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An Innovative Near-Peer Mentoring Model for Undergraduate and Secondary Students: STEM Focus

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Abstract

This study examined a novel mentoring model, near-peer mentorship, that supports the development of mentee and mentor, incorporates established principles of mentoring, and offers unique opportunities to integrate research and teaching in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) internship. Using qualitative methods, this model was examined from the perspectives of near-peer mentors and student mentees during a science education internship at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Results revealed that this mentorship model contributed to personal, educational, and professional growth for near-peer mentors and increased the interest and engagement of students studying STEM. We discuss implications, limitations, and future directions.

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Acknowledgement

This material has been reviewed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. There is no objection to its presentation and/or publication. The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors, and are not to be construed as official, or as reflecting true views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.

This project was conducted under U.S. Army Research Office Youth Science Cooperative Outreach Agreement and under a determination by the IRB of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, of non-human subjects research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Ave., Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA

    Laura S. Tenenbaum, Margery K. Anderson & Debra L. Yourick

  2. Integrative Systems Biology Program, United States Army Centers for Environmental Health Research (CEHR), Fort Detrick, 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20314-1000, USA

    Marti Jett

Authors
  1. Laura S. Tenenbaum
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  2. Margery K. Anderson
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  3. Marti Jett
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  4. Debra L. Yourick
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Correspondence to Laura S. Tenenbaum.

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Tenenbaum, L.S., Anderson, M.K., Jett, M. et al. An Innovative Near-Peer Mentoring Model for Undergraduate and Secondary Students: STEM Focus. Innov High Educ 39, 375–385 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-014-9286-3

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