The 2025 Statewide Science Bowls and the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair are coming up in just a few months! As these exciting events draw closer, we’re highlighting some of our amazing volunteers who are so crucial to these competitions.

This month, we’re focusing on a volunteer who has served in many roles - Peyton Battis. If you’ve attended one of our annual STEM competitions in the past few years, chances are you’ve interacted with Peyton. For many years, Peyton has volunteered for Science Bowl as a runner, question judge, and timekeeper (and in fact has led the training for timekeepers!). Peyton has also aided during our State Science Fair at the sign-in desk, help desk, and our ever popular STEM button making station. During STEM Days at the Minnesota State Fair, Peyton helps spread the word about the Minnesota Academy of Science to fair-goers at our booth. When not volunteering for one of our programs, Peyton works at Medtronic as a chemist.

We were excited to hear about Peyton’s experiences with volunteering for our programs! We hope you enjoy the following interview with Peyton - and that maybe it will inspire you to volunteer for one of our upcoming programs :)!

Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS): How long have you been volunteering with our programs?

Peyton: I have been volunteering with MAS for many years. I started by volunteering for the Science Bowls back in 2015. I absolutely loved volunteering for those events, however I then moved out of state until 2018. I started volunteering again in 2019 for the Science Bowls and haven’t stopped since. I even volunteered while the Bowls were online, which was quite the challenge for the volunteers and participants. I started helping at other smaller outreach events in 2022 and more recently at the State Science Fair in 2023 and 2024. I also helped at the MAS booth at the Minnesota State Fair for STEM Day this last August.

MAS: How did you become involved in volunteering for MAS?

Peyton: I first learned about MAS my senior year in undergrad when I signed up to present at a poster session. I was curious about MAS and learned you could volunteer. I signed up for the newsletter right away and that following winter I participated in the Science Bowls as a volunteer for the first time.

MAS: What do you most enjoy about volunteering with MAS?

Peyton: I love seeing the positive influence that learning about STEM has on everyone, from the students participating in the Science Bowls and State Science Fair to the volunteers making everything run.

MAS: What’s a fun, memorable, or impactful experience you’ve had while volunteering with a MAS program?

Peyton: This last year, at the Science Bowls we had breakout sessions where students could talk with scientists about their background and how they got where they are today. I absolutely loved being able to answer the students' questions about everything from where I went to school, to how I chose my major, and even how I ended up at my current job. I love being able to share my experiences in the hope that it helps students on their own journey through life.

MAS: What would you tell others who are considering volunteering for the Science Bowl or State Science Fair?

Peyton: Sign up immediately. If you’re on the fence about it or worried about messing up something by volunteering, it’s ok. I was very nervous my first time volunteering at a Science Bowl. Watching everybody interact and seeing how passionate the students were made me want to not only do a good job, but also made me want to continue helping as much as possible. Sure, there have been moments where I was the Timekeeper and I missed a stop cue, but the students politely corrected me, and everything got back on track.

MAS is a great organization that has a clear mission and getting to be a part of that brings me joy. So, stop denying yourself these great moments and volunteer for MAS.

Thanks to Peyton and our hundreds of other volunteers for making a huge difference to Minnesota STEM students this year! Interesting volunteering for one of our upcoming programs? Learn more at mnmas.org/volunteer.