BernadetteFairbanks, Alaska

FreedomAtlanta, Georgia

NeyeskaQueens, New York

Learning to Love Science: Lessons in Eff ective Mentoring

from Girls on IceErin Pettit

The MessageExcitement, interest in science

is not enough to lead to a career

You can’t be what

you can’t see

Marian Wright Edelman

Neyeska

Freedom

Bernadette

1. Interest in and Excitement about science

2. Visualize herself as a scientist

3. Have the confi dence to do it

4. Know the steps to take.

Outreach for youth

Broad reach = low impact

goal : exc i tement about sc ienceaudience: youth, genera l publ ic

Narrow reach = high impact

goal : careers? audience: undergraduate and up

But especial ly those from underrepresented need high impact earl ier!

Bernadette

Step 1: Interest in and Excitement

about science

Teach the Whole Process of Science

… and connect i t to Art ( for example)

Bernadette

Neyeska

Step 2. Visualize herself as a scientist

You can’t be what you can’t

see

Neyeska sees: Earth Science

Teacher

What is a role model?

"person who serves as an example, whose behavior is emulated by others"

Neyeska

But a true role model

has something in common with

you

Neyeska

Freedom

Step 3. Have the confi dence to do it

She needs to see herself

succeed.

Teach the Whole Process of Science

Teach to the Whole Student

Intel lectual Chal lenge

Social Chal lenge

Physical Chal lenge

Neyeska

Freedom

A support network of peers helps…

Neyeska

Freedom

She needs a mentor

“Someone who takes a special interest in helping another achieve their goals”

A mentor

- chal lenges her thinking

- is supportive through diffi cult ies and fai lure

- celebrates success

- doesn’t expect anything in return

- wi l l show her the steps to take

- introduces her to

important people

- is an advocate

Freedom

Neyeska

Bernadette

Step 4. Know the steps to

take

Bernadette

What to study in col lege (how to

apply for co l lege)?

How to get an internship?

Neyeska

Bernadette 1. Interest in and Excitement

about science

2. Visualize herself as a scientist

3. Have the confi dence to do it

4. Know the steps to take.

Neyeska

Bernadette

Mentoring does not solve al l chal lenges to increasing the diversity

in the sciences

What can you do as scientists?

Start wi th being a ro le model :

I f you g ive a presentat ion at a h igh school

– fo l low i t wi th lunch with the three top students

Think about these 4 steps in a l l interact ions you have with teenagers. Give them the attent ion they need and deserve.

Bernadette

1. Interest in and Excitement about

science

2. Visual ize herself as a scientist

3. Have the confi dence to do it

4. Know the steps to take.

http://girlsonice.org

Neyeska

Bernadette 1. Interest in and Excitement

about science

2. Visualize herself as a scientist

3. Have the confi dence to do it

4. Know the steps to take.