MENTORS HOME PAGE
For Undergraduate, Graduate Students or Teachers…
This form can also be accessed at one of the following links:
–http://www.itechstem.org/mentors
–https://tinyurl.com/UHSTEMMentor or
–https://forms.gle/tEjhT3a3LRm7ysuU7
This application form is for the following programs camps:
- LEADERS Spring STEM Camp (VIRTUAL) (April 1, April 8, April 15, 2023) (Saturdays) (Grades 3-8) ES & MS
- ITECH-STEM @ UH Sugar Land (June 5-9, 2023, 9 am to 3 pm) (Gr. 3-6) Elementary School
- Girls and Boys Coding Academy @ UH Sugar Land (June 12-16, 2023, 8:30 am to 5 pm) (Gr. 6-12) Middle and High School
- BioTechnology Academy @ UH Main Campus (Gr. 9-12) High School.
- —-In-person Training @ the UH Main Campus (May 25- June 2, 2023) 9 am to 3 pm, Memorial Day is off
- —-In-person Teaching @ the UH Main Campus (June 15-23, from 9 am to 3 pm), High school students
MENTOR FAQ
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WHO CAN BE A MENTOR?
We need undergraduate, and graduate students, and teachers serving as “Mentors” (Camp Counselors) at our Spring and Summer camps at the University of Houston. Teachers who are in “pre-service” or “in-service” can also be hired as Mentors.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A “MENTOR”?
Mentors ideally should have prior experience working with young kids. We expect Mentors to have intermediate computer skills and an interest in STEM fields. Any experience in camp topics (Coding, 3D Printing, Digital Storytelling, STEM Art, Game Design) would be a plus!
DOES MY MAJOR MATTER?
Students majoring in education, computers, engineering, technology, and STEM fields will be preferred. However, students majoring in other areas may also apply.
IS THIS A PAID POSITION?
Yes, we are proud to be able to pay our mentors. A competitive pay (at or above the student worker rate at UH) for your work will be available. The payment may differ based on your experience.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR MENTORS?
In addition to being paid for your time, you will receive:
- Free “training” in camp subjects from university professors and camp directors prior to working with kids,
- Interaction with UH faculty from the College of Education and Natural Science and Mathematics,
- Certificates of appreciation will be available for our mentors upon completion,
- “New in 2023”: Digital badges through Creedly will be available upon completing our training and completion of the programs. These badges can be shared on LinkedIn and be used for resume building,
- Reference Letters from UH faculty and Program Directors,
- The LEADERS project additionally offers Undergraduate Research opportunities under the supervision of UH faculty, participation in UH Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship, and a chance to present at national conferences with faculty after the Spring camp during the school year.
- BioTechnology Academy additionally offers a “Learning Network,” including working in BioTechnology labs and internship opportunities in UH or around Houston companies, attending regional conferences after the Summer camp during the school year.
WHEN AM I GOING TO HEAR FROM YOU? WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF BEING ACCEPTED AS A MENTOR?
Within two weeks after you fill out the application form, we will contact you for an ONLINE interview. Hiring will be based on your qualifications, interview results, and application materials.
WHAT MATERIALS WILL BE NEEDED TO APPLY?
1. A current resume (including education, prior work/teaching experience, and contact information of two references)
2. A one-page statement on why you would like to be considered for this position
3. Unofficial copy of your transcript showing your current GPA.
CAN YOU WRITE US A RECOMMENDATION LETTER UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM?
UH professors will be able to provide recommendation letters to all mentors who successfully finish the program. Please inquire with the camp director for details.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS FOR MENTORS?
Depending on the camp, mentors need to work at least 4-5 hours a day from 9 am to 3 pm every day, Monday-Saturday during the summer camps. The LEADERS project will be on Saturdays only. See a list of camps and their specific times below.
WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM DATES?
The program dates change every year. Please refer to the application form, section 3, Camp Dates for this year’s dates.
