STEM Cubs is a free K-8th grade science, technology, engineering and mathematics program hosted jointly by Academic Access & Leadership Development, the College of Education & Human Development and the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri.

Here’s what you need to know to get involved as an instructor or volunteer!

Volunteers

Each STEM Cubs camp requires many volunteers to help with check-in, provide classroom support, and assist with activities.

Documentation of volunteer/service hours for clubs and organizations will be provided upon request. Additionally, STEM Cubs will accommodate departments, clubs and organizations that would like to volunteer as a group.

Important dates and deadlines for volunteers:

STEM Cubs volunteer application will re-open in May!

Instructors

Instructors are responsible for preparing a lesson with hands-on activities for K-8 students. The proposed lesson plan, if accepted, will be refined to make sure it fits appropriate education standards for the designated grade level and is engaging for young learners.

On the day of the event, K-5 Instructors will present their lesson four times (twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon) and Middle Connections instructors will present their lesson twice (once in the morning and once in the afternoon). For the time commitment required to prepare the lesson plan, prepare classroom volunteers, and facilitate the lesson during the event, instructors receive a stipend of $200. Co-instructor teams split the stipend evenly.

Instructor applications require the submission of the first draft of the lesson plan.

Creating your lesson plan:

• Creating a lesson for grades K-3
• Creating a lesson for grades 4 and 5
• Creating a lesson for Middle Connections (grades 6 through 8)

Important dates and deadlines for instructors:

Apply to be a STEM Cubs instructor!

Spring opportunities filled – apply now for summer 2025.