A corporate volunteer speaking to participants at The Tech Challenge.

Volunteer

There are many important roles at The Tech Challenge that are filled by an army of passionate volunteers.

A corporate volunteer speaking to participants at The Tech Challenge.

Recruiting now:

Challenge Design Team

Ongoing, year round opportunity

Head Judges

Feb-Apr

Showcase Event Volunteers

April 25 & 26, 2026

Corporate Volunteers

Inspire the next generation of innovators! 

You can volunteer in a variety of ways including serving on our Challenge Design Team, becoming a Head Judge, and volunteering on the actual day of the Showcase. Learn more about all of these opportunities below. 

  

Challenge Design Team

Timing: This is an ongoing, year round opportunity.

This is a newly created volunteer opportunity! The Challenge Design Team contributes to the design of The Tech Challenge scenario for the following year by developing the rules, guidelines, and specifications of the challenge and collaborates with the Head Judges to ensure a successful challenge experience for teams and volunteers. 

 

  

Head Judges

Timing: February-April

This is a newly created volunteer opportunity! Help with recruitment of additional Judges to support The Tech Challenge Showcase, design and facilitate Judge Trainings, serve as judges in Test Trials and Showcase Days, and provide feedback to Judges to ensure a successful challenge experience for teams and volunteers.

Showcase Volunteers

  

Showcase Volunteer Roles

  

What to Expect

  • The Tech staff will train all volunteers in their roles
  • Bring a refillable water bottle and wear comfortable clothes. You may be required to walk a distance to your volunteer location.
  • A few days before the Showcase, details of when to arrive and where to park will be emailed to the address you registered with.
  • Snacks will be provided.
  • All day volunteers will be provided with lunch.
  • The event will be busy and noisy. 
  • If you have issues with noise levels or mobility, read the volunteer descriptions carefully. There are roles that may better suit your circumstances.

  

Judges

You can also become a judge for our showcase in the following ways:

  • Showcase Event Judge: Volunteer judges observe teams as they operate their devices, interview team members to understand their design process from brainstorming through to testing and final preparations for the event.
  • Team Journal Judge: Volunteers review team journals against provided rubrics. This is done asynchronously in the days leading up to the Showcase.

Requirements and restrictions for judges:

  • Must attend a 60-90 minute training session.
  • Judge training occurs on the same days as test trials, so you can stay and see test rig operations first-hand.
  • Judges are strongly encouraged to volunteer for more than one shift.
  • Engineering experience is not required.
  • You cannot be a judge and a team adviser the same year.
  • You cannot be a judge if you have a child on a team in this year’s Tech Challenge.

  

Judge Training

Judges must attend a training session to learn about the challenge, see the test rig and learn how to evaluate teams during the judging process. Training sessions are scheduled on the same days as test trials, so you can stay to see the rig operations.

Please note, you may not serve as both an adviser and a judge in the same year. You also cannot be a parent of a current team member.

Please check back for more information on training dates and times. For questions contact challenge@thetech.org.

  

Corporate Volunteers

The Tech’s staff will:

  • Support you and/or your group every step of the way.
  • Provide all necessary training appropriate to each volunteer’s position.
  • Provide recruiting information and materials.

You and/or your group will:

  • Recruit volunteers for the showcase.
  • Ensure that each volunteer registers for a position through our website.
  • Participate in a rewarding and inspiring event where you get to see our future innovators in action!