Overview

The cumulative project for this program is the development of a research exploration poster. Under the guidance of a senior and a near-peer mentor, the students will invent a research question related to alcohol, substance use, and mental health. They will identify and interpret various independent sources to prepare their research poster and presentation.

Poster Session Examples

Poster Template

2023 Pacing Guide

The Research, Evaluation, and Measurement (REM) Center at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) provided evaluation services for the Teen Science Ambassador Program. The Teen Science Ambassador Program team made modifications to the lessons based on feedback collected from REM lead focus groups in 2022. 

Orientation Day

• Ambassadors will complete a research question brainstorming session. 

• Ambassadors will submit their research brainstorm to the program team. 

Session 2

• Ambassadors, Near-peer mentors, and Senior mentors will refine the Ambassador's research question. 

• Ambassadors will submit their research questions to the program team. 

Session 3

• Ambassadors will reflect on how their research topic impacts the teen brain. 

• Ambassadors will review the near-peer mentors' research posters to prepare for the practice poster session (session 4) 

Session 4

• Ambassadors will visit at least 3 posters during the TSAP poster session practice. 

• Near-peer mentors will remain at their posters for at least 15 minutes.

• Near-peer mentors will present a 1–2-minute project pitch

• The Senior mentor will help their mentee(s) analyze at least one source. 

Session 5

• Ambassadors will have one of their sources identified for their research project.

• Near-peer mentors will identify 2-3 sources related to their mentee's research question.

•  Near-peer mentors will share these sources with the Senior mentor before session 5.

• The Senior mentor will help their mentee(s) analyze at least one source.

Session 6

• Ambassadors will have two sources for their research project. 

• The Senior mentor will help their mentee(s) analyze at least one source. 

Session 7

• Ambassadors will have three sources for their research project. 

• Near-peer mentors will identify 2-3 sources related to their mentee's research question. 

• Near-peer mentors will share these sources with the Senior mentor before session 7. 

• The Senior mentor will help their mentee(s) analyze at least one source. 

Session 8

• Ambassadors will submit a draft of their 1–2-minute project pitch.

• Ambassadors will submit their posters the Monday before session 9.

• Near-peer mentors will draw on their Ambassador experiences and bring examples of their projects to help their Ambassadors.

Session 9

• Ambassadors will practice their 1–2-minute project pitch with their TSAP cousins (Ambassadors and Near-peer mentors who are not in their TSAP family).

• Ambassadors will practice their 1–2-minute project pitch before the cohort.

•  Near-peer mentors advise their TSAP cousins (Ambassadors not in their TSAP family) to practice their 1-2 project pitch.

Session 10

• Ambassadors will give their 1–2-minute project pitch at graduation before the poster session.

• Ambassadors will remain at their posters for at least 30 minutes.

• Near-peer mentors will remain at the poster session for at least 30 minutes. During this time, they will engage with the Ambassadors' poster presentations.