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 | TBA |
| In-person volunteer training, lesson talk-through | July 15 |
| Summer 2026 STEM Cubs | Saturday, July 18 |
Clicking the link below will open the volunteer application in a new window:
Apply soon 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) | June 3 |
| Required lesson plan development workshop | June 10 |
| Additional lesson plan workshops (must attend one) | TBA |
| Submit finalized supply list and lesson plan | July 1 |
| Complete Youth Protection Policy requirements | July 1 |
| Conduct at least one practice session for lesson with assigned volunteers | July 13 |
| In-person volunteer training | July 15 |
| Summer 2026 STEM Cubs | Saturday, July 18 |
Clicking the link below will open the instructor application in a new window: