In2Science

What is In2Science?

In2science is a science peer mentoring program that works to engage high school students from low socio-economic areas with science and maths. University students volunteer their time to work as a mentor in year 7 to 10 science or maths classrooms or as an online eMentor for 10-week placements.  

Over the 10 weeks you will get to know the students and encourage them to relate the science/maths they are studying in class to their lives and interests outside of school with the aim of inspiring students to get excited about and pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) to year 12 and beyond. You will show that scientists are diverse people not restricted to lab coats and that science is important in many aspects of our lives!

Volunteering with In2science is a great way to give back to the community while developing your communication skills, enhancing your resume, getting a taste for the classroom and informing our society about the importance and wonders of science.

Who coordinates the program?

Dr Jarrod McKenna

Dr Jarrod McKenna is the program coordinator for the University of Melbourne. Dr McKenna completed his PhD at Monash University in 2021 in reproductive biology whilst working as a primates keeper for four years at Melbourne Zoo. Dr McKenna is also a science communicator and a regular science expert on television, radio stations, and podcasts to help make science as interesting and accessible as possible.

Emailscience-in2science@unimelb.edu.au

Benefits to the In2Science mentors

  • Training, support and career development opportunities
  • Developing communication and interpersonal skills
  • Enhance your resume
  • Show that scientists are diverse people not restricted to lab coats
  • First-hand experience of teaching as a possible vocational pathway
  • The satisfaction of assisting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you need to be a student studying towards a degree within the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering and IT or Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and must have completed the first year of your undergraduate studies or be at any stage of studying towards a postgraduate degree.

If your studies are STEM-related but are outside of the Faculties listed above and have any queries regarding your eligibility, please get in touch.

Time commitment

If selected, you will be required to attend one ~4-hour training session together with other trainee In2science mentors. This normally takes place the week before the semester starts or during the first week of the semester.

The program runs for 10 weeks during the semester with one class visit (or online meeting for e-mentors) per week. Visits last from ~1 to ~1.5 hours depending on the length of the particular class. Travel times vary depending on school location, but we expect the total visit to take no more than ~3 hours including travel to and from the school.

Note that travel to and from classes is reimbursed at the end of the semester.

How to apply

Applications are open all year round. However, the cut-off for each semester is the week prior to the semester beginning, and any applications after this time will be considered for the following semester.

Apply here

For more information, email Dr McKenna at the address below:
science-in2science@unimelb.edu.au