A mentor is an advisor or consultant with experience in your area of research or engineering. A mentor may also help with setting practical goals, developing other contacts, identifying resources, offering career advice and serving as a role model.
Students sometimes find mentors by contacting research institutions, or Google searching the topic to identify names of current published researchers who might agree to help.
Some mentors may be able to offer resources in the way of lab space, equipment and material.
Before you reach out, you should have some idea of what you want to explore. The mentor will be impressed if you have studied the literature and prepared yourself.
Helpful links:
- The Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) offers student research resources at: Research @ Home
- The Broadcom Foundation offers FREE science club materials to enhance coding for students.
- Resources for choosing projects are sciencebuddies.org and scistarter.org
- Neuroscience Tutorials introducing the breadth of open resources available from Dr. Kaitlyn Casimo, Allen Institute for Brain Science.
- Ideas for younger projects can be found at sciencebob.org and sciencefaircentral.com, developed by Home Depot and Discovery Education.
- Starting points for the most advanced projects can be found by exploring the ISEF abstract database. This includes all top projects from ISEF finalists over the last eight years.
- A science journal and mentorship program publishing research by middle and high school scientists is at Journal of Emerging Investigators, founded by some Harvard graduates.
- A visual interface to identify the state of scientific research is at openknowledgemaps.org.
- All Science Fair Projects provides project ideas for elementary, middle and high school students. Use these projects ideas as a guide to create your own project concept.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SUMMER NEUROTECHNOLOGY/NEUROSCIENCE PROGRAM
University of Washington
For the past several years, I have directed a summer program for high school students interested in neurotechnology and neuroscience. If you are a high school student, I encourage you to apply to the Young Scholars Program-REACH at the Center for Neurotechnology (University of Washington, Seattle, WA).
During the YSP-REACH program, students will receive an introduction to neuroscience and neural engineering, neuroethics, and the latest developments in brain-computer interfaces. The program is well suited for students interested in a science, math, technology and engineering, with a specific interest in neural engineering and neuroscience.
For more information and an application form, see: https://centerforneurotech.uw.edu/content/young-scholars-program
Eric H. Chudler, Ph.D. University of Washington