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EnvironMentors Chapter Core Program Expectations 2011-12 Academic Year NCSE-supported EnvironMentors chapter host universities must be a dues paying member to at least one of NCSE's membership programs including the University Affiliates Program, Council of Environmental Deans and Director (CEDD), Council of Energy Research and Education Leaders (CEREL), Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS).

In addition, NCSE EnvironMentors chapters commit to the following goals, strategies, and activities.

Essentials 1. Foster the EnvironMentors mission at your chapter to "mentor and motivate students underrepresented in the sciences as they plan and conduct environmental science research projects and acquire the skills that will allow them to build careers and to become more active stewards of their communities and the environment".

2. Support a one- to-one mentoring program.

3. Plan an EnvironMentors program delivery model to take place over an at least 8-month program period (8 months is considered the minimal time period for students to establish a lasting bond with their mentor, and conduct a rigorous environmental science project including experimental research).

4. Aim for at least 15 students to complete the program by presenting projects at chapter fairs for existing chapters; and at least 12 students completing the program by presenting projects at chapter fairs for new chapters.

Planning 5. Assemble a chapter team including one director, at least one coordinator and at least one teacher before the start date of the chapter's program season.

6. Develop an Annual Chapter Plan and Program Calendar before the start date of the chapter's program.

7. Integrate new technologies into chapter programming. a. Develop a list of field-based technology tools to support your students’ field research (funds for purchasing these technology tools provided on cost reimbursement basis). b. Participate in an initial individual consultation in using the EM Online Community. c. Support students and mentors in uploading personal profiles and project topic information on the community website. d. Maintain your chapter community website with pertinent information to communicate to your students, mentors, and other chapter participants.

8. Integrate college access/success into programming. a. Participate in an initial consultation regarding partnerships with college access programs at your university campus and local community and with National Office and consultant Dr. Tia McNair, from American Association of Colleges and Universities.

Participation 9. Ensure that at least one representative participates in the EnvironMentors Preseason Planning Workshop, September 10, 2011 in Estes Park, Colorado.

10. Participation of at least one representative per chapter in EM monthly webinars and/or conference calls.

Administration 11. Provide timely delivery of chapter reports listed below. a. Chapter director, coordinator, and teacher contact information (September) b. List of students’ first/last names, contact information, and demographics (September/October) c. List of mentors’ first and last names, contact information, and affiliation (September/October) d. List of student-mentor pairings (October) e. List of students’ general project topics (October/November) f.

List of student names completing the program and presenting projects at chapter fairs (April)

g. List of student names, project titles, and abstracts for students competing at the National EnvironMentors Fair (May) h. EM Student Drop Forms for any student who leaves the program (Ongoing) 12. Follow through on communications with national EM office, including timely response to e-mails, phone calls, scheduling of monthly chapter support calls, and RSVPs for webinars and conference calls.

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EnvironMentors Chapter Research and Evaluation Expectations 2011-12 Academic Year NCSE EnvironMentors chapters commit to the following research and evaluation strategies, and activities.

Chapters: 1. Obtain parental permission slips from all participating students under the age of 18.

2. Administer Pre Program Student Surveys and send completed surveys and parental permission slips to Colorado State University within 4 weeks of program start date.

3. Actively cooperate with the EnvironMentors Research and Evaluation team in scheduling student focus groups when called upon.

4. Actively assist EM National Office in collecting student longitudinal data by providing current student and student alumni contact information within 2 weeks of program start date.

5. Administer and submit Post Program Surveys to Colorado State University within 2 weeks of conclusion of the program season.

6. Take EnvironMentors Core Capacity Assessment Tool (online survey instrument to assess chapter capacities).

7. Complete and submit Chapter Post Program Surveys to EM National Office.

8. Participation of top three winning students and at least one chapter representative in end of year focus groups, held in conjunction with National Fair and Awards Ceremony.

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