MENTORS

Mentor FAQs

The Cool Science program offered mentor workshops for adults who work with K-12 youth during summers of 2019-2022.

Who was eligible to be a mentor?

Any adult who worked with 10 or more youth (in Grades K-12) in Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, Kansas, or Missouri. Attendees could be staff members from afterschool clubs, homeschool educators, museum/library professionals, Boy or Girl Scout troop leaders, public and private educators, church leaders, etc.

How did they become a mentor?

Interested mentors completed a brief application describing themselves and their work with youth.

What did the Cool Science mentors do?

Mentors attended a workshop series (either online or in-person) that helped them become even better youth mentors, especially in terms of helping youth learn art and science. Workshop participants learned about the science of extreme weather and ways to use artistic expression to integrate science and art in learning activities for youth. The workshops contained mini lessons presented online by science and art experts.

Selected mentors:

· Attended the entire training program.

· Watched videos prior to each session.

· Mentored at least 10 youth about science concepts using artistic expression and assist the youth with creating artwork, accordion books, and artist statements for the Cool Science Art Competition.

What did participants receive as a Cool Science mentor?

· Improved understanding of the science behind extreme weather.

· Art Supplies and Materials

· Resources for integrating art and science

· A pro-rated stipend of up to $200 based on the number of submissions to the Cool Science Art Contest.* (Please note: Returning mentors had different stipend rates than new mentors)

*Mentors who attended an either one in-person workshop or all three online workshop sessions and submited a copy of their accordion book received $50. Trained mentors also received $15 for each mentee that submited a piece of artwork, an artist statement, and an accordion book to the Cool Science Art Contest, up to a maximum of $150. All stipends are paid after the contest submission deadline has passed.

When were the workshops?

Workshops were held during the summers of 2019-2022.