Ignite the next generation of innovators
Keystone STEM Alliance is built by volunteers who believe every student deserves access to hands-on STEM. Whether you coach a robotics team, mentor a student, or support operations behind the scenes, your time creates real impact in Chester County and beyond.
Why volunteer with us?
Keystone STEM Alliance was founded in November 2025 by two Conestoga High School students who believed that no student should be turned away from STEM aspirations. We run STEM labs, an FRC robotics team, and community outreach programs reaching underserved learners across Chester County and internationally.
Our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do. From coaching our Blast Robotics team to facilitating STEM2Ignite workshops, there is a meaningful role for professionals, parents, students, and community members at every level of experience.
Guided by our principle of Ignite. Inspire. Impact., we match your skills and availability to the program that will make the most difference.
Youth protection is our first priority
All KSA volunteers who work directly with students complete youth protection training and Pennsylvania-mandated background clearances before their first day. This protects our students and creates the safe environment every child deserves.
New Volunteer Requirements
All new KSA volunteers who work with youth must complete Safeguarding Youth Training before they begin. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that all volunteers working with youth provide 3 background clearances to the organizations where they volunteer. In addition, FIRST Robotics runs national background checks on all registered adult members. Providing current clearances is a legal requirement, not optional, and clearances must be renewed every five years.
Ways to Contribute
- Mentor students in engineering, programming, or design
- Coach or assist with Blast Robotics FRC Team 10989
- Facilitate STEM2Ignite mobile lab workshops
- Support administration, fundraising, or events
- Chaperone team travel and competitions
Volunteer roles on a FIRST team
KSA follows the FIRST Inspires volunteer structure. Every role plays a distinct
part in making our programs safe, effective, and student-centered.
Lead Coach 1 & Lead Coach 2
Lead coaches direct the team's day-to-day activities for the entire season. Two screened lead coaches are required for every FIRST team. They are the primary points of contact for students, parents, and the organization.
Team Volunteer
Team volunteers provide regular support as chaperones, drivers, event helpers, or in other capacities that place them in regular contact with the team. They do not lead the team but are an essential part of safe, well-run operations.
Mentor
Lead coaches direct the team's day-to-day activities for the entire season. Two screened lead coaches are required for every FIRST team. They are the primary points of contact for students, parents, and the organization.
Team Administrator
Team administrators manage team finances, procurement, and the youth roster in the FIRST Dashboard. They do not collaborate directly with students on a day-to-day basis, but if they manage the youth roster they are required to obtain Youth Protection Clearance.
Youth Mentor
Lead coaches direct the team's day-to-day activities for the entire season. Two screened lead coaches are required for every FIRST team. They are the primary points of contact for students, parents, and the organization.
Event Volunteer
Not ready to join a team full-time? Volunteer at one of our competitions or community events. Event volunteers experience the energy of a FIRST competition while contributing as field reset crews, judges' assistants, registration helpers, and more.
Pennsylvania Background Clearances
PA Act 15 requires three specific clearances for all volunteers who work directly
with youth. Clearances are valid for five years and are transferable
across organizations.
PA State Police Criminal Background Check (PSP)
Apply online through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. Your Social Security number is required for the online application. Results typically return within minutes to a few days.
PA Child Abuse History Clearance
Apply online through the Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS) self-service portal. You will need to create an account and provide a list of all residences since 1975 and individuals you have lived with.
FBI Fingerprint-Based Federal Criminal History
Required for anyone who has not lived continuously in PA for the past 10 years. If you have lived in Pennsylvania for 10 or more consecutive years, you may complete the FBI Fingerprint Waiver instead.
Required training for new volunteers
FIRST requires all coaches and mentors to complete the Mentor Ready Training
Path through the FIRST Dashboard before their first season.
Welcome to FIRST
An orientation to FIRST's mission, values, and community. Designed for new coaches, mentors, and anyone learning about our programs. Completed once through the FIRST Dashboard.
Youth Protection Training (required)
Equips volunteers with the knowledge and tools to create a safe, inclusive environment for all participants. Covers how to recognize, prevent, and respond to misconduct and aligns with FIRST's Youth Protection Program (YPP) policies. This training is mandatory for all Lead Coaches, Mentors, and Team Volunteers.
Data Privacy for Mentors (required)
Informs coaches and mentors how to appropriately handle and protect personal data for all program participants. Required for Lead Coaches, Mentors, and Team Administrators.
