Guidelines for Mentors
1. Log in and check the Curiocity forums a few times per week to make sure that questions from high school students are being answered in a timely manner (within ~1-2 days).
Note: We will send reminder emails if there are questions on the forums that go unanswered for longer than a couple of days. We understand that people need to take time off and that unexpected events can crop up – but in the case that you know you will be offline for longer than a few days, please post in your group to let the students and other mentors know!
2. Communication with high school students should take place in these forums only; we discourage mentors from providing students with personal contact details (although sharing links to a site where your work is displayed, or to media you have made relating to art or science is fine).
3. You will be responsible for addressing questions in your own group. Students will post questions relating to the scientific or artistic components of their projects, and any mentor may answer. Please let mentors in other groups answer questions in their own groups. However, feel free to browse in the other groups, and if you happen to see questions therein that have not been answered in several days, it would be OK to respond.
4. Additionally, feel free to reply to a question that has already been answered if you feel you have more to contribute. It’s great for the students to get a variety of perspectives!
5. You might be wondering how to answer students questions. It is preferable to guide students through a process of thinking rather than providing them with rote answers (though some of them may ask you to do just that!) Try to draw out the information they are seeking by asking further questions and giving some suggestions, whilst not simply providing an answer. This should spark more meaningful discussions whereby students are empowered to build upon their existing knowledge, with the guidance of mentors experience.
You may also try to lead them to conduct further research themselves by making them aware of useful resources. We will be adding a Mentors Only section in the CurioCity forums, where mentors can discuss how best to answer questions, plus share resources that they have found useful for teaching or learning.
6. Please be aware of any jargon (including acronyms) you use when posting in the forums. Otherwise, the students may not understand what you are trying to explain! Keep in mind their level of education, and try to use language aimed at that level. The same goes for links to websites or resources; use your judgement, and try to avoid sending them to places that are aimed at an advanced level.
7. Some students have agreed to share their Tumblr online journals documenting their projects, with you (we have provided you with the links by email). Feel free to comment or ask questions on the work of the students in your group, in the discussion forums. Some students may seem shy, and being proactive may encourage them to interact more with you.
8. Please maintain civility and patience in your interactions both with the high school students, and other mentors. We would like the forums to be a friendly and inclusive environment for everyone.