1. STARBASE 2.0 STEM Mentor Training

2. 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

3. 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

4. STARBASE 2.0

5. Outcomes for Participating Youth  Increased STEM interest and knowledge  Reduced high-risk behavior  Increased engagement with school  Increased career awareness

6. Meeting Framework  STEM Navigation: 2 hours / month  Team Exploration: 1 hour / month  MAP It!: 1 hour / month

7. 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

8. 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

9. What is a “ Mentor ”? History: Friend of Odysseus – advised his son Trusted counselor, guide, coach Today: Help young people to “make up their minds”

10. Stages of Mentoring Relationships  Group dynamics  Forming, norming, storming, performing, and mourning  One-to-one relationships  Testing, trusting, closure

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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?

16. Cognitive Characteristics  Abstract thought  Intellectual challenge  Curiosity

17. Social Characteristics  Increased autonomy  Reliance on peers  Status

18. Emotional Characteristics  Very self-conscious  Unpredictable  Anxiety

19. Cognitive  Intellectual challenges  Responsibilities / decision-making  Imagination / curiosity Social  Autonomy / choice  Status  Positive recognition Emotional  Acceptance / safety  Reduced anxiety  Fear of failure Middle School Motivators

20. Best Practices for Facilitating  Divide up the leadership of exercises  Review lessons in advance  Practice the exercise  Adapt curriculum, if necessary

21. Running the Activity  Read instructions  Give clear directions  Participate with students  “ Foster discovery ”

22. 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

23. Communication Skills  Active listening  Non-directive approach  Open questions  Paraphrasing (reflective listening)

24. 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

25. 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.

26. STEM Navigation  STARBASE Curriculum  Project-based  Competitions/ partnerships

27. Team Exploration  Communication, relationship skills  Career orientation field trips (virtual or literal)  Teamwork facilitation

28. MAP It!  Mentoring Action Plan (MAP)  Goal-setting  Life-planning