Project MICRO

Why Should I Volunteer?

RISE (Resources for Involving Scientists in Education) is a project of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council. Its website, http://www.nas.edu/rise, asks these questions, and then provides the answers. There's no need to repeat their excellent commentary here; please use the link.

Are you a scientist, engineer, or health care professional, or other technical professional?

Are you concerned about the quality or quantity of science education for K-12 students?

Would you like to make a positive contribution to your community?

If you are a professional or amateur microscopist, you're particularly valuable as a volunteer, because the light microscope is the best "tool of science" with which to introduce the methods, excitement and fascination of science. (Of course we in the Microscopy Society of America are prejudiced, but it's still true!)