Role of a Mentor (required)
Covers mentor types, responsibilities, how to use the FIRST Dashboard, and available team resources. Required for Lead Coaches and all Mentors.
Complete your Consent and Release Form
All volunteers must complete a Consent and Release Form on their FIRST Dashboard each season. This is separate from background clearances and must be renewed annually.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Common questions from prospective KSA volunteers, based on FIRST Inspires, Scouting America
guidelines and Pennsylvania state requirements.
Do I need a background check to volunteer?
Yes, if you are 18 or older and will be working directly with students (supervising, coaching, chaperoning, or regularly interacting with youth), you are required under Pennsylvania law (PA Act 15) to obtain three clearances before you begin: the PA State Police Criminal Background Check, the PA Child Abuse History Clearance, and the FBI Fingerprint-Based Federal Criminal History (or a waiver if you have lived in PA for 10+ consecutive years).
In addition, FIRST and Scouting America require all U.S.-based adult volunteers to complete a national background screening through the FIRST/Scouting America system. You cannot begin working with students until both the PA clearances and the FIRST/Scouting America screening are on file.
What are the different team roles on a FIRST team?
FIRST teams operate with several distinct volunteer roles:
- Lead Coach 1 and Lead Coach 2 (must be 21+): Direct the team's day-to-day activities for the full season. Two screened lead coaches are required for every FIRST team.
- Mentors (18+): Provide expertise in a specific area such as programming, mechanical engineering, business, or outreach.
- Youth Mentors (ages 13-17): Veteran team members who mentor younger participants, with parent consent and two adult lead coaches still required.
- Team Volunteers (18+): Chaperones, drivers, and other adults in regular contact with the team.
- Team Administrators (18+): Manage team finances and rosters through the FIRST Dashboard without direct daily student contact.
How long are background clearances valid? Can I use ones from another organization?
Pennsylvania clearances are valid for five years from the date they were obtained. If you have already completed the PA mandated background checks for another youth-serving organization within the past five years, you can use those same clearances for KSA. Simply provide copies to us. However you need to renew the certificates before expiry date of each certificate and update the same on the system.
Keep your original certificates in a safe place. The free-of-charge option for clearances is available once every 57 months, so losing originals before renewal time could result in paying for a new set.
What training is required before I can start?
All Lead Coaches and Mentors must complete the FIRST Mentor Ready Training Path through the FIRST Dashboard. This consists of four modules: Welcome to FIRST, Youth Protection Training, Data Privacy for Mentors, and Role of a Mentor. Training is completed online at your own pace.
Team Administrators are required to complete the Data Privacy for Mentors module. Team Volunteers must complete Youth Protection Training.
A Consent and Release Form must also be completed on the FIRST Dashboard at the start of each season.
I have not lived in Pennsylvania for 10 years. Do I still need the FBI fingerprint check?
Yes. Volunteers who have not lived in Pennsylvania continuously for the past 10 years are required to complete the FBI Fingerprint-Based Federal Criminal History check at a cost of approximately $22.60.
Volunteers who have lived in PA continuously for 10 or more years may complete the FBI Fingerprint Waiver in place of the fingerprint check. That waiver form can be provided by KSA upon request.
Can high school students or college students volunteer?
Yes, within specific roles. FIRST Inspires allows individuals ages 13-17 to serve as Youth Mentors to teams with younger participants, provided their parent or guardian gives written permission. Youth mentors cannot serve as lead coaches; two adult lead coaches (21+) must always be present.
College students who are 18 or older may volunteer as Mentors or Team Volunteers with the same clearance and training requirements as other adult volunteers. Pennsylvania clearance requirements apply regardless of where a college student currently attends school, as long as they maintain PA residency.
What if I want to volunteer at an event but not commit to the full season?
We welcome event-only volunteers at competitions, outreach events, and community programs. Event volunteer roles include field crew, judges' assistants, registration support, pit admin, and more. Event volunteers who are not in regular, repeated contact with students throughout the year may fall outside the PA Act 15 clearance threshold, but FIRST still recommends youth protection awareness for anyone who attends an event.
Contact us to find out about upcoming events and how to get registered as a FIRST event volunteer in our region.
Ready to make an impact?
Join the Keystone STEM Alliance volunteer community. Tell us a little about yourself and the kind of role you are interested in. We will follow up with next steps and connect you with the right program.
Have questions first? Email us at hello@keystonestemai.org