General Introduction to Pre-College Research Mentorships

This article provides a review of best practices of mentorship programs for pre-college students that develop projects both in research and innovative applications. The potential impact is to provide a standards-based implementation for initiatives in sustainable project-based learning programs. The content includes a background to the research topic, main benefits of mentorship programs, current best practices, and a few examples of existing successful programs. The full report of this study will also contain a suggested framework for implementing mentorship programs derived from common practices and research.

   The Benefits of Mentorship Programs for Gifted High School Students

Mentoring is a master-apprentice relationship. It is a process wherein an experienced mentor guides a less experienced mentee. It is considered one of the most effective ways to educate gifted students (Cakir, 2016).  The advantages of mentoring programs for gifted students have been shown in numerous research publications. In one study, gifted children who participated in a summer mentorship program showed significant improvement in forming healthy adult connections and enhancing their self-concept (Little, 2010). Sahin (2014) concluded that mentoring is a successful method for enhancing creative potential in an experimental study comparing the impact of mentorship on gifted and non-gifted individuals. Researchers matched talented adolescents with adult subject-matter experts in six areas of interest as part of a year-long mentorship program at the American Psychological Association (APA) Center for Gifted Education Policy. Students formed career goals and learned about the realities of success after high school in addition to forming significant adult relationships (Subotnik, 2010). Mentorship programs can be beneficial for high school gifted students in a number of ways.

First, these programs can provide gifted students with the opportunity to work with mentors who have experience and expertise in their chosen field of interest. This can help gifted students to develop their skills and knowledge in a particular subject area and can also provide them with valuable guidance and advice as they navigate the challenges of high school and beyond.

Second, mentorship programs can also help gifted students to develop important social and emotional skills, such as communication, collaboration, and leadership. Through regular interactions with their mentors, gifted students can learn how to build and maintain professional relationships, how to communicate effectively with others, and how to work effectively in teams. These skills can be incredibly valuable for gifted students as they move into higher education and the workforce. Overall, mentorship programs can be an important part of a comprehensive education for high school gifted students.

 Mentorship for STEM Competitions

For students that want mentor support to apply for a local competition or just experience a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) research lab to prepare for undergraduate level work, there are many summer programs available. Examples of these include MIT RSI, Stanford ID Tech, Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science and NIH Summer Research Program (Most Prestigious High School Summer STEM Programs, 2023) They all recruit mentors at their institutions or other entities to support the student's efforts. They are 4-6 weeks in duration and usually produce a research paper and poster presentation that are evaluated. The students can then apply to a local competition with the project they did in the summer and continue working with their mentor on content and communication improvements. For those students that do not have the opportunity to attend a summer research program, many resources are available to find a mentor in the relevant fields of STEM. One of the main places that students can search is their local, regional, state or country educational fairs. For example, the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists, which conducts the largest overall science & engineering fair in the world, includes 36 regions that have directors that are responsible for their events and student development. They also administer STEM youth leadership programs, including mentorship opportunities.  In addition to these entities, there are several very informative websites that relate to mentoring. One popular resource is Science Buddies, a non-profit site that helps students with project ideas, as well as how to approach and secure mentors. It provides helpful information, including the importance of having a mentor (as quoted herein);“Mentors can:

-Give you access to a lab for your research.

-Explain difficult concepts, which can save you a great deal of time and frustration.

-Help you with trouble-shooting your experiment or providing instruction on techniques and equipment.

-Help you learn more about the cutting-edge research in your field, i.e. the research that has not yet been published but is still important to know for your own project. This new research could be essential to doing your experiment or knowledge of the new area might be considered necessary when discussing your work with others.

-Make sure you are interpreting your results and the results of others correctly (such as from a research paper).

-Coach you about how to present your findings in a way that will be favorably received by other scientists who will be your judges.

-Provide you with access to scientific journals. It is easy to find abstracts through a variety of online sources, but getting the full-length article for free can be challenging.

-Show you what it is like to be a scientist. If you want to see what a career as a scientist is like, this is a great opportunity to learn more." (Science Buddies, 2023)

The relationship with a research mentor can provide students with an excellent experience that will give them valuable lessons for their matriculation to undergraduate education.  Best Practices for Mentorship Programs

Mentorship programs for gifted and talented students can be highly effective in helping these students develop their skills and interests. Some best practices for these programs include:

-Clearly defining the goals and objectives of the mentorship program: This can help to ensure that the program is focused, effective, and that both mentors and mentees know what is expected.

-Selecting mentors who are knowledgeable and experienced in the areas in which the students are gifted or talented. For example, a mentor who is a successful scientist could be a good match for a student who is interested in science.

-Providing training and support for mentors to ensure that they are equipped to provide effective mentorship. This can include training on how to communicate with students, how to provide guidance and support, and how to help students set and achieve goals.

-Establishing clear goals and expectations for the mentorship program, and regularly evaluating the program to ensure that it is meeting these goals and providing value to the students and mentors.

-Establishing clear communication channels: This can help to ensure that mentors and mentees have regular, open communication, and can address any issues or challenges that arise in the mentoring relationship. Encouraging open communication and collaboration between mentors and students and providing regular feedback and support to both parties to help them stay on track and make progress.

-Providing opportunities for students to develop their skills and interests through hands-on activities and projects, such as internships, research projects, or competitions.

-Seeking input and feedback from students, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure that the mentorship program is meeting the needs of the students and providing them with the support they need to succeed.

-Monitoring and evaluating the program: This can help to identify any areas where the program is not meeting its goals and can provide opportunities for continuous improvement.

 Major mentorship programs for gifted and talented students

-T​he International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the preeminent competition in the world and continues to provide many research services for students around the world (ISEF, 2022). Currently, over 80 countries participate in the annual ISEF event. ISEF administers an affiliated science fair network that allows students in grades 9-12 to explore their passion for scientific inquiry. The culmination of their project work is a sharing environment and judging competition, involving 21 different STEM disciplines. Most students that participate have a mentor and a related lab that helps them conduct the necessary types of experiments to collect data and analysis that for their project conclusions.

-US Army Education Outreach Program: Apprenticeships & Fellowships  (US Army EOP, 2022) offers a mentorship program that pairs participants with experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support as they pursue careers in (STEM). The mentorship program is designed to help participants develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields and provides an opportunity to learn from and network with experts in various STEM disciplines. Mentors can offer guidance on academic and career goals, as well as provide insight and advice on how to navigate the job market and succeed in a competitive field.