8 AI Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
For those with a passion for technology and artificial intelligence (AI), volunteer opportunities in this field provide a unique blend of practical experience and personal growth. Engaging in AI-related volunteer work not only enhances your understanding of cutting-edge technologies but also demonstrates your commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
Volunteering in AI showcases your ability to apply technical skills in real-world scenarios, collaborate with diverse teams, and solve complex problems—all attributes highly valued by universities.
In this blog, we'll explore 8 exciting AI volunteer opportunities tailored for high school students.
1. Volunteer with AI for Oceans
Code.org invites volunteers to contribute to its mission of making computer science education accessible to all K-12 students, with a special focus on reaching underrepresented groups such as young women. Volunteers can engage in various roles, including teaching the Hour of Code, being guest speakers, or committing to year-round involvement.
The Hour of Code is a free introduction to computer science, featuring engaging activities and videos suitable for learners of all skill levels. By volunteering for Hour of Code, you will help teach fundamental computer science concepts to K-12 students nationwide.
Code.org values a diverse pool of volunteers and encourages participation from professionals and students of all backgrounds. Additionally, volunteers can assist in translating tutorials into multiple languages, helping to expand global access to computer science education.
Location: Multiple locations available along with remote work
Time Commitment: Flexible and depends on the work you pick
Girls Who Code is an organization dedicated to encouraging high school girls to pursue education in computer science and data science. They offer various summer programs and a college program that fosters a supportive community for students studying computer science at the college level. High school students can volunteer by participating in school-level clubs.
Many schools already have Girls Who Code clubs that host regular seminars and fun coding activities. If your school doesn't have a club, you can apply to start one directly on their website. In these clubs, you can share your data science expertise with middle school students, typically after school hours or on weekends.
Location: One of the Girls Who Code clubs or your high school
Time Commitment: Flexible and depends on you
3. Become a Mentor at Science Buddies
Science Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing K-12 science education by offering valuable resources. To qualify as a volunteer, you must be at least a 10th grader with prior experience in science fairs or projects. You should have a solid understanding of scientific principles and maintain high grades (A's or B's) in science and math courses.
As a volunteer, you will mentor and guide students on their science projects and respond to general scientific inquiries through the 'Ask an Expert' online forum. Additionally, you can share your project ideas, including those related to data science, and engage directly with other participants on the forum. Exceptional mentors may also be eligible for a cash prize!
Location: Virtual
Time Commitment: 30 minutes per week, from September through May
4. Women in AI
Women in AI (WAI) was created for dedicated individuals passionate about artificial intelligence and promoting diversity in the tech industry. As a WAI volunteer, you'll contribute to empowering women in AI through various roles such as event organization, community engagement, content creation, and mentorship. This opportunity allows you to work alongside industry leaders, gain invaluable experience, and support the mission of creating an inclusive AI ecosystem.
By volunteering with WAI, you will help bridge the gender gap in AI, foster a supportive community, and inspire future generations of women in technology. Whether you are an AI professional or a student, your skills and enthusiasm can make a significant impact.
Location: Virtual
Time Commitment: Flexible and depends on you
5. National Inventors Hall of Fame’s STEM Leadership Intern Summer Program
The Leadership Intern Program at the National Inventors Hall of Fame provides high school students in grades 10-12 the opportunity to engage with young learners through Camp Invention. As a leadership intern, you will mentor participants in STEM concepts, encourage creativity, and help develop an innovative mindset.
This role offers practical experience working alongside educators and children, enhancing your communication and leadership skills. You can earn up to 40 volunteer hours, which is beneficial for graduation requirements and college applications. At the end of the program, you'll receive a letter of recognition from the USPTO, making it a noteworthy addition to your resume.
Location: Volunteer opportunities are available at Camp Invention locations nationwide
Time Commitment: The program dates and hours vary by location
As an AI4Good volunteer, you will collaborate with a team of like-minded individuals on cutting-edge AI projects. You will assist in developing and testing AI models and applications, participate in brainstorming sessions to generate innovative solutions for real-world problems, and gain hands-on experience in AI technologies and methodologies.
Your involvement will enhance your college applications and resumes with meaningful, impactful volunteer experience. Additionally, you'll receive mentorship from AI professionals, providing insights and guidance for your academic and career journey. Most importantly, you will make a tangible difference in the world by contributing to projects that aim to create positive social change.
Location: Virtual
Time Commitment: 1 – 3 hours a week
Changing The Present is a non-profit organization engaged in charitable work across the USA. They utilize gift cards to fund their operations, allowing recipients to donate to any of the select charities partnered with Changing The Present.
The organization offers year-round volunteer opportunities and recruits high-achieving students as volunteer interns in areas such as Computer Science, Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Google Analytics, and related fields.
Location: Virtual
Time Commitment: 4 to 40 hours per week, and the volunteering duration is flexible
8. CDC’s Student Worksite Experience Program – Volunteer Service
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the USA's national public health agency. Just like in other fields, big data plays a vital role in healthcare, and the CDC actively utilizes data science techniques in its research.
The CDC offers valuable opportunities for students, including the Student Worksite Experience Program – Volunteer Service program. Through this program, students can volunteer with various Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs).
Volunteers typically work on projects that teach them how to collect and analyze data, applying these skills to enhance public health. Additionally, students can earn academic credit for their work at the CDC, making it a rewarding educational experience.
Location: Virtual/ Depends on the project you are allowed
Time Commitment: 6 Months
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - Girls Who Code Logo