Get Involved with EYH

• Volunteering at EYH
• Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteering at EYH

EYH is only possible thanks to the time and effort of many Cornell graduate and undergraduate volunteers who contribute each year. If you're interested in helping us put on the best conference possible, please consider volunteering for the conference! It's a great experience and you can put it on your resume.

Workshop Leaders

Description: Workshop leaders are in charge of designing and running EYH's many workshops. These are the core of the EYH experience and provide hands-on experience with how interesting and exciting STEM can be. Workshop applications are due in November before the conference.

Some workshops also need extra volunteers to help run the activities on the day of the conference; workshop volunteers can sign up directly with Workshop Leaders or contact the Workshop Chairs.

Open To: Cornell graduate students¹.

Time Commitment: Workshop proposal in November, workshop prep in March, and daytime availability in April for your live presentation.

More Info: Workshop Leaders Page.

Lab Tours and Demos

Demos

Description: Help spark curiosity and excitement for STEM by hosting a hands-on demonstration at the Expanding Your Horizons Conference 2026! Demos are interactive, engaging activities that allow students to explore scientific concepts through observation, participation, and discussion. Demos are "tabletop" style, much like a science fair: the students will walk around various tables that are set up in a large atrium, and you will deliver your short demo a few times over.

Register your demo and help create a fun, inclusive, and memorable STEM experience for students.

Open To: Cornell faculty, graduate students, and staff.²

Time Commitment: The proposal is due by February 13th, 2026, and daytime availability is required from at least one member of your team on March 28, 2026 from 9:45am to 1:30pm.

Application Form: Please access and complete the EYH 2026 demos application form by 11:59 pm on Friday, February 13th, 2026.

Lab Tours

Description: Lab tours are intended to show the cutting-edge STEM facilities on the Cornell campus and the exciting work that happens in them.

Application for lab tours for EYH 2026 is closed.

Committee Chairs

Description: Committee Chairs work throughout the year to make sure every aspect of the conference runs smoothly. Check out the chairs page for more info on what chairs do. Chairs are chosen in the fall before the conference.

Open To: Cornell graduate students.

Time Commitment: Chairs work on EYH throughout the year. The exact timing and amount of work varies by position.

More Info: Contact the conference chair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of volunteers are needed?

EYH is entirely run by volunteers! Conference and Committee Chairs, Workshop Leaders, Science Demonstrators, Buddies, and General Volunteers are all Cornell-affiliated volunteers.

How do I register to volunteer?

To register as a general volunteer or as a Buddy, check out General Volunteers Page. To volunteer in another capacity, contact eyh@cornell.edu

What’s the difference between a Buddy and a general volunteer?

Buddies and general volunteers are both vital to the success of EYH. Buddies make the commitment to spend the full day accompanying a conference participant (or two) around campus, attending workshops, and serving as a role model and mentor to an aspiring young scientist. General volunteers may be any gender, volunteer for shorter parts of the day, and can do a wide variety of tasks.

What can Buddies expect on the day of the conference?

On the morning of the conference, Buddies will arrive early (usually around 9AM), check in, and receive breakfast and a t-shirt. Once students arrive and check in, Buddies will be paired with one or two students. The Buddy will stay with their assigned student(s) for the remainder of the day. Buddies and students will attend workshops, eat lunch, and view demos together. Buddies have the pleasure and responsibility of being a role model for young scientists while also making sure that said youngsters stay safe on campus. At the end of the day, Buddies will say goodbye to their students as they drop them off at the closing event (usually around 5PM). Buddies are invited to the volunteer reception after the conference.

What can general volunteers expect on the day of the conference?

General volunteers perform a wider range of tasks than Buddies, so every general volunteer’s experience will be unique. After registering to volunteer, you will choose the tasks and times that you would like. We do our best to give you your first choice, but cannot guarantee it. General volunteers are invited to the volunteer reception after the conference.

Are only women allowed to volunteer at EYH?

No! Anyone associated with Cornell is eligible to volunteer. General volunteers and Buddies may be of any gender, and participants will be paired with buddies of the same gender. EYH is committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Can someone who is not associated with Cornell volunteer with EYH?

Only Cornell students (undergrads and grad), faculty, and staff are eligible to volunteer with EYH. Anyone NOT affiliated with Cornell cannot volunteer, but can still help out by making a financial donation.

What if I have a severe allergy?

Anyone with (or without) a severe allergy is welcome to volunteer with EYH, but should take appropriate precautions. It is important to alert EYH organizers that you have an allergy. We can order allergen-free meals, but can only assure that they are truly allergen-free to the extent that the food supplier can. In some cases, it might be prudent for the volunteer to bring their own food, or to have an epi-pen on hand.

What if I have a disability?

We welcome people with disabilities to volunteer at EYH. Please communicate with us if you have special requirements so that we can best accommodate your needs.

What are other ways I can help out with EYH?

EYH is a student-organized conference. If you are interested in volunteering as a workshop leader or conference organizer, please contact eyh@cornell.edu.

Can you sign off on my volunteer hours?

Yes, if you bring the appropriate paperwork, our conference chair can sign off on your volunteer hours.

Footnotes

1. While undergraduate students are welcome to help design and lead activities, for liability reasons each application must involve and be submitted by Cornell graduate students (workshops) or Cornell faculty, graduate students, or staff (lab tours). Please contact the Workshop Chairs or Lab Tours Chairs respectively with related questions.^{^}
2. While undergraduate students are welcome to help design and lead demos, for liability reasons, each demo application must be submitted by Cornell faculty, graduate students, or staff. Please contact the Lab Tours and Demos Chairs with related questions.^{^}