How to Get Involved

Become a Student Mentee

 

In order to become an EnvironMentors Mentee, you need to be:

• Interested in STEM research
• Willing to learn new skills
• Able to demonstrate great academic achievement and commitment to completing your research project
• Amenable to participating in the Penn State Research Symposium
• Committed to meeting with mentors 1-2 hours, 2-3 times per month (depending upon projects, mentors, extracurriculars, optional events, etc.)

The Penn State Research Symposium is hosted at University Park every spring for PSU EnvironMentors to showcase their research and present posters on their findings. Everyone is welcome to attend! Transportation will be coordinated. CLICK HERE for additional information.

Each high school student participant of Penn State EnvironMentors will receive a stipend to be put towards general expenses, such as transportation or office supplies.

If you have any questions or comments or would like assistance completing the registration process, please email EnvironMentors@psu.edu


 

Become an Undergraduate Student Mentor

 

In order to become an undergraduate and graduate student Mentor, you need to:

• Be within a STEM field/major
• Have a strong interest and willingness to mentor an underrepresented and underserved high school student in environmental research
• Dedicated to completing your mentee/mentor group research project
• Amenable to participating in the Penn State Research Symposium
• Committed to meeting with mentee/mentor group 1-2 hours, 2-3 times per month (depending upon project, mentee, mentors, extracurriculars, optional events, etc.)
• Complete Penn State required compliances for adults working with minors

Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students must be full-time students and able to demonstrate great academic achievement (GPA of 2.5 or higher).

Each undergraduate student mentor of Penn State EnvironMentors will receive a $1,500 stipend that will appear as a credit on their Penn State Student account, upon completion of the program. 

To ensure the protection of minors participating in the EnvironMentors program, each undergraduate and graduate mentor is required to complete and document four clearances. Instructions on how to complete these clearances will be distributed upon registration.

• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check (SP-164)
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY-113)
• Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check (Criminal History Report)
• “Building a Safe Penn State: Reporting Child Abuse” Online training

For the heads up on the detailed instruction, please check the following link: Click Here

If you have any questions or comments or would like assistance completing the registration process, please email EnvironMentors@psu.edu


 

Become a Faculty, Staff, Post Doc or Graduate Student

Volunteer Research Mentor

 

We are actively looking for volunteer research mentors in STEM or related disciplines who will guide and inspire a research team comprised of a PSU undergraduate/graduate and a High school student. As a research mentor, you serve as the lead of your team, design a project related to your research, and mentor your undergraduate and high school student mentees.

Volunteer Research Mentor Expectations

• Complete Penn State required compliances for adults working with minors
• Help design and oversee team’s research project
• Host student team in a safe research environment
Meet with mentee/mentor group 1-2 hours, 2-3 times per month (depending upon project, mentee, mentors, extracurriculars, optional events, etc.)
• Serve as a role model and mentor for both undergrad & high school students
• Foster a thriving  working relationship with mentees within the STEM community

To ensure the protection of minors participating in the EnvironMentors program, each volunteer research mentor is required to complete and document four clearances. Instructions on how to complete these clearances will be distributed upon registration.

• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check (SP-164)
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY-113)
• Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check (Criminal History Report)
• “Building a Safe Penn State: Reporting Child Abuse” Online training

For the heads up on the detailed instruction, please check the following link: Click Here

If you have any questions or comments or would like assistance completing the registration process, please email EnvironMentors@psu.edu


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