Brock
Mentorship Program
Table
of Contents
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Brock
Mentorship Program |
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| Overview Page 1 | Overview Page 2 | Overview Page 3 | Achievement Chart 1 |
| Achievement Chart 2 | Achievement Chart 3 | Achievement Chart 4 | Presentation And Lab Report Evaluation |
| Appointment Form | Liability Release | Appendices | Graduates |
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Interdisciplinary Studies (IDC4U) The Brock University Science Mentorship Program was initiated by Dr. Joseph F. Engemann (Faculty of Education) in 1994. This program offers senior high school science students, who are highly interested in science, demonstrate high academic precocity, and are capable of working independently, with an opportunity to pursue a real-life scientific investigation under the supervision of a member of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock University. Each year, schools submit a list of students who they think would benefit from the program. These students are then matched with Mentors from the disciplines of Biology, Health Science, Physical Education, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Psychology, and Computer Science. This labour intensive commitment by the faculty is really what makes the program so effective. Mentorships take place during the first semester of the secondary school year. Students are matched with Mentors who are conducting research in areas of potential student interest. The primary aim of this program, therefore, is to encourage bright students to consider the pursuit of a career in science through close contact with a professional scientist as a Mentor. Recruitment for the program is facilitated by Science and Co-operative Education Teachers, within each school. They are responsible for nominating potential student candidates and providing ongoing communication with students and their Mentors. These teachers periodically meet with the Mentor and maintain a continual dialogue with the student. Each student, with his/her teacher, will initially meet a mentoring professor in May or June in order to: Discuss and select possible research question(s) for investigation; Establish Mentor-designated expectations for student acquisition of background knowledge and laboratory skills prerequisite to the investigation; Recommend background reading. Early in September, the Mentorship students: Receive WHIMIS training and certification Orientation tour of the Brock Library. Students are also given library borrowing privileges congruent with those received by university undergraduate students. Search skill Seminar by the Brock Library professional. There is also a possibility for the Mentorship Students to enrol in a first year course that would assist their project. |
| Interdisciplinary Studies
(IDC4U) In October, Mentorship Students outline their projects at the Mentorship Orientation Night. At this time, each student gives a two minute outline of what their project will involve. All Faculty, parents, teachers and school administrators are invited. During the semester within which the Mentorship occurs, each student is expected to devote at least two hours per day to: At the Mentorship Symposium (usually in Reading Week), students present
their research findings to an audience which will include all current
Mentorship Students, potential students for the upcoming year, faculty,
parents and teachers. Each Mentorship Student is given a 30 minute time
limit, which allows for a formal presentation and a question-and-answer
period. The Symposium mirrors the format used at professional science
conferences. |
| Interdisciplinary Studies (IDC4U) Evaluation Criteria *The written lab report will follow the same format as a journal to which the professor would submit his/her work 1. Professor/ Teacher Evaluation The Co-operative Education Instructor and Professor will evaluate the mentorship student using the attached Interdisciplinary Studies Achievement Chart. 2. Symposium Presentation The Mentorship student will be evaluated by the Co-operative Education Instructor using the attached Brock Mentorship Symposium Presentation Rubric. 3. Niagara Regional Science and Engineering Fair Students will use the Niagara Regional Science and Engineering website www.niagarasciencefair.org to complete an Application Form. The website will describe the Application Procedure, Timetable of Events, Judges’ Scoring Sheet, Project Categories, Display Dimensions etc. 4. Maintenance of a Laboratory Book The Lab Book should contain an in depth daily log of work accomplished
including such areas as research, experimentation, equipment, elapsed time,
unusual circumstances/conditions, and assistance obtained to complete task. |
Achievement Chart
- Interdisciplinary Studies
Category: Communication
STUDENT
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Categories |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
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Communication of information and ideas |
communication Information and ideas with limited clarity |
communication information and ideas with some clarity |
communication information and ideas with considerable clarity |
communication information and ideas with a high degree of effectiveness |
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Collaboration (e.g., interactive listening, team building, cooperative planning, leadership) |
collaborates with others with limited effectiveness |
collaborates with other with some effectiveness |
collaborates with other with considerable effectiveness |
collaborates with other with a high degree of effectiveness |
|
Use of language, symbol, media, and technologies |
uses language, symbol, media, and technologies with limited accuracy and effectiveness |
uses language, symbol, media, and technologies with some accuracy and effectiveness |
uses language, symbol, media, and technologies with considerable accuracy and effectiveness |
uses language, symbol, media, and technologies with a high degree of accuracy and effectiveness |
