Volunteer as a Science Mentor
We exclusively reach young people from City Heights, a low-income, urban, and racially diverse community. By providing young people with science education, mentorship, and the growth mindset tools, they break the cycle of poverty and enter science and science-related fields.
We need volunteers who are racially diverse and willing to share their journey of becoming a scientist! Many of our students have never seen a scientist who looks like them, which is not acceptable. Because of this, we commit to ensuring the majority of all volunteers reflect the students of the community of City Heights.
As a Science Mentor, you will participate in our Leadership Programs. These programs are open to high school students from Hoover High School in City Heights. Each year, these students will participate in an intensive summer program that will help prepare them to become leaders in science. As a mentor, you will participate alongside the students in the programs for 2 or 3 consecutive days. During your time, you will act as a mentor, help students with the coursework & hands-on activities, inspire them to pursue science, and build belief that science is something they can do and a science leader is someone they can become.
About the Opportunities
During the summer of 2023, we will have two Leadership Programs: Ocean Leader Bridge and Ocean Leader Intro to Research. See below for descriptions of each program and how to sign up to be a Science Mentor.
1. Ocean Leader Bridge
We will be welcoming recently graduated 8th-grade students to the Ocean Leader program through a hands-on science program where students investigate fish, mammals, and invertebrates. This program is primarily based in San Diego at the Living Lab, but will also include some trips to the local coast. Some volunteer shifts might require volunteers to provide their own transportation to the coast, please ask program staff for details.
2. Ocean Leader Intro to Research
This program brings our rising 10th grade Ocean Leaders to Bahia de Los Angeles, Mexico. Our students learn and practice the Scientific Discovery Process through authentic hands-on field research in the unique environment of Bahia de Los Angeles. In this residency program, students experience life at a field station, engage in community-building activities, swim and snorkel, and develop critical mentor-mentee relationships with scientists and alumni.
All in-person Ocean Discovery program is held with important COVID-19 safety measures in place to protect the health of our community. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all in-person volunteer opportunities.
Ocean Leader Bridge
Dates & Times
- 9am – 5pm.
- Two consecutive days June 19th-30th.
Intro to research
Dates & Times
- Full day residential program (including travel days).
- Five consecutive days July 18th-31st.