Volunteer To Inspire A Future Ready STEM Workforce
Why volunteer? Volunteering allows you to utilize your skills and talents to positively impact a student who might not have access to them otherwise. Underrepresented students need strong role models and can significantly benefit from spending time with STEM professionals. Additionally, we couldn’t execute our mission without our amazing volunteers, who help us with every aspect of programming, whether mentoring a team, judging an essay or model, or sharing their career experiences with a classroom of students.
Please reach out to Theresa Wolf at twolf@stemforward.org or 414-221-7720 with questions. Thank you!
Volunteer your time and talent!
Register to be added to our volunteer database.
New this year! We’re seeking volunteers to support our partnership with MATC and help bring the Mobile STEM Lab to local schools.
What to expect: As a volunteer, you’ll assist with setting up the lab at the school, engaging 4th–8th grade students in a hands-on automation activity, and packing up the equipment afterward. STEM Forward will share your schedule and reporting details ahead of your shift. Thank you for helping make this experience possible!
Register Today to Be a Volunteer Judge for Future City Competition
Did you know we recruit over 140 judges each year to support the Future City Competition? We’re seeking judges to join us for this year’s competition, where middle school students will tackle the theme “Farm to Table” by designing innovative, sustainable systems to feed a city 100 years in the future. As a judge, you’ll have the opportunity to inspire the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers while engaging with creative ideas that connect STEM, sustainability, and food systems. Your expertise and feedback make this incredible learning experience possible!
We have two judging opportunities:
Essay Judges: Review and score 3–5 essays (up to 1,500 words) virtually in mid- to late December. This typically takes 2–4 hours.
Competition Judges: Join us in person at the Wisconsin Regional Competition on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The day includes a brief orientation followed by seven team presentations in a panel format.
Sara Feuling, AEM
Volunteers judging teams during the Engineering Machine Design Contest at Discovery World.
“As a young leader in STEM, I am continuously looking for ways to engage with and encourage the next generation of our local STEM leaders. One of my favorite ways to do that is with STEM Forward.
I have been involved with STEM Forward for nearly ten years. I first got involved as a mentor with the Future City Competition and am now part of the Regional Planning Committee. I have also been a judge for the Future City Competition, the Engineering Machine Design Contest, and Contrapt Wisconsin. When volunteering at any of these program competitions, I know I’m in for an exciting and truly rewarding day, interacting with middle and high school STEM students and serving as an ambassador for STEM. Everything done by STEM Forward is done with purpose by a staff that supports our local youth and appreciates their volunteers. I am already looking forward to the next opportunity to volunteer with STEM Forward!”
View Pictures From Past STEM Competitions
