Mentors

• Dates: June 15 – June 19, 2026 
• Mentor Training: May 18–22, 2026 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)*
• Location: UH – Main Campus  
• Grades: 9–12
• Website: https://www.itechstem.org/MEA
• Focus: introducing students how molecules and polymers shape biology and everyday materials through 3D visualization and beginner-friendly computer simulations. 

• Dates: *August 6-9, 2026, (Thu-Sat, 9 am -3 pm) (Summer 2026)
• Dates: *October 3, October 10, October 17, 2026 ( 3 Consecutive Saturdays, 9 am -3 pm) (Fall 2026)
• Location: UH Sugar Land
• Grades: 8–12
• Website: https://www.itechstem.org/esports  
• Focus: Competitive Gaming, Teamwork, Strategy, and Preparation for Tournament Play for UIL

* Tentative Dates

WHO CAN BE A MENTOR?

We need undergraduate students, graduate students, and teachers serving as “Mentors” (Camp Counselors) at our Spring and Summer camps at the University of Houston. Teachers who are “pre-service” or “in-service” can also be hired as Mentors.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A “MENTOR”?

Mentors ideally should have prior experience working with young kids. We expect Mentors to have intermediate computer skills and an interest in STEM fields. Any experience in camp topics (Coding, 3D Printing, Digital Storytelling, STEM Art, Game Design, AI/ML Applications) would be a plus!

DOES MY MAJOR MATTER?
Students majoring in education, computers, engineering, technology, and STEM fields will be preferred. However, students majoring in other areas may also apply.

IS THIS A PAID POSITION?
Yes, we are able to pay our mentors. A competitive pay (at or above the student worker rate at UH) for your work will be available. The pay rate may differ based on your experience.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This is a rolling application, and there’s no specific application deadline. However, we do hire most mentors in April-May time frame. It’s advisable to submit your application as soon as possible once you recive an invitaion to apply through UH Communications email. 

If you send your application immediately after we broadcast through UH Communications emails sent to all undergraduate and graduate students, you’ll be more likely to be pre-screened for an interview. We will interview mentors in two batches: April 1-15 and then on May 1-15, 2026 for summer programs. 

CAN I BE A MENTOR FOR MORE THAN ONE CAMP?

Yes, if you are available, and your qualifications are acceptable, depending on the need, you can be employed for more than one camp. It’s a common practice to work on multiple programs, provided there are no scheduling conflicts. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR MENTORS?
In addition to being paid for your time, you will receive:

•  Free “training” in camp subjects from university professors and camp directors prior to working with kids,
• Interaction with UH faculty from the College of Education and Natural Science and Mathematics,
• Networking Opportunities with faculty, people from the industry.
• Teaching and Leadership Experience
• Certificates of appreciation will be available for our mentors upon completion,
• Potential Reference Letters from UH faculty and Program Directors for future employment,
• Great resume building community service activity and work/teaching experience
• BioTechnology Academy additionally offers a “Learning Network,” including working in BioTechnology labs and internship opportunities in UH or around Houston companies, attending regional conferences after the Summer camp during the school year.

WHEN AM I GOING TO HEAR FROM YOU? WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF BEING ACCEPTED AS A MENTOR?
Within 2-3 weeks after you fill out the application form, we will contact you for an ONLINE interview if you are pre-selected. The applications are competitive and there are many applications. Hiring will be based on your qualifications, interview results, and application materials.

WHAT MATERIALS WILL BE NEEDED TO APPLY?
1. A current resume (including education, prior work/teaching experience, and contact information of two references)
2. A one-page statement on why you would like to be considered for the positions you are applying
3. Unofficial copy of your transcript showing your current GPA.

CAN YOU WRITE RECOMMENDATION LETTERS FOR MENTORS UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM?
UH professors will be able to provide recommendation letters to mentors who successfully finish the program. Please inquire with the camp director for details.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS FOR MENTORS?
Depending on the camp, mentors need to work at least 4-6 hours a day from 9 am to 3 pm every day, Monday-Friday during the summer camps. The INSPIRE project has different hours and activities ofering more flexibilty to mentor high school students.  

WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM DATES?
The program dates change every year. Please refer to the application form, section 3, Camp Dates for this year’s dates.

****Dates for SUMMER 2026 In-person Camps****

WHAT IS MY ROLE AS A MENTOR?
Mentors will be assigned a small group (5-7) of students depending on the camp. You will be responsible for the instruction and supervision of the students in your group. Mentors will also be in touch with the parents of the students. Depending on the availability, a high school volunteer/intern may be assigned to you as a helper/assistant. High school interns are only available for program teaching elementary and middle school students. 

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CAMP VOLUNTEERS/INTERNS IF THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO ME?
You can think of volunteers/interns as “teacher aides.” A volunteer’s primary role is to help you with instruction, working, and supervising kids in your group. As a Mentor, you will be the ultimate responsible person as a teacher and leader in your group.

WHAT WILL I TEACH?
You will be following an easy-to-implement curriculum created by UH professors. Lesson plans will be available. All student work will be hands-on and project-based. Almost all projects will involve the use of computers and the creation of an actual product at the end. UH professors may teach short sections of classes for campers. However, most class time will include mentors helping students individually with the tasks and projects. Camp topics include:

• ITECH-STEM (Coding, 3D Printing, Digital Storytelling &Video Production, AI/ML and Game Development),
• Code Cougars: AI and Machine Learning Academy – Middle School (Coding with Scratch, Web/HTML, Intro to Python Programming, Game Development, AI/ML),
• Code Cougars: AI and Machine Learning Academy – High School (AI/ML, Python Programming and Game Design).
• BioTechnology Academy (Molecular Biology, Protein Binding & Docking, COVID-19 protein drug discovery)
• Molecular Engineering Academy (Molecular Velcros: Binding, Molecular Chains, Polymer in Life and Materials, Molecules in Motion, Hydrophobicity, 3D Visualization)
• INFUSE (Academic planning, Internship guidance, Resume building, Networking training, College application strategy, tutoring, field trips)

WHAT IS SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION?
Mentors are expected to help each student with their assigned tasks and projects individually during each class period. You will be teaching only a small group of 5 to 7 students. You need to help each student with their projects in your group during a class session.

WILL I BE TEACHING ALONE?
We use a co-mentoring (co-teaching) model for our small groups whenever possible. There could be two mentors assigned to each group. You may teach with your co-mentor in different parts of the curriculum and assist each other with instructional activities. Assignment of a co-mentor is not guaranteed and it depends on the program. 

ONLINE (VIRTUAL) INSTRUCTION
If the camp activities are held online, we will be using an online conference system to hold classes. Each mentor group will have an online conference account to hold small group classes. We will utilize breakout rooms for individual mentoring whenever possible. Zoom will be our software.

DO I NEED TRAINING TO BE A MENTOR?
Yes, it is mandatory to complete online training on “Child Protection Training -Preventing sexual abuse and child molestation” through the UH system. Additionally, there will be training on how to work with young children, camp procedures, and camp topics (Coding, 3D Printing, Digital Storytelling, Python, and Game Design), and on the camp curriculum prior to the camp start date.

AM I GOING TO RECEIVE TRAINING ON THE CURRICULUM?
Yes, you will receive materials and lesson plans ahead of the camp. You are expected to self-study and be prepared. There will be 1-2 days of online or in-person (live) curriculum training prior to the camp start date. 

BioTechnology Academy training will be in-person for a week at the UH Main campus labs. 

WHO WILL BE MY SUPERVISOR?
You will report to the camp director(s).

CAN I BE ABSENT ON SOME DAYS?
We expect full attendance unless there is an emergency or a valid excuse. In rare cases, we may be able to cover your mentor duties.