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Communication for different audiences and purpose in real life situations across the disciplines |
communication with a limited awareness of audience and purpose |
communication with some awareness of audience and purpose |
communication with considerable awareness of audience and purpose |
communication with a high degree of awareness of audience and purpose |
|
Use of various communication forms and technologies |
demonstrates limited command of various forms and technologies |
demonstrates some command of various forms and technologies |
demonstrates considerable command of various forms and technologies |
demonstrate extensive command of various forms and technologies |
Achievement Chart - Interdisciplinary Studies
Category: Application
STUDENT _____________________________
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Categories |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
|
Application of ideas and skills in familiar contexts |
applies ideas and skills in familiar contexts with limited effectiveness |
applies ideas and skills in familiar contexts with some effectiveness |
applies ideas and skills in familiar contexts with considerable effectiveness |
applies ideas and skills in familiar contexts with a high degree of effectiveness |
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Application of ideas and skills in new context |
applies ideas and skills in new contexts with limited effectiveness |
applies ideas and skills in new context with some effectiveness |
applies ideas and skills in new context with considerable effectiveness |
applies ideas and skills in new contexts with a high degree of effectiveness |
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Application of process and technologies (e.g., the research process, multimedia and telecommunications technologies) |
applies processes and technologies with limited effectiveness and creativity |
applies processes and technologies with some effectiveness and creativity |
applies processes and technologies with considerable effectiveness and creativity |
applies processes and technologies with a high degree of effectiveness and creativity |
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Provision of explanations that incorporate new understandings |
provides explanations that incorporate a few new personal understandings |
provides explanations that incorporate some new personal understandings |
provides explanations that incorporate a considerable number of new personal understandings |
provides explanations that incorporate a significant number of new personal understandings |
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Finding connections (e.g., among disciplines, between a discipline and the world outside the school) |
finds connections with limited success |
finds connections with some success |
finds connections with considerable success |
finds connections with a high degree of success |
Achievement Chart - Interdisciplinary Studies
Category: Knowledge/Understanding
STUDENT _____________________________
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Categories |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
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Knowledge of facts and ideas |
demonstrates limited knowledge of relevant facts and ideas |
demonstrates some knowledge of relevant facts and ideas |
demonstrates considerable knowledge of relevant facts and ideas |
demonstrates thorough knowledge of relevant facts and ideas |
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Understanding of concepts (e.g., connected- ness, interdependence, multiple perspectives) |
demonstrates limited understanding of required concepts |
demonstrates some understanding of required concepts |
demonstrates considerable understanding of required concepts |
demonstrates thorough and insightful understanding of required concepts |
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Understanding of relationships between concepts and/ or disciplines |
demonstrates limited understanding of relationship between concepts and/ or disciplines |
demonstrates some understanding of relationship between concept and/ or disciplines |
demonstrates considerable understanding of relationship between concepts and/ or disciplines |
demonstrates thorough understanding of relationship between concepts and/ or disciplines |
Achievement Chart - Interdisciplinary Studies
Category: Thinking/ Inquiry
STUDENT _____________________________
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Categories |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
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Use of thinking skills that go beyond the scope of a single discipline (e.g., prioritizing, solving problems, making analogies, predicting, inferring, reasoning) |
uses a limited range of thinking skills |
uses a moderate range of thinking skills |
uses a considerable range of thinking skills |
uses a wide range of thinking skills confidently and effectively |
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Use of critical-thinking skills (e.g., problem solving from multiple perspectives, decision making that uses a system approach |
uses critical-thinking skills with limited insight and effectiveness |
uses critical-thinking skills with some insight and effectiveness |
uses critical-thinking skills with considerable insight and effectiveness |
uses critical-thinking skills with a high degree of insight and effectiveness |
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Application of an inquiry/ research process (e.g., formulating questions, planning, selecting resources and technologies, analysing and evaluating information) to understanding interdisciplinary relationship |
applies a few of the required skills and strategies of an inquiry/ research process |
applies some of the required skills and strategies of an inquiry/ research process |
applies most of the required skills and strategies of an inquiry/ research process |
applies all or almost all of the required skills and strategies of an inquiry/ research process |
