Museum or science center volunteering
Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers
Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers is a volunteer program run by Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, CA. Open to: grades 10 to 12.
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- Status
- Opens seasonally
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- Annual tuition $1
About the program
The foundation of Chabot's three-year Oakland Space Academy workforce program for high school students.
Galaxy Explorers lead science demonstrations, support planetarium shows, and work on engineering, climate tech, or digital media projects. Older members can become mentors and paid interns.
Key facts
- Run by
- Chabot Space & Science Center
- Where
- Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12High school students typically enter the summer before 10th grade and remain through 12th; Oakland public and charter school students encouraged
- Commitment
- 2 floor shifts per month in the school year, 3 per month in summer, plus Inquiry Teams that meet 7 times per semester
- Applications
- Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)Deadline: March 31 (date unconfirmed; check official page)
- Cost
- Annual tuition $1,500; need-based Career Access Program covers tuition and offers stipends
- To apply
- Application
- Information session
- Good fit for
- Engineering and Computer Science, Education
Making the most of it on a college application
- Stay long enough to take on more responsibility, such as a second year or training new volunteers.
- Keep a log of hours and a few specific moments. They become the activities list entry and, often, an essay.
- Pair it with something that shows the same interest from another side, such as a class, a competition, or a summer program.
Email me the Galaxy Explorers details
A link to this page, with the age rule and application window, plus similar programs.
More in the Bay Area
- Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)
Volunteering · Sausalito, CA
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Exploratorium High School Explainer Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 18
- When to apply
- School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship Program
Internship · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 11 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs
Summer program · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 7 to 12
- When to apply
- Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday Helpers
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)Volunteering · Museum or science center | Sausalito, CA | 15 and up | At least a 3-hour commitment; regular, seasonal, or one-time shifts | Year-round |
| California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | 2 or 3 years through high school graduation; after school and Saturdays during the school year, weekdays in summer | Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Exploratorium High School Explainer ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 18 | Entire school-year or summer session; more than 60 hours of training | School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 11 to 12 | Saturday workshops in May plus full-time summer placement, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, June 1 to August 7, 2026 | Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research ProgramsSummer program · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 7 to 12 | One-week sessions in June and July 2026; optional residential add-on for some sessions | Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday HelpersVolunteering · Museum or science center | San Jose, CA | 14 and up | At least six shifts of 3-4 hours across November 21-29 and December 19 to January 3; one 3.5-hour orientation | Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
All museum programs in the Bay AreaEngineering and Computer Science opportunitiesEducation opportunitiesEvery opportunity
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to join Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers?
Grades 10 to 12. High school students typically enter the summer before 10th grade and remain through 12th; Oakland public and charter school students encouraged
How many hours does Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers require?
2 floor shifts per month in the school year, 3 per month in summer, plus Inquiry Teams that meet 7 times per semester
When does Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers take applications?
Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) Deadline: March 31 (date unconfirmed; check official page).
What do you need to apply?
Application, Information session.
Sources and method
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/chabot-galaxy-explorers.
When quoting a figure, include its data year and population, and retain its source link. Reuse terms.
