Opportunities From: Volunteers United

A new experience is coming to Discovery World this summer: Mobilab! Mobilab is a hands-on lab where young explorers use trial and error to design and build their own mini cars using modular pieces. Get ready to craft different toy vehicles and put them through some wild challenges. Tinker, test, and tweak until your creation zooms just the way you like it! 

We are looking for volunteers to add to the Mobilab experience. Volunteers will be facilitating an activity about stability near the Mobilab exhibit. Use identical water bottles filled with various levels of water to discuss centers of gravity, helping guests make hypotheses and use logical thinking. Guests can then take the knowledge they've gained from the activity to improve their vehicles in Mobilab! 

This position will include interacting with our guests. Training will be provided. 

This position is mainly seated. It does include carrying a bin of supplies to the table. Assistance can be given on carrying if needed. Volunteers will be seated at a table in our Lower Mezzanine space, near the Mobilab exhibit. 

Mobilab is a temporary exhibit, and it will be at Discovery World May 16 – September 6, 2026. Volunteers for this activity will be needed only between these dates. 

Volunteer shifts are 2 hours long, and we ask that volunteers try to serve at least one shift per week. Discovery World is currently open seven days a week. 

Summer Camp Buddies work within the direction of a Summer Camp Educator to assist in camp activities and supervise campers during our week-long summer camps. Summer Campers are rising 1st to 8th graders.

Volunteer opportunities are available Monday through Friday, June 8 - August 28. Opportunities are available for the following times:

-Spend an entire camp with us! Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4pm
-Spend the mornings or afternoons with us. Come in the morning or afternoon, before or after camp lunches. Shift would be about 3-4 hours long depending on timing.
-Looking for more flexibility? Join us once a week (or more) for recess duty! Come and play with the campers 11:30am-1:30pm.

DUTIES

Under the direction of our Education Team Members, Summer Camp Buddies will:

-Assist Campers with projects
-Ensure that Campers stick together while walking through the building
-Play with Campers at recess

Summer Camp Buddies will work directly with our Campers, so a desire to work with or interact with children is preferred. Please note we do ask that our younger Volunteers work with our younger Campers, i.e., if you have just finished your freshman year of high school, we would ask you to sign up for the 1st grade camp if it is still available.

Campers enter Discovery World through the Pavilion space, located on the technology side of our building, right off the Power On exhibit. The Pavilion has large, floor to ceiling windows on multiple sides, with additional artificial lighting on the ceiling. Noise levels will vary based on the number of people in the space.

Camps will take place in one of ten different lab spaces throughout Discovery World. Lab spaces vary in size, décor, windows, and location. Depending on the lab there could be no natural light or large windows. Most lab spaces are on the second floor of the technology building, with one on the lower mezzanine of the same, and two on the second floor of the Aquatarium.

This position includes periods of standing/walking but may be seated for portions of the shift. May include bending and twisting as needed for interaction and tidying.

Online background check for those 18+ is required. Liability and Confidentiality Waiver signature required.

TIMES NEEDED

Camps run 9:30am – 4pm, Monday-Thursday, and 9:30am – 3:30pm on Friday.

MINUMUM AGE

14- You must have completed your freshman year of high school to be eligible.

Engage with museum guests at the All Aboard model railroad exhibit! The five train, 35-foot HO-scale layout features Milwaukee landmarks. The Conductor may be tasked with basic daily upkeep but will mainly engage with guests of all ages during open hours. The main goal of this role is to answer questions about the layout and facilitate understanding of how railroads work and have impacted the development of Milwaukee and innovation in general. Shifts available Wednesday-Sunday 9am-4pm.

Training and background materials provided.

Conductors can be seated for portions of their shift, but some standing, and walking will be required.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE, APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS

AGE

Minimum age 16

REQUIREMENTS

Online background check for those over 18 and Liability Waiver and Confidentiality Policy required

USEFUL SKILLS TO HAVE OR SKILLS YOU CAN DEVELOP

Public speaking, organization, group management, time management, knowledge of railroad history in Milwaukee and the Midwest

There are invaders in the Great Lakes! Engage with guests to teach them about the aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes Future exhibit. Hosts will use a variety of preserved specimens and occasionally a live specimen to educate visitors about the damaging effects common aquatic invasive species have on the Great Lakes ecosystem, as well as control and prevention methods.

Training and background materials provided.

AIS Cart Hosts will need to stand most of their shift and be able to push the cart into position.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE, APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS

AGE

Minimum age 14 years old

REQUIREMENTS

Online background check for those over 18 and Liability Waiver and Confidentiality Policy required

USEFUL SKILLS TO HAVE OR SKILLS YOU CAN DEVELOP

Public speaking, organization, group management, time management, invasive species knowledge and management.