Pathways to Science: A Role Model and Mentoring Project

Pathways to Science: A Role Model and Mentoring Project This project will engage communities through a combination of role model talks and near-peer mentoring to cultivate interest in health research careers and support students in pursuing higher education. By featuring presentations from health science researchers and structured mentoring opportunities, the initiative seeks to raise awareness of career pathways, strengthen student confidence, and encourage pursuit of health research fields. The project aims to (1) increase awareness of careers in health research among parents and youth; (2) foster interest in pursuing health research careers among youth; and (3) encourage high school students to consider a college path in health research.To achieve these aims, the project will: (1.1) Recruit nine health science researchers each year to deliver talks to parents and youth. (1.2) Provide coaching to presenters to ensure talks are engaging, informative, and accessible. (1.3) Offer monthly talks during each school year during the Project Years 1-4. (1.4) Attract at least 400 community members to attend at least one talk and at least 300 to attend two or more talks across all project years. (1.5) Feature videos of these talks on the project website. Additional objectives include: (2.1) Encouraging youth to relate to the researchers featured in the talks. (2.2) Building youth confidence in their ability to pursue health research science careers. The Project will: (3.1) Recruit and train up to 20 near-peer mentors, including health and biological science professionals who have completed college degrees (Project Years 3-4). (3.2) Recruit up to 40 high school students who have attended at least one role model talk to participate in college preparation coaching (Project Years 3- 4). (3.3) Provide one to two years of college preparation coaching to each mentee and oversee mentor/mentee relationships (Project Years 3-5). Year 5 will focus on disseminating project outcomes and lessons learned through broad professional and community networks. Project evaluation will be conducted by an independent evaluator.