About the Course
Project SEED is a summer research program for high school students from low-income households. Each site brings in anywhere from 1 to 40+ high school students to conduct research for the summer side by side with a scientist mentor.
This course will explain:
- The basics of the Project SEED program
- How to put together an effective proposal
- How to run a successful summer program
What You Will Learn
Through a series of recorded webinars, the attendee will be able to:
- Explain/understand how Project SEED works
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of coordinators, mentors, and students
- Write an effective project proposal
- Implement best practices to run a strong summer program
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for new and current Project SEED coordinators and mentors who want to learn how to submit site applications, host a site, and provide meaningful experiences for Project SEED participants.
Course Outline
-
Webinar 1
Webinar 1: Developing an Effective Application
- 0:00 – Introductions
- Webinar speaker introductions
- 2:08 – Project SEED Goals and Vision
- 3:40 – Project SEED Structure and Roles
- Stakeholder chart expressing the role of and function of each member
- 13:15 – Identifying Project SEED Elements
- Mentor qualities and engagement
- Project aspects and requirements
- Student identification, eligibility, and traits
- 18:35 – Application Portal
- Online application process for submitting a project proposal
- 27:38 – Project Abstracts
- Examples of weak and strong abstracts with descriptions
- 32:36 – Safety Considerations
- Safety education requirements
- Banned materials and safeguards/trainings for use of hazardous materials
- 37:38 – Matching Funds
- Common sources for funding and questions around the requirement
- 39:33 – Project SEED National Office Introductions and Q&A
- Where are online forms located?
- What if you are unable to contribute matching funds?
- How are student expectations and guidance for mentors being handled?
- Can matching funds be used for consumables?
- How are transportation issues being addressed?
- Can graduate students serve as co-coordinators?
-
Webinar 2
Webinar 2: Planning an Effective Summer Program
- 0:00 – Introductions
- Topics covered during the webinar
- 0:57 – Getting to Know Your SEED Student
- Communication with students and conversation suggestions
- 4:08 – Setting Expectations
- Student lab experience and brushing up on lab techniques
- Communicating working styles
- 9:40 – Common Pitfalls
- Time management, feedback, expectations, etc.
- 13:46 – Student Feedback on Mentoring Relationships
- Student comments on their experiences
- 17:40 – Student Programming
- Orientation, training, workshops, and etc. to offer students during the program
- 21:25 – Summer Program Deliverables
- Student requirements and deadlines for final stipend pay
- Mentor and Coordinator requirements and optional information
- 27:20 – Q&A
- What is the best format to have conversations with your mentee?
- Do students have to give tax information to be accepted in the program?
- Are scholarships for research only?
- Are their funds for organizing Project SEED events?
- What are the requirements for working with minors?