For Mentors

Conrad Challenge mentors are business leaders, entrepreneurs, industry experts, innovators and researchers from around the world.




 

"Growing up the farming region of California (the San Joaquin Valley) I never had the opportunity to participate in science fairs or visit laboratories, science museums or NASA centers. My grandmother and uncle encouraged me though and they would often take me on trips to foster my STEM curiosity. So, when I finally made it to my dream job (took me 40 years!) I wanted to encourage kids in science and technology. I'm very proud of our space program and I love to show it off to kids (and open-minded adults!). I also like to brag about JPL and its accomplishments."

Richar Kidd
Mentor 11', Summit Judge 12' 
Sigma Xi, Lifetime Member
Jet Propulsion Laboratory - NASA
California Institute of Technology
Planetary Chemistry and Astrobiology Group

 



About Our Mentors: 
The mentor program is an essential part of the Spirit of Innovation Challenge. Our program provides students and coaches with the opportunity to engage with mentors through our online community. Students are able to access advanced STEM principles, apply innovative thinking and solve real-world problems with the help of mentors. Students and teachers truly benefit from connecting with our mentors and gain relevant information about a variety of industries, information about professional development and guidance on project development.

Why Mentor a Team?

  • Help students gain a real-world context to the STEM principles learned in the classroom by sharing the lessons learned in your career
  • Be a part of preparing the next generation workforce
  • Rediscover the excitement of exploring new ideas and challenges
  • Gain insight to how young people want to change and improve the world

Mentors: Year Round

  • Online Mentors register through the online community to participate in discussions with students, coaches and other community members.
  • Students will submit questions as they develop their innovative products. Online Mentors are asked to answer questions through the online forum and guide students to material to assist members with advance STEM principles.
  • Active mentors are encouraged to write blogs, share articles and volunteer for to host Webinars.
  • Time Commitment: 10 min/week answering questions related to your area of expertise.

Team Mentors: Assigned to Semi-Finalist and Finalist Teams

  • The Conrad Foundation will match teams with a dedicated mentor(s) with expertise in the team’s issue area.
  • Semi-Finalist teams will have the option of working with a Mentor.
  • Semi-finalist mentors will review their team’s entry abstract to make recommendations on technical, business, design or marketing aspects of their product or service.
  • Semi-finalist mentors assist their team using their particular area of expertise as the team develops a full proposal: business plan, technical plan and graphic representation.
  • All finalist team will be matched with at least one team mentor.
  • Finalist mentors work with the team and their coach to set deadlines and support students in creating a project schedule for deliverables. Coaches will make the first contact with the team’s Mentor.
  • There is one conference call required as part of the initial communication between the team and Mentors. Most communication will take place online.
  • Finalist Mentors are responsible for assisting their team in the following:
    • Reviewing and communicating feedback on submission documents
    • Providing guidance on creating a presentation for the Innovation Summit
    • Helping the team prepare for a public vote  for the People’s Choice Award
    • Team Mentors will be invited to attend the Innovation Summit April 10-12, 2014 at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

What is the Time Commitment?

Some weeks will require more or less time depending on what you have arranged with your fellow Mentors and team regarding their deliverables. On average, you will spend 30 minutes to 2 hours per week guiding and preparing a semi-finalist or finalist team.

Get Started: Register as a Mentor through our website and online community. If you would like to be a specific team mentor, contact Jennifer Fotherby at [email protected]