STARBASE 2.0

STEM Mentor

Training

Training Objectives

Demonstrate an understanding of STARBASE 2.0 & the role of the mentor

Use the STARBASE 2.0 Mentor Guidebook to run a club meeting

Demonstrate an understanding of child and youth development

Apply facilitation & mentoring techniques

STARBASE 2.0 combines STEM activities with a

relationship-rich, school-based environment

to provide the missing link for at-risk youth

making the transition from elementary to

middle school.  It extends the positive impact

of STARBASE through a team mentoring

approach which solidifies students’

attachment to and engagement with school.

Mission

STARBASE 2.0

STARBASE 2.0

Outcomes for Participating Youth

Increased STEM interest and

knowledge

Reduced high-risk behavior

Increased engagement with

school

Increased career awareness

Meeting Framework

STEM Navigation: 2 hours / month

Team Exploration: 1 hour / month

MAP It!: 1 hour / month

Program Guidelines

Confidentiality

Four exceptions:

1. Talking to program personnel

2. Talking to other mentors

3. Student’s potential harm to self or

others

4. Potential child abuse, neglect,

endangerment

Program Guidelines, cont’d

No loaning money or gift-giving,

celebrating birthdays, or providing

parties

Be careful about touching or

hugging

Be careful about self-disclosure

What is a “Mentor”?

History: •Friend of Odysseus – advised his son•Trusted counselor, guide, coach

Today: •Help young people to “make up their minds”

Stages of Mentoring Relationships

Group dynamics

Forming, norming,

storming, performing,

and mourning

One-to-one relationships

Testing, trusting, closure

Belonging

Belonging is the need to be

accepted and loved by others

rather than be alienated

Youth want to gain the acceptance,

attention, and affection of others

Mastery

Mastery is the need to be good at

something rather than caught in a

cycle of failure

Youth want to master their

environment and achieve their goals

Independence

Independence is the need to gain

control of one’s destiny, rather

than be at the mercy of others

Youth want to control their world

and gain the respect of others

Generosity

Generosity is the need to give to

others, rather than to be always

receiving

Youth need to be needed in the lives

of others and want to be viewed as a

contributor

Memory Questions

What is your BEST and WORST

middle school memory?

What do your middle school

memories have in common?

What makes the “bad” memories

bad, and the “good” memories good?

Cognitive Characteristics

Abstract thought

Intellectual

challenge

Curiosity

Social Characteristics

Increased

autonomy

Reliance on peers

Status

Emotional Characteristics

Very self-

conscious

Unpredictable

Anxiety

Cognitive

Intellectual challengesResponsibilities / decision-makingImagination / curiosity

Social Autonomy / choiceStatusPositive recognition

EmotionalAcceptance / safetyReduced anxietyFear of failure

Middle School Motivators

Best Practices for Facilitating

Divide up the leadership of

exercises

Review lessons in advance

Practice the exercise

Adapt curriculum, if necessary

Running the Activity

Read instructions

Give clear directions

Participate with students

“Foster discovery”

Facilitating Student Discussions

Praise and affirm students Never demand that students share Don’t call out shyness Don’t probe into their personal life Don’t discuss students’ deep

issues Hold back on giving advice Watch your own self-disclosure You don’t have to be perfect- It’s a

learned art

Communication Skills

Active listening

Non-directive approach

Open questions

Paraphrasing (reflective

listening)

Handling Difficult Students

Formalize rules in a team exercise

Review the rules—catch all: “no disruptive behavior”

Plea for fairness and respect

Make a plan with co-mentors

Contact the mentor coordinator

Mentor Debriefs and Activity Logs

Check in and session wrap up

Ongoing training on specific subjects

Preparation for next week’s session

Updates

School information, field trips,

events, etc.

STEM Navigation

STARBASE

Curriculum

Project-based

Competitions/

partnerships

Team Exploration

Communication, relationship skills

Career orientation field trips (virtual or literal)

Teamwork facilitation

MAP It!

Mentoring

Action Plan

(MAP)

Goal-setting

Life-planning