Inspire the Next Generation of STEM Thinkers
Overview
Becoming a pen pal is more than a volunteer opportunity – it’s a chance to open a young mind to what’s possible.
Every year, we match thousands of curious middle schoolers with STEM professionals around the world for a simple but powerful exchange: hand-written letters.
Eight letters. One school year. A lifelong impact.
Registration is currently closed.
We’re full for the 2025-26 school year, but want to be first to know when registration reopens in July 2026?
Join our list and we’ll make sure you’re first to know when registration launches next year and send you info on other ways to get involved!
We encourage STEM professionals of all kinds to get involved with Letters to a Pre-Scientist! STEM professionals send and receive letters throughout a school year with a curious student. Pairs build a meaningful relationship by discussing STEM career pathways, higher education journeys, and how they’ve each overcome obstacles. Pen pals plant seeds that help students discover possibilities in STEM.
Recruitment of new STEM pen pals is open! Register to become a pen pal for the 2025-26 school year now!
Testimonials
What is the Letters to a Pre-Scientist Pen Pal Program?
Through a series of four rounds of letters exchanged between September and May, you’ll be paired with a student – called a pre-scientist – and together you’ll explore the world of STEM, swap stories, and build a personal connection.
You’ll be a window into a world they may never have seen before. And your words could be the reason they believe they belong in STEM.
Who Can Be a Pen Pal?
We welcome STEM professionals at all stages of their careers – undergrads, grad students, researchers, healthcare workers, industry experts, engineers, professors, coders, scientists, and beyond.
If you’re passionate about your work and want to encourage the next generation, you belong here.
🌍 Volunteers from around the globe are welcome.
✅ You must be 18+ and fluent in English.
Why Join?
- Spark Curiosity in students who may not know anyone in STEM
- Connect Meaningfully through a thoughtful, low-lift commitment
- Share Your Story and help a student see themselves in STEM
- Get as Much as You Give – many volunteers say they are the ones who walk away inspired
The Commitment
✅ 10 hours total across the school year
📨 4 letters written and mailed between August and May
💻 1–2 hours of online training
📅 Stay on schedule so every student gets their letter on time!
Other Ways to Support
💸 Want to help more students connect with a STEM role model?
Just $8/month sponsors one student’s participation.
🤝 Interested in getting your company or institution involved?
Reach out to Lucy Madden, LPS CEO, at Lucy.Madden@prescientist.org.
Can I participate?
We define STEM professional broadly. The main requirement is that you are enthusiastic about communicating with students, who we call pre-scientists!
We welcome volunteers from all different fields related to science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine and at many stages of their careers. This includes undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, professors, industry professionals, government employees, educators, healthcare professionals, engineers, and more. People from all over the world are encouraged to participate. Volunteers must be 18 or older and fluent in English to participate.
What’s the timeline and commitment?
We estimate this volunteer opportunity requires a commitment of approximately 10 hours spread out in chunks of 2 hours between August 2025 and May 2026.
During the summer, STEM professionals register to become a penpal for the upcoming school year. Volunteers then complete a 1-2 hour asynchronous online training to familiarize themselves with letter writing resources and best practices.
Approximately every other month, STEM pen pals receive a letter from their pen pal, write a reply, and mail it to the student’s school.
STEM pen pals commit to send their letters by certain dates throughout the year because teachers wait until they have a letter for every student before students open their letters together during a letter opening party. Matched pen pals who do not meet the deadlines will be dropped from the program and another STEM professional from the waiting list will be assigned to their student.
How else can I support?
If you have financial resources to share, consider making a donation. A contribution of $6/mo supports one student’s participation in the yearlong pen pal program.
Or, get your company or institution involved as a partner. Email Lucy, LPS CEO, at Lucy.Madden@prescientist.org to start a conversation.
How else can I support?
If you have financial resources to share, consider making a donation. A contribution of $6/mo supports one student’s participation in the yearlong pen pal program.
Or, get your company or institution involved as a partner. Email Lucy, LPS CEO, at Lucy.Madden@prescientist.org to start a conversation.