Welcome To The DTC Volunteer Resource Hub

Get involved to get our problem solved

The Digital Transformation Center (DTC), powered by the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) welcomes high school and college students to take part in meaningful volunteer opportunities. Students can gain hands-on experience, build valuable skills, and explore potential career paths in a supportive, professional environment. Whether your interests lie in research, engineering, communications, or community work, UDRI offers a rewarding way to invest in your future while making a difference.

Volunteer Overview : Windmill Project (3 Day Plan)

Volunteers will support students through a hands-on engineering and renewable energy project focused on designing and building functional windmills. Responsibilities include:

Before Day 1

• Volunteers need to get in contact with DTC powered by UDRI to access the necessary resources required for day 1. Contact DTC

Day 1 : Field Trip & MacGyver Challenge

For Day 1 volunteers would have to:

• Accompany students (in groups of 3) at the UDRI site.
• Guide teams through a facility tour and support their participation in the MacGyver Challenge—a creative activity where they build windmill prototypes using recyclable materials.
• Help manage materials and provide hands-on support as students experiment with their designs.

Day 2 : Design & Digital Modeling

For Day two volunteers would have to:

• Support students during a read-aloud of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and facilitate discussion.
• Assist with TinkerCAD lessons , helping students create and refine 3D models of windmill components (blades and hubs).
• Provide technical help as needed, adjusting based on the students familiarity with TinkerCAD.

Day 3 : Prototype Testing & Iteration

For Day 3 volunteers would have to:

• Help students finalize and test their windmill prototypes.
• Encourage collaboration and iterative problem-solving during testing.
• Support cleanup and organization of materials.

General Expectations

Volunteers should be prepared to engage, supervise small groups, and offer technical or logistical support across all activities. Training materials and full lesson plans will be provided in the complete document.

Students who participate can look forward to meaningful opportunities for future growth, including continued volunteer involvement and the potential to earn a Certification of Completion an achievement that can strengthen resumes, college applications, and career readiness.

DTC merchandise like t-shirts, stickers, 3D-printed mugs, and keychains could be offered as fun incentives for students who get involved. It’s a simple way to say thanks and recognize their time and effort while making the experience even more rewarding.