The MASM Volunteer Association's mission is to help people understand science and its relationship to our lives. We seek to spark curiosity, enhance scientific knowledge, and encourage lifelong learning through our exhibits, workshops, and school-related activities. Volunteers are essential! The museum is a non-profit organization with a small budget and a limited number of staff. Volunteers are truly needed if we are to serve our visitors well.

Mid-America Science Museum offers many volunteer service positions for persons 12 years old and older. All volunteer service positions are hands-on, and for students allow for a unique opportunity to gain skills, abilities, and knowledge that are translatable to other areas in life: school, job, college preparation, resume building, etc. Volunteers of any age can choose the museum area that fits their interests and skills, such as the snack bar, grounds crew, exhibit maintenance, guest services, museum store, marketing, or educational program assistant.

Another volunteer service learning program that has recently been developed at MASM is called L.I.M.E (Leaders In Museum Education). This program provides an educational component to the museum exhibits by engaging visitors with inquiry based explanations and demonstrations. Those participating in this program will receive 10 hours of initial training with the Director of Informal Learning after which responsibilities will be added with additional training. L.I.M.E. volunteers interact with visitors one-on-one to provide explanations and quick science demonstrations that make the visitors' experience extra special. The L.I.M.E. program is a great way to reinforce the science concepts students are learning in class. What better way to understand science than by experimenting hands-on and explaining concepts to others!

Download MASM Volunteer Overview

Download MASM LIME Program Overview

Who can become a Mid America Science Museum Volunteer?

We're not looking for scientists!

• Want to contribute to their community
• Are enthusiastic about learning
• Enjoy sharing knowledge
• Take responsibility seriously
• Enjoy taking challenges

We have opportunities for adults and students (ages 12 and up) and we can accommodate various physical limitations.

Does that sound like YOU?

What would you like to do?

• Engage visitors to interact with exhibits
• Provide educational and fun component to exhibits
• Assist with educational programs
• Conduct demonstrations
• Help with clerical tasks
• Help with special events
• Do grounds and gardening tasks
• Work in the snack bar (open daily during summer hours. Snack bar is entirely operated by volunteers. All profits are used to fund new exhibits and other MASM projects.)

WE'LL PROVIDE THE TRAINING IF YOU'LL PROVIDE THE MOTIVATION!

What are the benefits to YOU of being a MASM Volunteer?

• The satisfaction of acquainting visitors with Arkansas' largest interactive science museum
• Seeing the delight of visitors when you help them understand our world more clearly
• Serving your community
• Developing leadership skills
• Expanding your own knowledge
• Meeting new people who share your interests
• Earning free admission to MASM for you and your family
• Receiving discounts in our gift shop
• Earning complimentary MASM membership after 100 hours of volunteer service
• Complimentary lunch in Snack Bar while volunteering
• FUN!!! !

Interested?

For more information, call 501-767-3461 or email us today. We want to hear from YOU!

Join us and have an impact on the future!

MASM Volunteer Association Scholarship Requirements

1. Applicants must complete the Applicant Information Sheet.
2. Eligible students must be either a college Junior or Senior majoring in a science discipline (for example: agriculture, animal studies, science education, astronomy, biology, chemistry, ecology, physics, zoology, etc.) during the school year in which the scholarship will be used.
3. Overall G.P.A. minimum of 3.00. Include a copy of your transcript.
4. Students must submit a one page essay explaining financial need, why they chose to study science and future plans.
5. Students must submit written recommendation from two professors.
6. Scholarship applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2009.

Any employee or volunteer associated with Mid-America Science Museum and their relatives are ineligible.

Interested in Receiving an Application? Just send us an email!