Volunteer with CARAT Lab
Help us “Bridge the Gap” in STEM by donating your time, skills, and passion to students, seniors, and communities.
Volunteers are the heart of our STEM Bridge Ecosystem. Whether you are a high school student, university mentor, parent, or community member, you can play a direct role in running workshops, supporting FIRST teams, and expanding access to STEM.
Who Can Volunteer?
We welcome volunteers from different backgrounds who share the same goal — building a more inclusive STEM world.
High School Students
Support LEGO workshops, FLL mentoring, senior home visits, and small contests. Build leadership, communication, and technical skills.
Great for: FLL, FTC, FRC students looking for meaningful outreach hours.
University & Adult Volunteers
Mentor teams, co-facilitate workshops, support curriculum design, or help with sponsorship and community outreach.
Great for: university students, educators, engineers, or professionals who want to give back.
Parents & Community Members
Help with logistics, check-in, safety, transport, photography, and community connections for events and projects.
Great for: adults who want to support youth and community STEM programs.
Volunteer Roles
Each volunteer role is connected to one or more of our Bridge Projects and the STEM Bridge Hub. You can choose one area or mix roles depending on your interests and schedule.
Event Crew (Workshops & Small Contests)
Set up and run LEGO workshops, library events, mall booths, and small contests. Support check-in, table setup, guiding students, and clean-up.
Bridge Focus: Awareness Gap & Resource Gap.
Program Mentors (FLL / FTC / FRC / Seniors)
Support student teams during practices, help seniors learn basic digital skills, and guide special needs participants step by step in STEM activities.
Bridge Focus: Generational Gap & Accessibility Gap.
Media, Translation & Storytelling
Take photos and videos, write bilingual captions, design simple graphics, and help publish stories on the STEM Bridge Hub and social media.
Bridge Focus: Awareness Gap & Global Collaboration.
Impact Data & STEM Bridge Hub Support
Help update attendance records, volunteer hours, sponsor logs, and toolkit uploads to keep the Impact Dashboard and Hub accurate.
Bridge Focus: All five gaps — providing the data that connects them.
Recycling & Kit Preparation
Sort LEGO donations, clean and inspect parts, rebuild kits, and prepare hardware for FTC/FRC Recycling Alliance partners.
Bridge Focus: Resource Gap & Sustainability.
Operations, Logistics & Front Desk
Support check-in, forms, schedules, material packing, and communication with parents and partners during events and project days.
Bridge Focus: Making every Bridge Project run smoothly and safely.
Where Your Help Fits in the Bridge Projects
This table shows how volunteer roles connect to our main projects. You can select one project to specialize in, or support multiple areas over time.
| Bridge Project | Example Volunteer Roles | Gap Type |
|---|---|---|
| LEGO & FLL Kit Donation Program | Recycling & Kit Preparation, Event Crew, Media & Storytelling | Resource Gap |
| Senior STEM “Cyber Bridge” | Program Mentor, Event Crew, Media & Storytelling | Generational Gap |
| Disability Organization STEM Day | Program Mentor (1v1 support), Event Crew, Data & Hub | Accessibility Gap |
| Community Events & Small Contests | Event Crew, Media & Storytelling, Operations & Logistics | Awareness Gap |
| Sponsor & Funding Support Line | Media & Storytelling, Data & Hub, Operations (reports) | Financial Gap |
What We Expect & What You Gain
Volunteer Expectations
- Commitment: Preferably at least 1–2 events or 6–10 hours per semester.
- Reliability: Arrive on time, communicate if you are sick or need to cancel.
- Safety & Respect: Follow FIRST Code of Conduct and CARAT Lab policies; create an inclusive, supportive environment for all participants.
- Teamwork: Work collaboratively with student leaders, mentors, and other volunteers.
- Reflection: Share feedback after events to help us improve the STEM Bridge Ecosystem.
What You Gain
- Real Impact: Directly support students, seniors, and special needs participants in hands-on STEM activities.
- Skills: Communication, leadership, teaching, event planning, data tracking, and problem-solving.
- Portfolio & References: Verified volunteer hours, recommendation letters (where appropriate), and showcase projects for applications.
- Community: Join a team of youth and mentors working together on FIRST-aligned impact projects.
Training & Support
We don’t expect you to know everything on day one. Every volunteer will receive simple orientation and ongoing support.
- Onboarding Session: Introduction to CARAT Lab, Bridge the Gap mission, safety guidelines, and project overview.
- Role-Specific Guides: Short checklists or one-page guides for each role (Event Crew, Mentor, Media, Data, etc.).
- Shadow & Co-Lead: New volunteers can shadow experienced team members before leading an activity.
- Debrief & Reflection: Short discussion after events to share wins, challenges, and ideas for improvement.
How to Become a Volunteer
| Step | What to Do | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose Your Role | Decide which volunteer role(s) and Bridge Project(s) you are most interested in. | Review the roles and matrix above. |
| 2. Submit Volunteer Form | Fill out a short form with your availability, interests, and background. | Contact / Volunteer Form (or local signup link) |
| 3. Attend Orientation | Join a brief training session before your first event or project shift. | We’ll confirm via email or messaging. |
Ready to Volunteer and Help Bridge the Gap?
Your time and energy can turn LEGO bricks into STEM futures, turn recycled parts into new robots, and turn ideas into real impact across communities.