Science & Engineering Professionals: Become an Expert
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Thank you for your interest in the Ask an Expert volunteer program!
The Ask an Expert Program is a free online forum where students and parents can ask questions about K-12 science projects. Our team of volunteer experts work together to provide personalized assistance for students who have questions about any phase of their project, from coming up with an idea to analyzing data, troubleshooting projects, and sharing results at a science fair.
The Ask an Expert volunteer season runs from September-May. We accept and review applications year-round on an as-needed basis. We schedule most of our volunteers in August-October, in sync with the start of the new school year.
We are only able to work with a small number of volunteers each year as Experts at Ask an Expert.
Volunteering at Ask an Expert
The Ask an Expert forum is an online bulletin board students and parents can use to post questions related to their science projects. Our team of volunteer Experts, comprised of both adult volunteers and top high school students, work together to provide "Expert" assistance and guidance.
How it Works
- Volunteers are scheduled to check in once a week in a specific forum.
- Volunteers check in on the scheduled day and help respond to questions that appear in the forums.
- On average, most Experts spend 1/2 hour per week helping with student questions.
- All correspondence takes place within the Ask an Expert forums.
- In most cases, Experts answer a student's question and move on to another student. In some cases, a student question may result in a series of follow-up questions.
Requirements for Volunteering with Ask an Expert
- Desire to foster interest in STEM at a pivotal age.
- Wish to give back to the community in a way that doesn't take a lot of time but has high value.
- Science or engineering background by education and/or profession.
- Access to the Internet and email on a regular basis.
- Clear background screen.
- Only legal U.S. residents (e.g., U.S. citizen, work/student visa, green card) may volunteer with the Ask an Expert program.
Background Screening
Science Buddies is committed to the safety of all participants in the Ask and Expert forums and performs background screening on all potential volunteers. After completing the application (including reviewing orientation materials), Science Buddies will ask for a signed form confirming consent for a background screen. Background checks may be repeated annually for continuing volunteers.
How to Apply to Volunteer at Ask an Expert
- Complete the Ask an Expert application. If you are already a Science Buddies member, please first log in so that we can access your account information and pre-populate parts of the volunteer application form.
- Applications are Web-based only. Unfortunately, other formats (e.g. email, fax, print) cannot be accepted.
- Please set aside 15 minutes to complete this application in one sitting.
- If you are a first-time volunteer, you will be asked to set up an Ask an Expert account. (Please use the same email address for your application and your Ask an Expert account.)
- Immediately after you have submitted your application, you will see a "Thank You" page confirming that Science Buddies has received your application. If you do not see the "Thank You" page, your application did not go through, and you will need to submit it again. A confirmation email will be sent to your preferred email address.
- After completing your application, orientation materials will be available in your Science Buddies account. Please review these materials fully.
- We review applications year-round on an as-needed basis. We schedule most of our volunteers in August-September, in sync with the start of the new school year.
- A Science Buddies staff member will follow up with you regarding next steps or scheduling considerations.
- If you have any questions, contact Science Buddies at volunteer@sciencebuddies.org.
