geekStarter Mentorship Application
The Position
MindFuel is seeking Mentors for our geekStarter program. Mentors play a key role in the geekStarter program and are critical to both the learnings and accomplishments of geekStarter teams. By providing guidance, you as a mentor, make the entire experience for the team and their project extremely valuable through skill building and STEM knowledge relevant to the real-world.
The Program
MindFuel’s geekStarter program is an extracurricular enrichment program based on student-driven authentic projects. Students identify real-world problems and work to develop innovative solutions through emerging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The geekStarter program was started in 2009 under Alberta Innovates (AI) with the goal of supporting University teams from Alberta in acquiring skills in synthetic biology and entrepreneurship and prepare them for the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) competition. Later on the program expanded to include teams from middle and high school in STEM areas such as Robotics and Automation, ICT, Synthetic Biology and NanoTechnology and in 2016 it was moved over from AI to MindFuel . Further emphasis on entrepreneurial skills and 21st century competencies has also become a main focus of the geekStarter program.
The geekStarter program includes hands-on workshops and skill building events, access to mentorship, subject matter experts, funding, and other resources to support students in their pursuit of STEM education.
The geekStarter program was started in 2009 under Alberta Innovates (AI) with the goal of supporting University teams from Alberta in acquiring skills in synthetic biology and entrepreneurship and prepare them for the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) competition. Later on the program expanded to include teams from middle and high school in STEM areas such as Robotics and Automation, ICT, Synthetic Biology and NanoTechnology and in 2016 it was moved over from AI to MindFuel . Further emphasis on entrepreneurial skills and 21st century competencies has also become a main focus of the geekStarter program.
The geekStarter program includes hands-on workshops and skill building events, access to mentorship, subject matter experts, funding, and other resources to support students in their pursuit of STEM education.
Mentors Role
- Communicate with the team on an ongoing basis to assist with specific project needs. - Communication can be in person, email, phone call or video call. Minimum time commitment of 1 hour per week.
- Plan and deliver two team workshops per season at the teams’ location. Workshops should be tailored to the teams individual needs and include hands on, student centered learning. Minimum time commitment of 10 hours per workshop.
- Assist in the development, organization, facilitation and delivery of multi-team workshops, if requested by geekStarter staff. Estimated time of 15-20 hours per workshop.
- Support the geekStarter program and teams with finding suitable resources and new resource development.
Mentor Benefits
- Opportunities to support real-world projects and share your knowledge and expertise
- Opportunity to support students in the acquisition of real-world relevant knowledge and skills
- Reimbursement of mentor travel expenses to geekStarter events and workshops
- $500 recognition award provided at the end of the season (upon completion of mentor responsibilities)
- Opportunities to connect with other mentors and subject matter experts
Mentor Qualifications
We are looking for volunteer mentors that fit the following qualifications:
Post-Secondary education or professional experience in STEM fields such as
Post-Secondary education or professional experience in STEM fields such as
- New Generation Robotics
- Automation & Machine Learning
- Computer Programming including familiarity with Coding programs.
- Genetic engineering and Synthetic Biology
- Nanotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Experience and interest in applied STEM research and entrepreneurship
- Experience working with students or youth and has knowledge of mentorship, engagement will be an asset
Mentor recruitment is ongoing until all suitable candidates are found. MindFuel expects to fill all positions by October 15th and all suitable candidates will be contacted by then.
All those accepted will have to participate in an orientation and training session. In certain circumstances mentors will be expected to undergo a police check
All those accepted will have to participate in an orientation and training session. In certain circumstances mentors will be expected to undergo a police check
