Most kids dream about talking to a real scientist! The chance to work with a research mentor and BECOME a scientist themselves is even better!
SASSA is looking for mentors with backgrounds in the hard or social sciences who are interested in fostering a growth-mindset while working with K-12 students for our inaugural 2020-21 Youth Engaging in Research Program (YERP). YERP gives local youth the opportunity to conduct a mentor and peer supported, socially-engaged, science project that is rooted in their community. YERP participants will present the results of that project to the broader Twin Cities community at a capstone celebration.
Being a YERP mentor will only take 4-8 hours of your time each month. Each mentor will have a partner and will conduct virtual meetings with 4-5 students at a time. Mentors with experience in the public, private, and academic sectors are all welcome. SASSA focuses on making connections within the community which means welcoming diverse perspectives, expertise, and role models, especially women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ community members.
In addition to empowering the next generation of researchers, other benefits to becoming a YERP mentor include opportunities to engage with other experts in your community in an informal and fun way and to explore ways to improve science communication and community engagement.
Interested in helping students connect science and social studies to their communities and the world around them? If the answer is “Yes!”, we invite you to complete and submit the following survey.
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