Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL

Volunteer

At the Adler

Visitor Program Opportunities

Behind-the-Scenes Opportunities

Volunteer Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Procedure

Visitor Program Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities with the Visitor Program are exciting opportunities for volunteers to learn more about astronomy, the Adler, and science in general. Volunteers work with visitors of all ages. Volunteers are needed during the week and weekends and most positions require a minimum time commitment from the volunteer. Training for these positions is offered on a regular basis both on weekdays and weekends. Volunteer must be 17 and older, unless otherwise noted.

Spaceflight Exhibit Docent

Learn about human exploration of space by teaching others! Volunteer docents are needed for our newest spaceflight exhibits featuring the Liberty Bell 7 and Gemini 12. Docents will provide an exciting and interactive experience for visitors by sharing fascinating information and inspiring stories about the spacecraft and related spaceflight artifacts via gallery tours and educational activities.

Special Events Education Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to lead educational children's activities at Adler special events such as Far Out Friday and Astrovernights. This position is ideal for those new to astronomy who wish to learn more and teach others as well!

Telescope Interpreter

Create the opportunity for visitor to have an actual real-time astronomical observing experience. Learn how to operate many different kinds of telescopes and share your knowledge of the skies with Adler visitors.

Teen Volunteer Program

Designed especially for students wishing to fulfill their high school service learning requirement, this opportunity is a fun and unique way to learn about space science and share that knowledge with Adler visitors. Students must complete a 20- or 40-hour track. Please click on title for detailed information and requirements.

New positions are created regularly. Check back often to see what's new!

Behind-the-Scenes Opportunities

Many of the behind-the-scenes opportunities may be limited to weekdays during regular museum hours but do offer flexible schedules. Most training for these positions is scheduled individually with museum staff. Volunteers may be able to begin immediately. Behind-the-Scenes volunteers usually work one-on-one with museum staff or other volunteers. Volunteer must be 16 and older.

Data Coordinator

Assist in data entry for multiple short- and long-term projects. Our Data Coordinators experience working in many different departments, often all in one day! This very flexible position can be done on weekends or weekdays.

External Communications Assistant

Learn what happens behind-the-scenes in the fundraising department of a museum. Assist with a variety of administrative areas, including data entry, donation fulfillment, mailings, and occasionally with special events. Every day is different volunteering for this department! M-F only.

Collections Volunteer

Work with our world-renowned collection of historical artifacts, photographs, rare books, and more. Responsibilities include labeling artifacts, taking measurements, researching data on the instruments and entering information into a computer database. If you are interested in hands-on experience with amazing artifacts, this is the opportunity for you! M-F only.

New positions are created regularly. Check back often to see what's new!

Volunteer Benefits

These are some of the benefits that you get when you become a volunteer at the Adler.

• Become part of a dynamic scientific and educational environment.
• Receive the latest information about astronomical discoveries, special events and Chicago happenings through the volunteer newsletter.
• Free general admission to the Adler and free admission to theater shows.
• Free or discounted enrollment in education classes, workshops and lectures.
• Discounts at Galileo's restaurant and the Planetarium's gift shops.
• Free or reduced admission to many of Chicago's museums and cultural institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements?

• Most Volunteer positions require a minimum time commitment. This may vary from 3 to 15 hours per month for a full year.
• Set a regularly scheduled time to volunteer.
• For the majority of positions volunteers need to be at least 17 years old.
• Completion of orientation, training and all forms.

What do I need to know about astronomy?

Knowledge of Astronomy is not mandatory! Adler volunteers have a wide range of experiences, knowledge and interest. A common thread among our volunteers is a curiosity for science and the mysteries of space. There are a variety of positions for many levels of expertise and interest designed to accommodate your schedule and all volunteers participate in training and orientation.

How do I find the best volunteer match for me?

With the Volunteer Program Manager, you will match your skills, interest and talents with the wide array of museum staff needs.

Application Procedure

After you complete and submit the application to the Volunteer Department, you will be contacted for an interview. We can then discuss the best fit between the museum's needs and your interests and availability.

Scheduling your volunteer orientation and/or training will occur after you have accepted a volunteer position. You should expect a call from us to make these arrangements.