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Application of creative thinking skills (e.g., generating models of thinking and synthesis) |
applies creative skills with limited effectiveness and innovation |
applies creative skills with some effectiveness and innovation |
applies creative skills with considerable effectiveness and innovation |
applies creative skills with a high degree of effectiveness and innovation |
Brock Mentorship Symposium Presentation And Laboratory Report Evaluation
STUDENT _____________________________
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Categories |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
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Topic Introduction and Background Information |
Information presented was limited. |
Information presented was limited but focussed on topic |
Information presented was effective and topic focussed. |
Exceptional information presented pertinent to understanding of topic. |
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Laboratory Research Skills |
Little evidence of laboratory skill demonstrated or presented |
Some evidence of laboratory skill and protocol. demonstrated |
Demonstrates knowledge of laboratory protocol and practice. |
Mastered relevant laboratory skill and protocol to complete project. |
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Problem Solving |
Little evidence of problem solving |
Some evidence of problem solving demonstrated |
Recognized problem and attempted to solve. |
Recognized problem and designed method to solve. |
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Evidence of Research and Knowledge of Topic |
Little evidence of research and knowledge of topic |
Some research and knowledge evident by depth of presentation. |
Good research and knowledge evident by answers to question and discussion. |
Exceptional research and knowledge exhibited in all aspects of topic. |
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Presentation of Assignment |
Little evidence of preparation and concern for timing. No discussion. |
Organized and adequately presented. Limited discussion. |
Good presentation and evidence of organization. Fair discussion. |
Exceptionally organized and presented. Good discussion. |
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Comments:
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Mentorship Program Appointment Form Brock University recognizes the value of a mentorship program involving senior high school students volunteering as protégés in a research study or investigation in a specific discipline within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Applied Health Sciences and Social Sciences under the supervision and guidance of a faculty member or permanent staff member. Involvement in the Mentorship Program is intended to provide a rewarding experience for all participants – protégé and mentor. Science laboratories, field research, and other research activities often do involve risk to the participants. Brock University is committed to ensuring that the research of its members is carried out in a safe and responsible manner. Hence, while Brock encourages protégés to engage in the Mentorship Program it does so under conditions intended to minimize the risk to the health, safety and security of all individuals and to identify clearly the responsibilities of University, University employees and their protégés. The following are conditions under which individuals may participate as protégés within this Program. The Department Chair and the Dean of a Faculty must authorize in writing the protégé to take part in a specific Faculty activity. This authorization will only be provided after the conditions described herein are satisfied. The duration of the authorization will be specified but will not be greater than twelve months. Each protégé must be supervised by a Mentor who is a Brock University faculty member or full time staff member. Protégés are not permitted to access laboratories or to participate in field research work without the supervision of the faculty Mentor or another, appropriately qualified and responsible individual. The Mentor must agree to accept the health and safety responsibilities of the supervisor detailed in Appendix 2. Each protégé must participate in all required WHMIS; environment, health and safety training; and training in the use of any apparatus prior to starting their assigned activities. The Mentor is required to certify in writing to the Chair the training required and the date at which the training was received. The Environment, Health and Safety Officer may be requested to provide advice on the training required. Where use of animals is involved, the protégé is required to participate in a University-sponsored course in the use of animals. The Animal Care Technician is required to certify in writing that the protégé has received the required training and education. The faculty Mentor is required to obtain necessary Animal Care and Use Committee approval prior to the start of the project, as appropriate. Each protégé and her/his parents and/or legal guardians will sign a statement relinquishing Brock University of any legal responsibility should the protégé be injured while taking part in the approved research activity. The protégé will be required to accept responsibility for adhering to all University or laboratory requirements related to Good Laboratory Practices and the health and safety of the protégé and other individuals who may be engaged in research activity in the laboratory or surrounding environment. Where the research or investigational study involves human participants as defined by University policy, the faculty Mentor is responsible for ensuring the protégé is familiar with University policies related to the involvement of human subjects in research and is required to obtain necessary Research Ethics Board approval prior to the start of the project. Each protégé and Mentor are required to discuss and agree in advance to the disposition of any intellectual property that may arise from the research activity. The Office of Research Services is available for consultation.
