Volunteer as an Alumni Mentor
We need volunteers who are racially diverse and willing to share their journey of becoming a scientist! Many of our students have never seen a scientist who looks like them, which is not acceptable. Because of this, we commit to ensuring the majority of all volunteers reflect the students of the community of City Heights.
As an Alumni Mentor, you will participate in our leadership programs. These leadership programs are open to high school students from Hoover High School in City Heights. Each year, these students will participate in an intensive summer program that will help prepare them to become leaders in the sciences. As a mentor, you will participate alongside the students in the programs for 3 consecutive days. During your time you will act as a mentor, help students with the coursework, inspire them to pursue science, and build belief that science is something they can do, and a science leader is someone they can become.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITies
During the summer of 2022, we will have two leadership programs, Ocean Leader Bridge and Intro to Field Research. See below for descriptions of each program and how to sign up to be an Alumni Mentor.
1. Ocean Leader Bridge
We will be welcoming recently graduated 8th-grade students to the Ocean Leader program through a hands-on science program designed to inspire students to learn about Marine Protected Areas by investigating fish, mammals, and invertebrates. This program is primarily based in San Diego at the Living Lab, but will also include some trips to the local coast. Some volunteer shifts might require volunteers to provide their own transportation to the coast, please ask program staff for details.
2. Ocean Leader Intro to Field Research
This program brings our 9-10th grade Ocean Leaders to Bahia de Los Angeles, Mx. Our students learn and practice the Scientific Discovery Process through authentic hands-on field research in the unique environment of Bahia de Los Angeles. In this residency program, students experience life at a field station, engage in community-building activities, swim and snorkel, and develop critical mentor-mentee relationships with scientists and alumni.
All in-person Ocean Discovery program is held with important COVID-19 safety measures in place to protect the health of our community. Classrooms are held outdoors and all individuals are required to wear a mask, practice proper distancing, and participate in daily health screening. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all in-person volunteer opportunities.