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION(PDF)


		Volunteer At the Adler Visitor Program Opportunities Behind-the-Scenes Opportunities Volunteer Benefits Frequently Asked Questions Application Procedure Visitor Program Opportunities Volunteer opportunities with the Visitor Program are exciting opportunities for volunteers to learn more about astronomy, the Adler, and science in general. Volunteers work with visitors of all ages. Volunteers are needed during the week and weekends and most positions require a minimum time commitment from the volunteer. Training for these positions is offered on a regular basis both on weekdays and weekends. Volunteer must be 17 and older, unless otherwise noted. Spaceflight Exhibit Docent Learn about human exploration of space by teaching others! Volunteer docents are needed for our newest spaceflight exhibits featuring the Liberty Bell 7 and Gemini 12. Docents will provide an exciting and interactive experience for visitors by sharing fascinating information and inspiring stories about the spacecraft and related spaceflight artifacts via gallery tours and educational activities. Special Events Education Volunteer Volunteers are needed to lead educational children's activities at Adler special events such as Far Out Friday and Astrovernights. This position is ideal for those new to astronomy who wish to learn more and teach others as well! Telescope Interpreter Create the opportunity for visitor to have an actual real-time astronomical observing experience. Learn how to operate many different kinds of telescopes and share your knowledge of the skies with Adler visitors. Teen Volunteer Program Designed especially for students wishing to fulfill their high school service learning requirement, this opportunity is a fun and unique way to learn about space science and share that knowledge with Adler visitors. Students must complete a 20- or 40-hour track. Please click on title for detailed information and requirements. New positions are created regularly. Check back often to see what's new! Behind-the-Scenes Opportunities Many of the behind-the-scenes opportunities may be limited to weekdays during regular museum hours but do offer flexible schedules. Most training for these positions is scheduled individually with museum staff. Volunteers may be able to begin immediately. Behind-the-Scenes volunteers usually work one-on-one with museum staff or other volunteers. Volunteer must be 16 and older. Data Coordinator Assist in data entry for multiple short- and long-term projects. Our Data Coordinators experience working in many different departments, often all in one day! This very flexible position can be done on weekends or weekdays. External Communications Assistant Learn what happens behind-the-scenes in the fundraising department of a museum. Assist with a variety of administrative areas, including data entry, donation fulfillment, mailings, and occasionally with special events. Every day is different volunteering for this department! M-F only. Collections Volunteer Work with our world-renowned collection of historical artifacts, photographs, rare books, and more. Responsibilities include labeling artifacts, taking measurements, researching data on the instruments and entering information into a computer database. If you are interested in hands-on experience with amazing artifacts, this is the opportunity for you! M-F only. New positions are created regularly. Check back often to see what's new! Volunteer Benefits These are some of the benefits that you get when you become a volunteer at the Adler. • Become part of a dynamic scientific and educational environment. • Receive the latest information about astronomical discoveries, special events and Chicago happenings through the volunteer newsletter. • Free general admission to the Adler and free admission to theater shows. • Free or discounted enrollment in education classes, workshops and lectures. • Discounts at Galileo's restaurant and the Planetarium's gift shops. • Free or reduced admission to many of Chicago's museums and cultural institutions. Frequently Asked Questions What are the requirements? • Most Volunteer positions require a minimum time commitment. This may vary from 3 to 15 hours per month for a full year. • Set a regularly scheduled time to volunteer. • For the majority of positions volunteers need to be at least 17 years old. • Completion of orientation, training and all forms. What do I need to know about astronomy? Knowledge of Astronomy is not mandatory! Adler volunteers have a wide range of experiences, knowledge and interest. A common thread among our volunteers is a curiosity for science and the mysteries of space. There are a variety of positions for many levels of expertise and interest designed to accommodate your schedule and all volunteers participate in training and orientation. How do I find the best volunteer match for me? With the Volunteer Program Manager, you will match your skills, interest and talents with the wide array of museum staff needs. Application Procedure After you complete and submit the application to the Volunteer Department, you will be contacted for an interview. We can then discuss the best fit between the museum's needs and your interests and availability. Scheduling your volunteer orientation and/or training will occur after you have accepted a volunteer position. You should expect a call from us to make these arrangements. DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION(PDF)