****Dates for SPRING 2023 Virtual Camps*****
- LEADERS Spring STEM Camp (VIRTUAL) (April 1, April 8, April 15, 2023) (Saturdays) (Grades 3-8) ES & MS
****Dates for SUMMER 2023 In-person Camps****
- ITECH-STEM @ UH Sugar Land (June 5-9, 2023, 9 am to 3 pm) (Gr. 3-6) Elementary School
- Girls and Boys Coding Academy @ UH Sugar Land (June 12-16, 2023, 8:30 am to 5 pm) (Gr. 6-12) Middle and High School
- BioTechnology Academy (Gr. 9-12) High School.
—-In-person Training @ the UH Main Campus (May 25- June 2, 2023) 9 am to 3 pm, Memorial Day is off
—-In-person Teaching @ the UH Main Campus (June 15-23, from 9 am to 3 pm), High school student
WHAT IS MY ROLE AS A MENTOR?
Mentors will be assigned a small group (5-6) of students depending on the camp. You will be responsible for the instruction and supervision of the students in your group. Mentors will also be in touch with the parents of the students. Depending on the availability, a high school volunteer/intern may be assigned to you as a helper/assistant.
WHAT WILL I TEACH?
You will be following an easy-to-implement curriculum created by UH professors. Lesson plans will be available. All student work will be hands-on and project-based. Almost all projects will involve the use of computers and the creation of an actual product at the end. UH professors may teach short sections of classes for campers. However, most class time will include mentors helping students individually with the tasks and projects. Camp topics include:
– LEADERS (Coding, Digital Storytelling & Video Production,Web/HTML, Intro to Python Programming, Game Development),
– ITECH-STEM (Coding, 3D Printing, Digital Storytelling &Video Production, and Game Development),
– Girls Coding Academy Middle School (Coding with Scratch, Web/HTML, Intro to Python Programming),
– Girls Coding Academy High School (Python Programming and Game Design).
– BioTechnology Camp (Molecular Biology, Protein Binding & Docking, COVID-19 protein drug discovery)
WHAT IS SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION?
Mentors are expected to help each student with their assigned tasks and projects individually during each class period. You will be teaching only a small group of 5 to 6 students. You need to help each student with their projects in your group during a class session.
WILL I BE TEACHING ALONE?
We use a co-mentoring (co-teaching) model for our small groups. There will be two mentors assigned to each group. You may teach with your co-mentor in different parts of the curriculum and assist each other with instructional activities.
ONLINE (VIRTUAL) INSTRUCTION
We will be using an online conference system to hold classes. Each mentor group will have an online conference account to hold small group classes. We will utilize breakout rooms for individual mentoring whenever possible. Zoom will be our software.
DO I NEED THE TRAINING TO BE A MENTOR?
Yes, it is mandatory to complete online training on “Preventing sexual abuse and child molestation” through the UH system. Additionally, there will be training on how to work with young children, camp procedures, and camp topics (Coding, 3D Printing, Digital Storytelling, Python, and Game Design), and on the camp curriculum prior to the camp start date.
AM I GOING TO RECEIVE TRAINING ON THE CURRICULUM?
Yes, you will receive materials and lesson plans ahead of the camp. You are expected to study and be prepared. There will be 1-2 days of online (live) curriculum training prior to the camp start date. BioTechnology camp may be face-to-face in UH Main campus labs. The date and time will be announced later.
WHO WILL BE MY SUPERVISOR?
You will report to the camp director(s).
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CAMP VOLUNTEERS/INTERNS IF THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO ME?
You can think of volunteers/interns as “teacher aides.” A volunteer’s primary role is to help you with instruction, working, and supervising kids in your group. As a Mentor, you will be the ultimate responsible person as a teacher and leader in your group.
CAN I BE ABSENT ON SOME DAYS?
We expect full attendance unless there is an emergency or a valid excuse. In rare cases, we may be able to cover your classes.