National History Day in Minnesota

Mentoring Program

University of Minnesota

Department of History

Minnesota Historical Society

For 22 years the Minnesota History Day program has been…

…a growing success story…

1989 Chair

History Day TA

Event Helper

•Budget: $17,500

•Participants: 8 schools, 300 students

MHSHead of Education

•Budget: $300,000

2004

•Budget: $425,000

2008

Mentoring Program History

Initiated…By a grant from the Cargill Foundation (2003-2004)

Sustained…By support from CLA and the History Department (2005-2009)

Expanded…By funding from President Bruininks and other donors

solicited by CLA (2005-2010)

MentorCourse

UMTC Mentors are required to:

• Commit to 100 hours of service (school, class, events)

• Attend class and library training sessions

• Write a reflective essay

• Prepare a final group presentation about their school experience

How Do Mentors Find the Students to Work With?

The “Self-Selection” Process

Start by going into the school and presenting to all of the History Day students

Certain students are more interested in the project and seek help from the mentors

After each competition there are fewer students working on projects and personalized attention increases

Annual Mentor Bowl-a-thon

Mentor Program begins to shift

the basic operating

mission of MN HD and opens

up new evaluation

opportunities

Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program

Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program

• Support teachers in the classroom

Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program

• Support teachers in the classroom• Teach students translatable skills

Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program

• Support teachers in the classroom• Teach students translatable skills• Provide equitable access to educational

resources for inner-city and rural students

Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program

• Support teachers in the classroom• Teach students translatable skills• Provide equitable access to educational

resources for inner-city and rural students• Prepare pathways to higher education

Key Goals of the History DayMentoring Program

• Support teachers in the classroom• Teach students translatable skills• Provide equitable access to educational

resources for inner-city and rural students• Prepare pathways to higher education• Make a difference in the lives of youth

Creating Pathways to Academic Success

• Provide individual attention to those who need extra help (emerging learners)

• Serve as informal advisors about college life and the skills needed for higher education

• Connect students with U of M campus

Direct Role of Mentors in Assisting with History Day Projects

• Help students with topic selection

Direct Role of Mentors in Assisting with History Day Projects

• Help students with topic selection

• Develop thesis statements

Direct Role of Mentors in Assisting with History Day Projects

• Help students with topic selection

• Develop thesis statements

• Expand access to research resources at the U of M

Direct Role of Mentors in Assisting with History Day Projects

• Help students with topic selection

• Develop thesis statements

• Expand access to research resources at the U of M

• Provide advice and support for project creation

How Mentors Provide Support to Classroom Teachers

How Mentors Provide Support to Classroom Teachers

• Mentors work both in class and after school

How Mentors Provide Support to Classroom Teachers

• Mentors work both in class and after school

• Mentors can give students a full class hour, or more, of individualized attention

How Mentors Provide Support to Classroom Teachers

• Mentors work both in class and after school

• Mentors can give students a full class hour, or more, of individualized attention

• Mentors help students reach deadlines by revising drafts and checking up on work

A Transformative Resource

“The experience of researching with a college mentor at Wilson Library was the most valuable experience for students.”

Jan WeaverWashburn High School

Campus visits allow students to:

• Find unique primary and secondary sources

• Experience campus beyond the usual tour

• Increase their confidence about making a return visit

• Learn that campus squirrels are crazy and should be avoided

Mentors help staff other library outreach programs

Mentor “Power Conference”

Reference Help

Presentation Workshops

“Because of the research skills I learned from

History Day, I was able to do well during my first year at the U, compared to other students (freshmen) who did not get the chance to do it. I knew how to use academic websites and citations.

Long-Term Impact

Also, knowing some places at the U even before I became a student there was

important. Wilson became my favorite place when I first came to the U because I used it as a high school student, and it still remains my favorite place.”

Ibrahim Hirsi

Long-Term Impact

“Without the mentors, we would have been

messed up.”

Why does this work?

Rigor

Relevance

Personal

Relationships

Evaluations show that our key academic indicators go up if students work

with a mentor

How much does this cost?

Mentor Stipend: $1,250 for a semester

Mentor Expenses: $250

Graduate Assistant: $500

MHS Administration: $500

TOTAL: $2,500

Results

• Mentors have a direct impact on student achievement

• Increased access for U of M Admissions Office

• Creates a model for multi-campus community outreach

The Minnesota History Day program has regional partnerships with:

• Six State Universities

• Three Private Colleges

• Three U of M Campuses

Statewide Outreach

The Bottom Line

The History Day mentoring program provides students throughout Minnesota with a structure that has high academic expectations and support services to improve student achievement.

Think big but

start small

Think big but

start small

The results could be monumental!