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:
| Task or To-Do Item | Dates |
|---|---|
| Volunteer application due | Friday, March 13 |
| In-person volunteer training, lesson talk-through | Wednesday, April 1 12:00 – 1:00 pm or 4:00 – 5:00 pm (Townsend 223) |
| Spring 2026 STEM Cubs | Saturday, April 4 |
Clicking the link below will open the volunteer application in a new window:
Apply now to be a STEM Cubs volunteer!
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.
Over the course of the day of the event, K-2nd Instructors will facilitate their 50-minute lesson six times, 3rd-5th instructors will facilitate their 75-minute lesson four times, and Middle Connections instructors will facilitate their 120-minute lesson twice. The coordinating team supports instructors’ lesson plan preparation, training of classroom volunteers, and overall lesson facilitation during the event.
The instructor application requires the submission of an initial draft of the lesson plan.
Creating your lesson plan:
- Creating a lesson for grades K-2
- Creating a lesson for grades 3-5
- Creating a lesson for Middle Connections (grades 6 through 8)
Important dates and deadlines:
| Task or To-Do Item | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application due (includes draft lesson, identification of two experiments or activities, and a list of materials needed for the lesson) | Friday, TBD |
| Required lesson plan development workshop | Thursday, TBD, at 4:00 pm (Townsend 223) |
| Additional lesson plan workshops (must attend one) | Tuesday, TBD, at 4:00 pm Wednesday, TBD, at 4:00 pm (Townsend 223) |
| Submit finalized supply list and lesson plan | Friday, March 13 |
| Complete Youth Protection Policy requirements | Friday, March 13 |
| Conduct at least one practice session for lesson with assigned volunteers | Week of March 30 |
| In-person volunteer training | Wednesday, April 1 12:00 – 1:00 pm or 4:00 – 5:00 pm |
| Spring 2026 STEM Cubs | Saturday, April 4 |
Clicking the link below will open the instructor application in a new window: