Are you in high school and would really like to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair?
If you answered 'YES', then you should do an advanced project and a mentor is recommended. A mentor is someone who is an expert in the area of your project and is willing to help you complete it.
Are you in Grades 6-8 and would like to take part in the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge?
If you answered 'YES', then you should do an advanced project and a mentor is recommended
Many students start with simple projects and each year add a new aspect to them. In this way, they entered high school competition with impressive, well-rounded research projects. For projects that grow and become more complex each year, a mentor is recommended.
A mentor is absolutely necessary in the following three instances:
- to supervise a hazardous project
- perform animal surgery
- to perform euthanasia on any animal
It is recommended that you avoid the above situations whenever possible.
Working with a Mentor
When a project requires expertise outside the teacher’s or parent’s experience or equipment outside the school’s budget, a mentor is recommended. Mentors can be found in a wide variety of locations. One of the obvious places is a university or local community college, but don’t be afraid to contact professional organizations, high technology corporations, state departments, local branches of federal organizations, hospitals, laboratories, power companies, etc. If a mentor cannot be found directly at one of these organizations someone can usually recommend other contacts.
Many companies encourage their employees to assist in community projects. Science Fair projects usually count toward this community service. When you contact a company or organization, simply introduce yourself and explain that you need a mentor to help you with your project. Have a brief outline of your project at hand so that you can mention all of the important points. Always remain polite and persistent and you’ll probably get to the person you need.
Important things to remember when setting up a mentor relationship:
- Not all projects need mentors. If you have a simple, straight-forward project, then don’t waste a professional’s time.
- Mentors should not provide the project. A student should have a project firmly in mind before contacting a mentor.
- Mentors should not conduct the project.
- Mentors should not take the project beyond the student’s ability to comprehend.
- Mentors have time and budgetary constraints, just like everybody else. Be respectful of their limitations.
If you’ve tried all your own avenues for getting a mentor and have struck out, try contacting your Fair Director at colgansj@plu.edu.