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Description of the Mentorship Project:
Acknowledgement of Responsibility of
the Mentor: NAME Acceptance of Responsibility as a Protégé: Protégé Name |
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We have read and understand the conditions under which protégés may take part in Brock University activities and we are aware that there may be risks inherent in the activity for which …………………………………… is being mentored. As a consideration of Brock University accepting …………………………………….. as a protégé in the specific activity described above, we, on behalf of our heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns, agree to and hereby release Brock University, its employees, agents, affiliates, scientific staff, and cooperating institutions from, and agree to indemnify and hold them and each of them harmless against, any and all liabilities they may jointly or severally incur to ……………………………….. her/his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns, in respect of any claim, suit, or cause of action, including attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation, including any such injury, loss of health, financial loss, or damage to property, including any such injury, loss or damage resulting from the negligence of Brock University, its employees, agents, affiliates, scientific staff, and/or cooperating institutions, directly or indirectly by …………………………… participation in the aforementioned Brock University activity. However, we do not release any Brock University employee, agent, affiliate, scientific staff member, or cooperating institution from liability on account of any injury, loss, or damage to ……………………………… directly caused by the gross negligence of that employee, agent, affiliate, scientific staff member or cooperating institution. Protégé Name …………………………………… is granted permission to participate in the Mentorship Program in the specific activity described above under the supervision of ………………………………….... This authorization is valid from ……………………….……... until ………………..….………..…. (no more than 12 months.) Department Chair/Signature and Date: …………………………………………………………………………….. Dean’s Name/Signature and Date: ……………………………………………………………………………. |
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APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 2 To comply with Brock University policies and procedures and Faculty of Mathematics and Science policies and procedures related to occupational health and safety, good laboratory practices, care and use of animals, and research involving human subjects. To ensure that all protégés under their supervision comply with #1 and #2 above. To ensure that all protégés under their supervision receive any and all required training in the use of equipment and apparatus necessary for the protégé’s project. To ensure that all protégés use the safety equipment, devices and clothing provided and/or required for the safe conduct of the protégé’s project. To advise all protégés of any danger in the workplace. To provide specific written and verbal instructions for the protection of the protégé for the safe conduct of her/his project. To take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the protégé. To ensure that all protégés are supervised at all times when conducting work under the guidance of the Mentor. To record and retain a record of all instructions provided to protégés, including, where necessary, sign in and sign out logs for laboratory use. To treat protégés with respect. |
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BROCK UNIVERSITY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM The Brock University Mentorship Program was initiated by Dr. Joe Engemann in 1995. This program offers grade 12 students, who are highly interested in science, demonstrate high academic precocity, and are capable of working independently, with an opportunity to pursue a real-life scientific investigation under the supervision of a member of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock University. Selected students are matched with Mentors from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Psychology, and Computer Science. The following Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School students have
successfully completed the Brock University Mentorship Program while earning
as many as three credits toward graduation:
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