Overview
The Honors Research/Mentorship is a year-long program. It provides an opportunity for students to work under the guidance of a professional and to obtain hands-on experience in a field they are interested in pursuing as a career. Students actively produce research or other tangible outcomes of their work. At the end of the school year, students will present their research projects at the annual research symposium to a panel of industry professionals.
During their mentorship experience, students have the opportunity to observe a professional role model. Students also acquire scientific knowledge and skills. In addition, students develop oral and written communication skills. Mentorship sites may include NASA Langley Research Center, Virginia Living Museum, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, local engineering firms, hospitals, colleges, universities, and a variety of individual medical and professional firms.
Handbook
The mentorship handbook provides a description of the honors research and mentorship program. It also details the requirements for the research project.
Currently developing formal handbook
Symposium
Major aspects of the mentorship experience include preparation of a formal written proposal for their project, oral presentation of proposal and status report at mid year to GSST faculty and evaluators, final research document, and presentation of final results to a panel of professionals in appropriate fields at the GSST Spring Research Symposium. In addition, many students present their findings at local, regional, and national science competitions and symposia. Exceptional work has been published in professional journals.