconline.org. Volunteers can assist in the curriculum development and revision process by writing, editing, performing photo research, and/or creating databases to track development and revision of our educational materials. Volunteers interested in information technology or web issues may assist in the maintenance of the NSRC website and the development of new web components. Assistance is also needed with digital asset management of photos and documents. Volunteers may work on image and document scanning, cataloging, and metadata assignment in addition to other assignments.
  
  Helpful, but not required experience in: working in an IT environment, writing, editing, and proofreading, photo research, and/or working with spreadsheets and databases.
  
  Year-round Tasks (January–December)
• Photo research, illustrations, etc. (Continuing the development of an “Art Manuscript” for new kindergarten units)
• Media research on Smithsonian resources to be used in new and revised curriculum units
• Research on best practices in science education (especially for grades K-5)
• Research on Science Common Core Standards being developed
• Curriculum development and revision (writing, editing, and proofreading working as a team with writers, editors, and education and science specialists)

Executive Office

Year-round Tasks (January–December) This department supports the Executive Director with administrative projects geared toward achieving the success of the organization. Volunteers will assist with the organizational events such as the National Advisory Board Meeting, International Coalition Meeting, small development projects and other organizational tasks such as writing letters, preparing materials, event planning, and general office support. The NSRC is located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible.

Helpful skills needed: Microsoft Word and Excel, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to multi-task.

Finance & Administrative Division

The right hand of the Executive Office is the Finance & Administration Division. This division consists of two administrative functions – Finance and Human Resources.

Year-round Tasks for Finance (January–December)

• Formatting budgets in Excel
• Tracking budget expenditures
• Research potential donors for core operations development proposals
• Organize accountable property documentation
• Contract file maintenance
• Document archiving

Year-round Tasks for Human Resources (January–December)

• Assist with coordination of NSRC Internship Program
• Maintain relationship with school career centers
• Create communications (flyers, brochures, white papers, etc.) to attract new interns
• Prepare selection packets for new interns
• Create new hire orientation binders for new employees
• Maintain spreadsheets to track staff professional development
• Create tracking spreadsheets for phone and in-person interviews
• Update various HR logs and records

The NSRC is located in a federal office building which is handicap accessible. Microsoft Word and Excel are helpful skills. Business majors with excellent organizational skills are encouraged to apply.

More about the NSRC. For questions about NSRC volunteer opportunities, please contact Angela Pritchett, Volunteer and Internship Coordinator, at 202-633-2284 or [email protected]