Discoveries Unlimited is hosting an Information Meeting on their STEM Mentor program for sixth grade female students attending Valparaiso’s Middle Schools and their parents/guardians. The meeting will be held at Benjamin Franklin Middle School on November 10, 2009 from 6:30 pm -7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to get to know Discoveries Unlimited staff and Mentors and learn more about participating in the program. The STEM Mentor program gives female students the opportunity to discover their potential Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM). Discoveries Unlimited has created an interest-based mentoring program that links middle school female students with local STEM industry professionals. By showing young women that a career or education path in STEM is “cool”, fun and accessible to them, the Mentor will help inspire and support them to become lifelong STEM learners.
Based the student’s area of interest in a STEM field, Discoveries Unlimited will match her with an industry professional from January through May of 2010. The program requires monthly face-to-face meetings outside of school hours and additional weekly contact between the Mentor and student either in person or via secured and monitored email exchanges or chat sessions. Mentor session format topics will include goal setting/attainment, industry issue/problem-solving discussions and career/education exploration. Discoveries Unlimited staff will monitor progress, host fun STEM-related events, and provide resources, on-going training and support. All Mentors are interviewed and screened by Discoveries Unlimited and will pass a thorough criminal background check prior to being matched with a student.
The STEM Mentor program is offered free of charge. The only requirements are that participants are sixth grade female students attending one of Valparaiso’s Middle Schools and participants have an interest in an area of STEM. Discoveries Unlimited has a limited number of student enrollment openings for the Spring STEM Mentor program. For more information regarding the STEM Mentor program or the Information Meeting on November 10, 2009, please contact Cathie Dull at 219.508.5606 or at discoveriesunlimited@gmail.com.