NHD mentoring
Post on 21-May-2015
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National History Day in Minnesota
Mentoring Program
University of Minnesota
Department of History
Minnesota Historical Society
For 22 years the Minnesota History Day program has been…
…a growing success story…
1989 Chair
History Day TA
Event Helper
•Budget: $17,500
•Participants: 8 schools, 300 students
MHSHead of Education
•Budget: $300,000
2004
•Budget: $425,000
2008
Mentoring Program History
Initiated…By a grant from the Cargill Foundation (2003-2004)
Sustained…By support from CLA and the History Department (2005-2009)
Expanded…By funding from President Bruininks and other donors
solicited by CLA (2005-2010)
MentorCourse
UMTC Mentors are required to:
• Commit to 100 hours of service (school, class, events)
• Attend class and library training sessions
• Write a reflective essay
• Prepare a final group presentation about their school experience
How Do Mentors Find the Students to Work With?
The “Self-Selection” Process
Start by going into the school and presenting to all of the History Day students
Certain students are more interested in the project and seek help from the mentors
After each competition there are fewer students working on projects and personalized attention increases
Annual Mentor Bowl-a-thon
Mentor Program begins to shift
the basic operating
mission of MN HD and opens
up new evaluation
opportunities
Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program
Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program
• Support teachers in the classroom
Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program
• Support teachers in the classroom• Teach students translatable skills
Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program
• Support teachers in the classroom• Teach students translatable skills• Provide equitable access to educational
resources for inner-city and rural students
Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program
• Support teachers in the classroom• Teach students translatable skills• Provide equitable access to educational
resources for inner-city and rural students• Prepare pathways to higher education
Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program
• Support teachers in the classroom• Teach students translatable skills• Provide equitable access to educational
resources for inner-city and rural students• Prepare pathways to higher education• Make a difference in the lives of youth
Creating Pathways to Academic Success
• Provide individual attention to those who need extra help (emerging learners)
• Serve as informal advisors about college life and the skills needed for higher education
• Connect students with U of M campus
Direct Role of Mentors in Assisting with History Day Projects
• Help students with topic selection
Direct Role of Mentors in Assisting with History Day Projects
• Help students with topic selection
• Develop thesis statements
Direct Role of Mentors in Assisting with History Day Projects
• Help students with topic selection
• Develop thesis statements
• Expand access to research resources at the U of M
Direct Role of Mentors in Assisting with History Day Projects
• Help students with topic selection
• Develop thesis statements
• Expand access to research resources at the U of M
• Provide advice and support for project creation
How Mentors Provide Support to Classroom Teachers
How Mentors Provide Support to Classroom Teachers
• Mentors work both in class and after school
How Mentors Provide Support to Classroom Teachers
• Mentors work both in class and after school
• Mentors can give students a full class hour, or more, of individualized attention
How Mentors Provide Support to Classroom Teachers
• Mentors work both in class and after school
• Mentors can give students a full class hour, or more, of individualized attention
• Mentors help students reach deadlines by revising drafts and checking up on work
A Transformative Resource
“The experience of researching with a college mentor at Wilson Library was the most valuable experience for students.”
Jan WeaverWashburn High School
Campus visits allow students to:
• Find unique primary and secondary sources
• Experience campus beyond the usual tour
• Increase their confidence about making a return visit
• Learn that campus squirrels are crazy and should be avoided
Mentors help staff other library outreach programs
Mentor “Power Conference”
Reference Help
Presentation Workshops
“Because of the research skills I learned from
History Day, I was able to do well during my first year at the U, compared to other students (freshmen) who did not get the chance to do it. I knew how to use academic websites and citations.
Long-Term Impact
Also, knowing some places at the U even before I became a student there was
important. Wilson became my favorite place when I first came to the U because I used it as a high school student, and it still remains my favorite place.”
Ibrahim Hirsi
Long-Term Impact
“Without the mentors, we would have been
messed up.”
Why does this work?
Rigor
Relevance
Personal
Relationships
Evaluations show that our key academic indicators go up if students work
with a mentor
How much does this cost?
Mentor Stipend: $1,250 for a semester
Mentor Expenses: $250
Graduate Assistant: $500
MHS Administration: $500
TOTAL: $2,500
Results
• Mentors have a direct impact on student achievement
• Increased access for U of M Admissions Office
• Creates a model for multi-campus community outreach
The Minnesota History Day program has regional partnerships with:
• Six State Universities
• Three Private Colleges
• Three U of M Campuses
Statewide Outreach
The Bottom Line
The History Day mentoring program provides students throughout Minnesota with a structure that has high academic expectations and support services to improve student achievement.
Think big but
start small
Think big but
start small
The results could be monumental!
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