Become a Docent

Volunteers provide visitors with a unique and personal experience and we are always looking for new volunteers to join our outreach team! There are many ways to get involved and we have a variety of opportunities — from behind the scenes at special events, to becoming a highly trained tree-ring “docent”.

Contact: Dr. Pamela Pelletier pamela@email.arizona.edu tel:520-621-0984

Docents are volunteer educators that are trained to work with a variety of audiences. The docent program provides engaging and informative docent-led tours, offering visitors a deeper understanding of dendrochronology scientific concepts, showcasing the exhibits and lab spaces. Additionally, through educational programming like field trips, community events, and STEM nights, our docent program aims to inspire curiosity and foster a love for science among participants of all ages. Docents play a crucial role in facilitating these experiences, creating interactive learning environments that encourage exploration and discovery.

Interested in becoming a docent? Contact Pamela Pelletier: outreach@ltrr.arizona.edu(link sends e-mail)  OR 520.621.0984

Docents must be 18 years of age or older, and must attend at least one of our training sessions offered throughout the year. Docents should be willing to commit to volunteering for at least 6 hours per semester, for at least one year after training is completed.

Junior docents - aged 12-17. Love tree-ring science and want to get involved? We have opportunities for junior docents to engage with the public. The junior docent program at the science museum offers young enthusiasts the opportunity to lead tours and actively engage with visitors, fostering their passion for science communication and education. Through participation in educational programming at the Lab or in the community, junior docents gain hands-on experience while inspiring their peers to explore the wonders of science in a fun and interactive way. Junior docents should be willing to commit to volunteering for at least 6 hours per semester, for at least one year after training is completed.

UArizona students can enroll in an independent study course SCI 499/599 for credit hours.

• They take tree-ring samples and artifacts to an exhibit at community engagement events and use those props to engage Laboratory guests in conversation.
• They may provide tours throughout the exhibit hall and Laboratory.
• They may assist with special events at the Laboratory or at off-campus events, including educational presentations.
• They may conduct a presentation in our educational classroom, either with schoolchildren or adults.

Contact:  Dr. Pamela Pelletier mailto:pamela@email.arizona.edu(link sends e-mail) tel:520-621-0984

The LTRR holds the world's largest and most diverse collection of wood specimens dedicated to dendrochronological research. We are currently part way through an ambitious multi-year project to transfer, organize, catalog, label and store these specimens into our purpose built archive. With many hundreds of thousands of specimens in the collection, there is much work still to do. In addition to the full-time curation team, and part-time student research assistants, there are opportunities for volunteers to assist with this important task.

If you are interested in helping, please contact the Curator of Collections, Dr. Peter Brewer (p.brewer@ltrr.arizona.edu) for more information.