The Biosciences Area partners with Biotech Partners (BP), a non-profit with the mission of educating underserved youth in the Bay Area through personal, academic, and professional development experiences that increase participation in higher education and improve access to fulfilling science careers. In 2018 the Biosciences Area provided internships to seven Biotech Partners high school students.
We are looking for mentors who have a strong commitment to teaching a high school student. The mentor has to be physically present throughout their internship (June 17 – August 10, 2019), provide training, monitor their work, sign off timesheets, etc. If you are interested in mentoring but will be away part of the internship period, you may consider co-mentoring with a colleague. Mentors must express their interest by April 10, 2019.
What is the Biotech Partners program?
Biotech Partners is a non-profit organization that helps youth from populations underrepresented in the sciences. They are committed to supporting disadvantaged students who might be at risk of dropping out of high school. Their paid summer internships run for 8 weeks, between June 17 and August 10, and includes juniors and seniors. Before they start the internship, the students complete high school biology, chemistry, algebra, and two semesters of biotech lab.
Who can be a mentor?
We are looking for people (postdocs, graduate students, research associates, technology-focused staff, ops staff, etc.) who have a strong commitment to teaching a young student. Mentors will need approval from their supervisors and/or area contacts. It is helpful if the mentor has had some prior teaching/mentoring experience. The internship job description should align with BP’s goal which is to provide a summer experience that will help increase the student’s participation in higher education and provides access to fulfilling science careers.
What was the feedback we received from mentors last year?
Here’s some of the feedback we received: “My student got tons of work done for us,” and, “I learned how to tailor my mentorship to an individual’s capabilities.”
Who pays for the internships?
There is a cost involved in hosting the students since these are paid internships. The students work 20 hours a week at an hourly rate of $15.00 for 8 weeks. The source of funds to cover the cost varies depending on your Operations center. See below for details.
Biosciences Operations @ Berkeley
Interested mentors should fill out this form. If you have questions please contact Eltra Green (EGSB) or Louise Benvenue (MBIB). Individual PIs will sponsor Biotech Partner interns.
Biosciences Operations @ Emery Station (JBEI, ABPDU)
Interested mentors should fill out this form and contact Irina Silva with questions. Funding for a limited number of JBEI and ABPDU interns will be provided by the Operations budget. JBEI and ABPDU mentors will require approval from their supervisors.
Biosciences Operations @ Walnut Creek (JGI)
This year JGI will temporarily put this program on hold due to the IGB move prep and move scheduled for the June-August time frame. JGI staff are still encouraged and welcome to contribute to the program by participating with other Biosciences Divisions in mock interviews and judges at the final poster competition. JGI management is fully supportive of the program and will participate in the Biotech partnership and looks forward to fully participating in the program in the Summer of 2020.
Mentor Timeline:
- Fill in the mentor interest form or contact your Operations Center contact by February 28, 2019
- Conduct interviews in between March and May.
- Attend required mentor orientation in May.
- Mentor your intern for about 20 hours/week from June 17 – August 10, 2019.
- BRAVO! Attend final celebration on August 10, 2019.
Additional information
