Quick Guide for Faculty Mentors and Summer Research
Quick Guide for Faculty Mentors and Summer Research
Prior to the Start of Summer Research
Category
Faculty Mentors
Research Scholars
On Your Own
Expectations for work and summer goals
Project Description in Accessible Language (1-2 pages) delivered to Student Researcher at least 1 week prior to start of research
Professional Development Goals for Summer Research
Career Goals
With Your Research Scholar/ Mentor
Gather literature
Conceive of and think through project - perhaps share with a peer
Order supplies
Read Project Description
Write 5-10 questions for mentor based on Project Description
First Day of Summer Research
Category
Faculty Mentors
Research Scholars
On Your Own
Ensure New Student Researchers are aligned with LSAMP and HR
Meet to go over Expectations, Project Description and Career Goals (0.5 hours for every student)
Introduce all laboratory members
Introduce all Research scholars to departmental personnel
Tour departmental spaces (including research space)
Review safety considerations
Review best practices for notebook and record keeping
Arrive appropriately dressed and early
Arrive prepared with Project Description and Career Goals
Arrive prepared with questions about Project Description
Take careful notes and ask questions about ANYTHING that is confusing
With Your Research Scholar/ Mentor
Ensure New Student Researchers are aligned with LSAMP and HR
Meet to go over Expectations, Project Description and Career Goals (0.5 hours for every student)
Introduce all laboratory members
Introduce all Research scholars to departmental personnel
Tour departmental spaces (including research space)
Review safety considerations
Review best practices for notebook and record keeping
Introduce yourself to labmates
Inquire about others career goals
Inquire about others' research projects
First Week of Summer Research
Category
Faculty Mentors
Research Scholars
On Your Own
Distribute poster template and literature
Ensure that students understand their obligation to the Program
Keep an open door. Be a regular physical presence in the research space - Students should see you early and often!
Check in with other Mentoring Personnel for support and guidance
Show your commitment through good work ethic - on time and productive
Maintain good research and safety practices
Resolve any conflicts quickly - experimental or otherwise - with your Mentor
Check in with other Student Researchers for support and guidance
Midway through Summer Research
Category
Faculty Mentors
Research Scholars
On Your Own
Assess the project - Is it working? Does it need to be changed?
Assess the materials - Do more things need to be ordered?
Assess how the Student Researcher is spending their time
Look back at the Project Description - Are you on track?
Continue to work on the Poster
Continue to read the selected literature
Update your resume with your new skills and experience
With Your Research Scholar/ Mentor
Assess progress of the Poster
Assess grasp of the selected literature
Check their notebooks to ensure proper record keeping
Discuss any problem areas
Discuss how your research experience is aligning with your career goals
Ask for assessment on your progress from your Mentor
End of Summer Research
Category
Faculty Mentors
Research Scholars
On Your Own
Write project wrap-up for each project so you know where you left off.
Update recommendation letter for all students so that you remember the outstanding things your students did.
Inventory materials and supplies
Communicate where data is stored and ensure appropriate annotation
Check over notebooks and other records
Show appreciation for your Student Researcher’s hard work
Reflect on your experience
Practice and give Poster Presentation
Update resume
Ensure all records/inventory/data is in order
Reflect on your experiences and discuss "next steps"
Show appreciation to your mentor and program for the opportunity
With Your Research Scholar/ Mentor
Write project wrap-up for each project so you know where you left off.
Update recommendation letter for all students so that you remember the outstanding things your students did.
Inventory materials and supplies
Communicate where data is stored and ensure appropriate annotation
Check over notebooks and other records
Show appreciation for your Student Researcher’s hard work
Reflect on your experience
Practice and give Poster Presentation
Update resume
Ensure all records/inventory/data is in order
Reflect on your experiences and discuss "next steps"
Show appreciation to your mentor and program for the opportunity
de la Mora, A., Geisinger, B. N., & Raman., D. R. (2015). Students' mentoring experiences: Validating an instrument with an alternative population. Paper presented at the American Evaluation Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Raman, D. R., Geisinger, B. N., Kemis, M. R., & de la Mora, A. (2016). Key actions of successful summer research mentors. Higher Education, 72(3), 363-379. doi:10.1007/s10734-015-9961-z
Raman, D. R., Geisinger, B. N., Kemis, M. R., de la Mora, A., & Moore, M. (2014). 386517 Implementation Strategies for a Large, Multi-Institutional REU Program and Key Actions of Successful Summer Research Mentors. Paper presented at the 14 AIChE Annual Meeting, Atlanta.
Produced by IN LSAMP Mentor Handbook Committee: Dr. Mary Konkle, Ball State University, Committee Chair Dr. Raj Raman, Iowa State University Ms. Michelle Quirke, IUPUI Dr. Pamela Shaw, Indiana University Dr. Kari Terhune, IUPUI
NSF Support Acknowledgement and DisclaimerThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1618-408. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
