We are proud to announce that we are revamping our Volunteer Program. We’ve had some new changes to the Science Center both on a structural and mission level. With our new program, we will invest time in all of our volunteers at the center, with new volunteer types to include “Maker Volunteers” and “Project/General Volunteers” (“Docent Volunteers” will be continued in this program as well). We want to thank the many volunteers that have worked with us before, and we hope to see you in the future! Below are upcoming volunteer opportunities. Volunteer and experience the difference you can make in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) education!
Upcoming Volunteer Events:
Maker Nights: 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 6pm-7pm
Join Reiko, one of our greatest tinkerers, to discover what you can bring to life at the center! From coming up with exhibit ideas to building the exhibits, we have room for all types of thinkers and tinkerers. An ongoing project we have now is to build out our Toddler Room with new exhibits (including a water table, bubble exhibit, and sensory boards), painting the room, and even creating a themed mural in the new space.
Outreach Event: Construction Junction Saturday April 28th, 10am-2pm
Join one of our staff members and represent the center at the annual Construction Junction held at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds. We’ll have a booth where attendees can learn about the center and experience a hands-on activity; this year’s activity is making catapults! We’ll have materials (i.e. popsicle sticks, tape, water bottles) that people can use to create the catapults and then launch them.
Outreach Event: Earth Day Festival Saturday April 28th, 10am-3pm
Join one of our staff members and represent the center at the first annual Earth Day Festival of Fort Walton Beach held at Liza Jackson Park. The theme of the event is “End Plastic Pollution,” and we will be bringing an activity that shows just how long different objects take to degrade. Attendees will guess how long they think each item takes to degrade, and they might be surprised as to how long it actually takes! Other vendors such as Full Circle Gallery, Nonie’s Ark, and more will also be at the event.
Volunteer Training: First Saturday, 3pm-4pm
Join Jacie, our Volunteer Coordinator, to see where you can fit into our team at the center. From creating exhibits to showing guests around the center, we have many volunteer opportunities that are right at your fingertips. At the training, we get to know you a little bit better to learn how you’d like to help at the center, and we will provide you with information about the volunteering opportunities we have available, including basic qualifications for each.
Pancake Breakfast: May 12th, 10am-11am
Help us with our first pancake breakfast to raise money while having a wonderful breakfast! Families who have left their stuffed animal from the night before will be there to see what crazy things their stuffed animal "did" while they were gone. We'll need volunteers to help make pancakes, serve the food and drinks, and also take donations.
Smoke on the Coast: July 3rd, 10am-11pm
Although far away, this event will be here in no time! Join our staff and represent the center at the annual Smoke on the Coast barbecue contest. Nonprofits, like us, partner up with a barbecue specialist (ours being Bow Tie BBQ and Catering) and compete to see who has the best barbecue, most spirited booth, and more! With your help, we can make it easier on the guys at Bow Tie. We’ll have 1-2 hour shifts that will include serving barbecue, handing out water, and helping with fun science experiments or temporary tattoos. Sign up to volunteer by filling out our volunteer form and sign then sign up for a shift on our volunteer calendar, both located here.
Thank you for continually supporting the Emerald Coast Science Center, and we hope to see you soon! If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@ecscience.org or 850-664-1261.