ABOUT THE OFIS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Our Future Is Science (OFIS) is a multi-pillar initiative designed to inspire and develop the next generation of science leaders to make a greater difference in the world by understanding connections between STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) and social justice. Given the well-documented lack of diversity in STEAM education and in the STEAM workforce, OFIS prioritizes the participation of and engagement with young people who have faced inequities in their lives, come from historically marginalized groups, and/or are from underserved backgrounds.
The Our Future Is Science Mentorship Program is a near-peer, virtual experience that pairs high school mentees with STEAM graduate student mentors to help facilitate an academic year-long journey of mentorship, scientific learning, community engagement, and career exploration. For both mentees and mentors, we aim to develop the next generation of leaders who will impact the world through STEAM and an understanding of the linkages between STEAM and social justice.
Scroll down to learn about the Mentee and Mentor Experiences.
INSPIRING YOUR FUTURE
Experience science.
Connect with scientists.
Explore careers.
Solve a problem in your community.
Deepen commitments to social justice.
Design a capstone project.
Improve your public speaking.
Expand your network.
THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM EXPERIENCE
THE MENTEE EXPERIENCE
MENTEES will work virtually with mentors to explore:
Social Justice Journey: Explore links between science and social justice to forge a path toward change and equity.
Scientific Investigation: Design a capstone project by working closely with mentors, scientists, and activists to demonstrate how science can be used to understand and solve societal problems.
STEAM Topics: Learn about topics such as artificial intelligence and physics to inform climate change adaptation, healthcare and food insecurity in underserved communities, and more.
Careers: Learn about diverse STEAM careers, tour laboratories and worksites virtually, and network and engage with leaders.
MENTEE BENEFITS
Enhance college applications with strong credentials, and uncover potential college essay topics.
Design a professional-level capstone project with measurable impacts and present it to the public.
Prepare to become a leader in the next generation of the scientific workforce.
Work closely with a mentorship team and obtain valuable advice and feedback.
Improve public speaking, critical thinking, presentation, and collaboration skills.
Receive a $1,000 stipend.
What OFIS alumni mentees are saying…
“Research for my OFIS capstone led me to interview a person who invited me to apply
for an internship along the same lines as my capstone research. Now I am participating
in this summer internship, using the
research skills I learned in OFIS.”
— OFIS Mentee, 11th grade, Michigan
“I created a social justice club at my school
and I'm creating a website about Social
Justice in my community catered to young adults.”
— OFIS Mentee, 10th grade, California
“OFIS has fostered my interest in science and helped me grow professionally. Before this program I was afraid of public speaking. OFIS helped me get over that fear.”
— OFIS Mentee, 11th grade, Missouri
THE MENTOR EXPERIENCE
MENTORS will have the opportunity to:
Work virtually. OFIS is 100% virtual allowing you to mentor students actively involved in their school and communities all over the U.S.
Explore and deepen commitments to social justice. Teams of mentors and mentees will explore links between science (STEAM more broadly) and social justice. Explore topics such as artificial intelligence and physics to inform climate change adaptation, healthcare and food insecurity in underserved communities, and more.
Demonstrate the science method. Transfer your knowledge and experience via mentorship team meetings, virtual lab tours, and group conversations.
Learn by doing. Mentor students as they create a capstone project.
MENTOR BENEFITS
Cultivate the next generation of the scientific workforce.
Identify societal impacts related STEAM disciplines and/or specific research interest(s).
Enhance CVs with mentoring, curriculum design, and inclusive teaching and facilitation experiences.
Grow professional networks and gain access to nationally recognized scientists and entities through curated Community Talks.
Improve and diversify science communication skills and learn about inclusive science communication practices.
Receive a $1,500 honorarium.
We accept mentors from all Universities in the U.S. The image to the right indicates where our mentors have come from to date.
Be a trailblazer and have your school represented in the OFIS program!
What OFIS alumni mentors are saying…
“OFIS has made me value more the importance of social justice in the research that we do— from the common topic of recruiting
more diverse populations for clinical trials,
to paying attention to these factors when analyzing data from existing trials. OFIS has reinforced the urgency I see in developing
bone marrow transplants that are more accessible to people of all ethnicities.”
— OFIS Mentor, Harvard University
“I was able to gain a new perspective on the relationship between science and social
justice through helping the mentees with
the capstone project. Mentees were
engaging and asking questions I would not
have thought to ask. Mentors were always available to lend assistance and plan for the
next meeting.”
— OFIS Mentor, Delaware state university
“Participating in OFIS made me more vocal about the importance of social justice work in the sciences and inspired me to start sharing resources and having conversations in my current lab. Additionally, this summer I will be working for a program for high school-age girls and will use my OFIS experience to be a better instructor.”
— OFIS Mentor, University of Guam
PROGRAM DURATION
October/November 2023 to May 2024