Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) started a virtual mentoring program that will connect participants with a variety of mentors to guide and support their research! JSHS is a U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force sponsored STEM competition for 9-12th grade students in the United States and at international DoDEA schools to conduct original research.

For JSHS Students

The Virtual Mentorship Program has mentors from diverse backgrounds and experiences including U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force Scientist and Engineers, STEM professionals, educators and academic researchers. Virtual Mentors answer your research questions, provide support and feedback on the JSHS virtual mentoring platform Chronus.

Who Can Participate?

Students must be registered at their regional JSHS competition as a participant. A participant is any student starting a research project with the intention of submitting their research at the regional JSHS competition.

Why Virtual Mentors?

Virtual mentoring connects students and mentors online so that all students have the same opportunity to benefit from mentorship.  Through virtual mentorship, we can provide enriching experiences for students as they connect to mentors from many different STEM backgrounds and experiences.  Virtual mentoring is flexible- you and your mentor work together to decide what is the best time and way to connect through Chronus.

What Can Virtual Mentors Do?

• Share their personal expertise and advice to help guide and encourage you throughout your research.
• Support your research efforts through mentorship, using Chronus.
• Provide assistance and feedback on your original research concepts.
• Inspire you to challenge yourself and explore STEM career possibilities.

What is Chronus?

Chronus is a virtual mentoring platform that houses the JSHS virtual mentorship program. Through Chronus, you will be able to:

• View mentor profiles and find mentor matches based off of shared interests.
• Connect with mentors for flash ( short) or longer term mentoring throughout the JSHS competition year.
• Message, share files, and work towards common goals with mentors.
• Receive valuable resources that help you get the most out of your mentorships.
• Set up virtual meetings, ask questions, and manage your mentorships online or through the Chronus app.

How Do I Sign Up?:

• The first step is to complete your regional JSHS registration. Next, visit https://virtualmentoring.jshs.org/chronus or snap the QR code to sign up for virtual mentoring.

Already Have A Mentor?

Some students will already have a mentor that they are working with locally.  You can still use Chronus to connect with additional mentors or have your local mentor sign up to connect with you on Chronus to access the great features offered. Please note that ALL mentors must complete a background check through JSHS before they are given access to Chronus.

For Virtual Mentors

The Virtual Mentorship role is ideal for DoD S&Es, STEM professionals, educators, and academic researchers pursuing a STEM degree, either civilian or military, interested in providing virtual mentorship to students during the JSHS competition. Virtual Mentors answer student questions, provide support, and feedback on our virtual mentoring platform Chronus.  Mentors inspire students to challenge themselves in their original research and explore STEM career possibilities by sharing their expertise with students during the months leading up to Regional Judging.

Why Mentor Virtually?

Each year, JSHS students connect with mentors in their neighborhoods.  These mentors play an important role in student success throughout JSHS. We know students benefit from mentorship but not all students have access to available mentors. This year, JSHS is offering virtual mentoring to connect students and mentors online so that all students have the same opportunity to benefit from mentorship.  Through virtual mentorship, we look forward to providing enriching experiences for students as they connect to mentors from U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force research labs, educators, and academic researchers.

Mentor Roles:

• Promote STEM education and careers to students participating in the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium competition.
• Contribute to the student’s engagement with STEM by sharing personal expertise and advice
• Support students’ research efforts through mentorship, using Chronus as a virtual platform
• Provide students with assistance and feedback on their original research concepts.

Commitment:

• After completing the required background check, this is a flexible opportunity. Students select mentors through mentor profile review and matching algorithms, however Mentors decide what types of mentorship and the times they are available to students.
• Mentor sessions may be conducted via messaging, telephone, and/or virtual meetings through Chronus for at least one hour a week between November and April 2021.
• Training and additional resources are built into the JSHS Chronus mentoring platform to maximize the mentoring experience for students and volunteers.

Visit https://virtualmentoring.jshs.org/chronus or snap the QR code to register as a Mentor today. Registration ends in March 2021.

*There is an additional mentorship opportunity for mentors who serve priority population and underrepresented students. Learn more about this opportunity here. 

Have questions? Reach out to us at info@JSHS.org!