Open Labs is always looking for more student scientists to help inspire the next generation of researchers. As a graduate student volunteer, there are three primary ways you can contribute to the Open Labs chapter at Penn. Even if you aren't sure about committing to one of the roles below, we encourage to join our mailing list and attend our events.
Speak at our Science Cafe Events
Once a semester, Open Labs puts on a Science Cafe where graduate student-scientists give age-appropriate, TED-style presentations to aspiring young students. We typically have four speakers at each event and are always looking for speakers from all corners of academia, including engineering, chemistry, physics, social, economic, and medical sciences.
Help with logistics of Open Labs events
If you don't want to be on-stage at our events, we can use your help setting up chairs, audio-visual, and refreshments. It also helps to have graduate students passionate about science attend our events, as there are often many informal social interactions that allow you to share your research and expertise with young students.
Join the Executive Board!
Open Labs is run entirely by graduate student volunteers in their free time. It takes a village to plan, coordinate, and setup our Science Cafe events and we could always use more help. We typically meet about once a month to discuss planning, logistics, and new opportunities for science outreach on campus. We are actively seeking someone to fill the following roles, but we would love to have you on the team if you can help in other ways:
Finance Chair
Director (starting Fall 2018)
If you have any interest in being part of the Open Labs community at Penn, please fill out the (no obligation) form below to get involved and join our mailing list.