National Lab Day is "a nationwide initiative to build local communities of support that will foster ongoing collaborations among volunteers, students and educators. "

Volunteers, university students, scientists, engineers, other STEM professionals and, more broadly, members of the community are working together with educators and students to bring discovery-based science experiences to students in grades K-12. When an educator posts a project, our system will help them get the resources needed to bring that project to fruition.

So, K-12 teachers post information about their projects and NLD helps them find equipment, funding and scientific mentors.

For example, here is a description of a project in several schools in the area, including Medford, Hyde Park, South Boston and Springfield:

We are all experts! In our careers, in the computer lab, on the basketball court, in the garden, or in the kitchen – YOU are an expert at something. Citizen Schools gives you the opportunity to teach what you know – in your professional career or personal pursuits – to help middle school students learn real world skills and get excited about learning. Remember that teacher who sparked a passion in you? Here’s your chance to do the same. What we are looking for: No teaching experience is necessary. The volunteer experience lasts about 12 weeks. Volunteers commit to about 3-4 hours a week which includes lesson preparation and the weekly 90 minute apprenticeship session.

But this project in Hyde Park needs just one person:

I have 3 electric balances that were donated by a local university, but I don’t know how to set them up, get them working…

I also have a couple of Physics demos that I need help setting up and getting running.

In Fall River, a teacher needs help setting up a lab:

I would like to put together a comprehensive “toolkit” to perform some basic chemistry and physics type labs in my classroom. This would encompass labs that explore things like chemical and physical interactions, phase changes, distance versus time graphs, etcetera. A fume hood would be wonderful and possibly a flame cabinet and chemicals. As far as the physics portions would go, maybe some carts that could be used for distance versus time graphing.

In northern Maine, a teacher has this request:

We are in desperate need for soil sampling kits to help our school garden project. We are working to create a sustainable garden project that would involve the community and school. The goal is for the students to benefit from fresh, local food that would supplement our lunch program and provide healthy snacks to our entire Pre-K through eighth grade students.

I am working to build a curriculum that integrates multiple contents and specifically support our three science areas: Life, Earth and Physical science.

We are also in need of hand tools since this is a project without a school budget to support our work. The soil kits will help us determine what is needed for the greatest harvest and how to rotate our crops while looking at chemical releases and soil formation.