Project Overview

1 - Improved math comprehension and ability
16 - Improved science comprehension and ability
15 - Improved written communication skills
15 - Improved basic research skills
10 - Improved project management skills
11 - Improved collaboration skills

10 - Better understanding of a professional work environment
2 - Improved awareness of post-secondary educational opportunities
1 - Increased desire to research and plan for post-secondary education
12 - Improved awareness of the value of a professional support network

3.13

1 - N/A
8 - Yes
7 - No

4.19

4.00

While working at Sylvandale Ranch, I find the pictures and/or videos of the work really helps me to feel part of the team and involved.

Continue informing mentors of what to expect for the upcoming week in terms of what students are working on and how mentors can help. This is very useful to mentors.

Better screening of students and focus mentoring on the student's academic capabilities. My student, in particular, should have focused more on plain written communication vs. the actual project.

None

Clearly communicate specific goals the students are working on weekely (or at least every other week). It was sometimes difficult to determine what help the students needed in this project.

communication, communication, communication

Nothing, this was very well handled.

Give the student a clear assignment from the start. However, in this case, the project changed throughout the year due to unforseen circumstances.

Hold the student accountable for completing the mentoring assignment that the teacher tell us they are supposed to do. My student was great at communicating but did not complete the assignments that the teacher told us the students were supposed to do. So I was not able to help the student as much as I think I could have because I did not see a lot of the work in progress on his project.

I gave this feedback to the Merck Mentor Lead but will supply same info here. For this project, it would have been beneficial for the teacher to ensure the students messages were aligned with what the teacher expected. A lot of the time Mr. Helmus would send an email saying we should expect a certain document, and the student would not have the document even if I would ask for it. I often felt like I was little to know help because the student wasn't really sharing their project with me so I would just end up sending random research information. Overall, the project would be nmore successful if the student's messages were in line with what the teacher expected of them.

There were too many reminder/begging for help emails.

weekly expectations to the mentors, quicker responses to help tickets

Encourage students to communicate with mentors twice per week to give updates, share ideas, etc.

I asked several times, but did not see any final project information other than the messages.

Did not see final project. It would be nice if the students were encouraged to send early drafts or outlines of the final project, as communication tapered off at the end of the year.

Emma had a project journal for the first half of the year, which was shared with me. For the second half of the year, Emma's class changed projects and she kept me well informed on what she was doing - erosion remediation at Sylvan Dale. Her emails were very descriptive. She did not have a final project report, although her teacher will send a video of the project.

Lauren did very good work all throughout the project, which was reflected in the final summary.

Job well done.

One word describes the quality of work provided "Outstanding", the passion of the student and the desire to succeed was prevalent thoughtout the entire engagement, and I was very pleased that I could support the effort.

I did not see a final prioject so I cannot comment on the quality. I asked for him to send it to me but I never received anything.

I did not see the student's final project.

I think the quality was on par with the student's abilities and showed she cared

4.19

1 - No
15 - Yes

I always learn something myself, and it's an easy way to make a differene from home.

It is good to give knowledge and experience to students and feel their enthusiasm

experience was rewarding

I enjoyed the interaction with Emma very much. She was responsive to questions and comments and seemed to be very self motivated.

I find it very rewarding to give back to students in helping them grow.

I still believe I was able to add value to the student's experience. I just think if he had delivered what he was supposed to deliver to me I cuold have done more.

Although I enjoy mentoring younger individuals I do not think I have the time to do so at the level that I was expected. It seems like the people running the program expected more than what was laid out for the project when I signed up and also from what the teacher asked for each week.

I believe I can positively influence the student's experience with projects, and hopefully towards the future as well - this is always rewarding

Seeing progress made on the project and how I contributed to it.

their enthusiasm

Seeing the student's understanding deepen.

I believe I helped stimulate Emma's scientific thinking throughout her projects. She now has a better understanding of questions a "real life scientist" would ask or consider.

Helping the students helping the community!

Helping the students.

Providing feedback and seeing it impact the work the student was doing.

The passion of the everyone involved!!

Getting to know my student and providing some help for him with the project.

Seeing my student get excited about the progress they were making.

Seeing the student participate more and grow in her skills as the year went on

Trying to reach the student, have them come out of their shell and feel comfortable/confident when asking questions.

The project was long, I lost track of what was going on at some point.

getting more information from the student

Infrequent communication from the student.

I often felt I did not understand what I should do for the student. Communication from the teacher is so important. I believe the teacher will gain experience working with the telementors and will become better as time goes along. Also I will become better with more experience/practice and know more about what my student and teacher need.

NA

Lack of a clear goal from start to finish of the project.

The student did not deliver the assignments that the teacher told us he was supposed to deliver. This was frustrating for me because I think I could have helped him. I was looking forward to reviewing his project but he never sent me anything. I asked him more than once to send me things so I could review them but I never got anything.

Getting emails multiple times a week when my student wasn't communicating with me. In my mind if they were set on their project I did not need to keep badgering them.

Sometimes student messages are just too short or cryptic and there is just not a lot to say in response.

Sometimes there were gaps in participation and unclear goals for the week, also not knowing what level of feedback would be most appropriate for my student

Not receiving timely responses or responses with one or two sentences.

15 - No
1 - Yes