Volunteering supports the Exploratorium and promotes hands-on science, artistic expression, and educational innovation. Volunteers contribute to the community while gaining additional experience and new skills. They get to know each other at gatherings and special events and by sharing their ideas and experiences via an e-mail list. Volunteers may also attend and participate in lunchtime "Brown Bags" and film screenings at the museum. Individual volunteers sometimes host events or parties in order to keep in touch.

By engaging in the wide variety of volunteer opportunities possible at the museum, volunteers gain technical knowledge, learn how to work with the public, develop teaching skills, and refine work habits and management techniques. You may choose to enhance your resume by listing the experience and skills you’ve gained through volunteer work at the Exploratorium.

Though working as a volunteer at the Exploratorium doesn’t guarantee being hired for a paid position, volunteers with appropriate qualifications occasionally apply for available, paid staff positions through the HR department. In the most recent year (2003), five volunteers were offered paid positions.

While the museum doesn’t pay volunteers, it does offer other benefits, depending on the number of hours a volunteer accumulates. After a volunteer accumulates 40 hours, s/he receives a one-year Museum membership with associated benefits, including a 20% discount at the Exploratorium store.

All volunteers receive:

--A 20% discount at Café Exploratorium
--Invitations to Exploratorium "Brown Bags": During a lunch hour, visiting scholars, artists, and scientists present overviews of their current projects and answer questions
--Invitations to Volunteer Department gatherings, including a special-recognition event, usually held in April

--Invitations to activities cosponsored with the Presidio Community Activities Team
--Free admission to special events through promotions received by the Marketing Department
--Use of the Volunteer Lounge, including microwave and refrigerator
--If you itemize deductions on your federal and state tax forms, you may be able to claim a deduction for automobile mileage ($0.14/mile in 2004), tolls, BART, or MUNI fares (Consult a tax guide or CPA for more information.)
--Are you a senior? You may be eligible for mileage reimbursement and bus passes from RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). For more information, call (415) 731-3335 or write to RSVP at 1125 Quintara Street, San Francisco, CA 94166. Or check online: http://www.seniorcorps.org/joining/rsvp