Become a Mentor with the Science Research Academy

At the Science Research Academy (SRA), mentors play a vital role in shaping the next generation of scientists and innovators. By guiding a motivated high school student through an independent research project, mentors not only help nurture curiosity and scientific literacy, they also gain the rewarding experience of teaching, collaborating, and inspiring future leaders in STEM.

Benefits for Mentors

Meaningful Impact: Directly contribute to a young scholar’s academic growth and confidence.
Professional Development: Satisfy your professional education requirement for promotion and CV enhancement.
Networking & Recognition: Join a community of scientists, educators, and professionals committed to expanding access to authentic research experiences.
Stipend: Receive a $500/student stipend to compensate you for your time and cover and material expenses encumbered by the student’s research.
Flexible Engagement: Work with students remotely or in-person based on your availability and field.
Professional Support & Guidance: Receive support from SRA Staff who have decades of experience working with high school students on independent research projects.

What do we Provide?

Mentors will have access to an exclusive portal where they will be able to easily monitor student progress, assign tasks and milestones with due dates, communicate via a discussion board, and review paperwork submissions (research plans, abstracts, data, research papers, etc.)
All mentoring sessions will be held on our Google Meet platform using our easy-to-use scheduling platform. These meetings will have transcriptions generated and can be recorded if you would like for your safety and security.
Students will have access to our team of professional research coaches who have decades of experience working with high school students on independent research projects to help support them along the way.
Science Research Academy staff are always available by email or phone to discuss any questions or concerns that may arise.

Expectations & Requirements

Provide guidance, feedback, and expertise as students design and carry out their research.
Meet with your mentee weekly (typically 30–45 minutes) to review progress and troubleshoot challenges.
Offer feedback on data analysis, paper drafts, and presentations near project completion.
Maintain open communication with SRA staff to ensure student progress and academic integrity.
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline (graduate students, postdocs, and professionals welcome).

Time Commitment

2–4 hours per month with scheduling flexibility to accommodate your professional workload.
All mentoring sessions can be conducted virtually via our Google Meet platform, unless both parties agree to meet in person.