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Volunteer Newsletter

February 2026

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Dear Subscriber First Name,

Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, but things are blossoming here at SAGF. We are in full swing of our Family Science Nights, our Lego unit Role Model program is starting up, and our social calendar is filling up fast!

Catch us at the Chase Center Sunday, March 1st as part of the Santa Cruz Warrior’s STEM festival.
Something in brewing between SAFG and Drake’s Dealership! We’ll be at the restaurant/taproom Thurs March 5th and 26th with Lego activities for all ages!

Finally, there are two more months left to turn your Target spending into funds for girls in STEM - make sure to send those Target Circle community points to SAFG!

With gratitude,

Elise Ricard

Volunteer and Events Manager
ericard@scientificadventures.org

Engagement Highlight

Two Amazing Nights of Family Fun!

Our 2026 Family Science Nights kicked off with “Engineering” at Korematsu Discovery Academy in Oakland and “Science in Your Home” at Sheldon Elementary in San Pablo.

15 teen volunteers from the De Anza High leadership class helped run activities like designing earthquake-proof buildings to composting.

Students and families enjoyed pizza, a raffle, and worked together to explore a variety of topics from static electricity to erupting kitchen chemistry.

Our amazing community partners included East Bay MUD, Headwaters Science Institute, and the Mecha Mantises robotics team.

Shoutouts!

Our generous partners at Degenkolb Engineers donated and assembled 1,000 Lego kits for our girls to take home at the end of the Lego unit. 21 amazing structural engineers and staff spent their Thursday evening placing 19,000 Lego pieces and 5,000 stickers into 1,000 bags! Our heartfelt thank you!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Hannah Pon and her team at the Neuroscience Foundation for writing and testing four neuroscience lessons for our girls to use over spring break camp this April!

Volunteer Opportunities

Single-day opportunity:
ROLE MODEL!

Single-day opportunity:
Family STEM Night Volunteer!

Assignments include:

Facilitating one of 10 STEM activity tables (with an introduction to the activity prior to event)
Setting/Cleaning up
Serving pizza

In high school? Ages 15+ are welcome to volunteer. Ages 13-14 are welcome with an accompanying adult.

Upcoming Family Science Nights:

Lake Elementary (San Pablo) - “Science in your Home”
Tuesday, February 10th
5-7pm (4pm set up)

Hoover Elementary (Oakland) - “Engineering”
Tuesday, February 24th
4-6pm (3pm set up time)

Nystrom Elementary (Richmond) - “Science in your Home”
Tuesday, March 10th
4:30-6:30pm (3:30pm set up)

Chavez Elementary (Richmond) - “Science in your Home”
Wednesday, March 25th
5-7pm (4pm set up)

Emerson Elementary (Oakland) - “Engineering”
Wednesday, April 1st
5-7pm (4pm set up)

To SIGN UP, learn more, or see the full list of dates:
📧Email volunteers@scientificadventures.org

Recuring Role:
Be a Classroom Volunteer!

We have space for weekly classroom assistants!

👩🏽‍🏫Support head teachers in hands-on STEM lessons
🧪Engaging the girls in hands-on STEM activities (Legos and Slime!)
🌟 Be a role model for K-6th grade girls

Example open assignments:

Oakland Academy of Knowledge (Oakland)
- Wednesdays, February-May
- 3:15-4:30pm AND/OR
- 4:30-5:30pm

To learn more:
📧Email volunteers@scientificadventures.org

Support Opportunities

Two minutes. Double the impact.

Did you know that many employers match donations to Scientific Adventures? We’ve made it easy to find out if yours is one of them. Look up your company and get everything you need in one place: scientificadventures.org/matching-gifts

SAFG is a Q1 Target Circle Beneficiary!

Shop at Target and looking for an easy way to give back?

We’re excited to announce that SAFG is featured in Target Circle! Vote for us in Q1 (Jan, Feb & March) in the Target app to direct Target funds that support our work. Here’s how:

After shopping, log into your Target app or “account” at Target.com:

✅ Click "Explore" next to Target Circle Benefits
✅ Click "Vote for non-profits"
✅ Select Scientific Adventures for Girls
✅ Add your votes and support girls in STEM!

Quick Read

Need an affirming read? Greater Good Magazine (UC Berkeley) published THIS ARTICLE on the power of volunteering to foster connection and community.

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