Volunteer for CAGIS

What do CAGIS Volunteers do?

CAGIS Volunteers (18+) are science, technology, trades, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals, parents, teachers, apprentices, post-secondary students, and other interested members of the community of all genders. They help in a number of ways, both at in-person events or through our Virtual program. The time commitment for a volunteer is approximately 4 hours per month and the main responsibilities include:

help to brainstorm, organize, and plan STEM events for members
help with activities and supervision at events
do STEM outreach and activities at special events
host a CAGIS event in an area of expertise
help to run a virtual activity at a CAGIS Virtual session
host a CAGIS Virtual session in an area of expertise

What our volunteers say about us

“I saw I could make an impact. By showing the things I was interested in, I could inspire someone else to be interested, too.”

LexieCAGIS Volunteer

"It has been a pleasure volunteering with CAGIS over the last 7 years. Not only have I gotten to organize events like the Chemistry of Tie Dye, I've also had the opportunity to learn a lot about different STEM topics like the science of ice skating, fossils and dinosaurs, solar power and electronics, to name a few!"

CarineCAGIS Volunteer

For me, volunteering with CAGIS is like finding a second family – the community, youth, and staff are all great! I really feel like I belong and I have a chance to give back to my community and to youth interested in STEM.

GerryCAGIS Coordinator

Hands-on STEM programming truly helped me discover my love for science. Volunteering with CAGIS gives me the opportunity to become the role model I once looked up to and inspire youth to pursue their passions.

MadynCAGIS Coordinator

Be a STEM Expert

As a volunteer CAGIS STEM Expert, your name will be entered into a database of individuals with expertise in various topics. You may be consulted about writing or advising on a particular topic, serving on a panel, or being featured as a role model in our newsletter, social media channels, or other outreach initiatives.

If you aren’t available when you are consulted, no problem – you can refer us to another expert or we can contact others in our network.

Host an Event

CAGIS hosts include STEM professionals, companies and industries, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals with other areas of expertise who are familiar with STEM (e.g. the physics of skating).

Our events often occur at the host’s workplace to give participants a behind-the-scenes view of STEM in action. When a workplace is not conducive to hosting, we can book a room for the event instead. Our events include some information about the host’s area of expertise and fun, hands-on activities. CAGIS will discuss the outline of the event with you and can help brainstorm activities to ensure the event is engaging and age-appropriate.

Start a Chapter in your City

CAGIS chapters are run by volunteers who meet regularly to plan monthly events for their members. CAGIS coordination teams are made up of diverse groups of volunteers including post-secondary students, STEM professionals, parents, high school students, teachers, and more. CAGIS provides training, mentorship, and oversight of new and continuing chapters. CAGIS also provides membership administration and other support.

City-based Chapters

hold events for girls and gender-diverse youth who live in or near a particular city
are open to girls and gender-diverse youth within the region
often hold events at the workplace of the presenter and sometimes at rooms the chapter books at a local university, college, library, or community centre

Community-based Chapters

hold events for a particular group of girls and gender-diverse youth who are part of a certain community
are open to girls and gender-diverse youth within the region
often hold events at the workplace of the presenter and sometimes at rooms the chapter books at a local university, college, library, or community centre
examples include chapters that are formed in a school, a community centre, or for a particular community within a wider region

Be a Teen Ambassador

Inspire your peers!

This highly competitive program is for Canadian female and gender-diverse teens aged 13-17 with an interest in science, technology, trades, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Limited space is available so we encourage all applicants to think carefully about their submission. Visit our Application Tips page before applying.

Teen Ambassador applications for the 2024-2025 year have closed. The next round of applications is expected to open in summer 2025.

Requirements

Participate in 12 or more CAGIS Virtual events with your camera on. Most of these sessions will be your choice. CAGIS may specifically request the participation of teen ambassadors at certain sessions.
Attend meetings to share your thoughts and opinions.
Share your experiences with CAGIS periodically in written and/or video form. A subset may be shared publicly, with your permission (optional).
Be an ambassador for CAGIS among your peers and, if you feel comfortable, online on social media.
Work on exciting, special projects with CAGIS and other teen ambassadors.
There may be additional optional opportunities throughout the year.

Benefits

Receive free CAGIS Virtual membership ($200 value).
Meet and interact with amazing experts in STEM fields.
Interact with other youth who love STEM.
Participate in fun and engaging virtual sessions.
Be a role model for younger kids and teens.
Count volunteer hours toward requirements in your jurisdiction.
Gain valuable experience to build your resumé.
Be eligible for letters of reference.