Research Mentorship Program - GECAAt — Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA)

Overview

The Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA) Research Mentorship Program pairs high school students with college-level mentors and business professionals. This collaboration is designed to guide students through the formal research process, providing expert support from topic selection to final analysis and reporting. This serves as one component of the Senior Project Program.

Program Goals

• Provide structured mentorship in academic research.
• Provide feedback to  students as they complete their formal research study.
• Foster early exposure to topics of interest within the chosen field.
   

Scope of Mentor Support

Mentors are not responsible for:

• Editing or rewriting student work.
• Collecting or managing data on behalf of the student.
• Ensuring that students meet deadlines or complete assignments.
• Making decisions on behalf of the student regarding study design or analysis.

Instead, mentors provide:

• Clarification on research concepts and methods.
• Thoughtful feedback and suggestions.
• Encouragement and accountability.

Mentors will specifically guide and support students in some of the following:

• Communicating on a regular basis with mentee
• Advising students as they Identify and refine a research topic.
• Advising students as they conduct a literature review and frame research questions.
• Advising students as they design a valid and ethical study.
• Advising students as they analyze data and interpret results.
• Providing feedback on the final written report and the progress of mentee
• Participating on a judges’ panel for the annual symposium at Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA)

Students need to be available, IN PERSON at the school:

• Beginning February 3rd to April 30th
• Tuesday and/or Thursday from 8:30-11:15 AM
• Monday and Wednesdays from 2:15-4:00
• Friday, April 17th from 8:30 AM-4:00 PM (research presentation judge)
• Friday, April 24th from 8:30 AM-4:00 PM (research presentation judge)
• Note: the school is off for Spring Break April 6th -10th

Requirements:

• TB test
• Fingerprinting background check
• Must be 18 or older
• Bilingual preferred
• Own, reliable transportation to GECA