Virtual Trips to Extreme Environments

VIRTEX Mentors

NASA-funded scientists who work in extreme environments are invited to become VIRTEX Mentors! With training and support, mentors will act as STEM role models as they connect with teams of students (ages 10-15) at a partnering Boys & Girls Club.

Who: We’re looking for NASA-funded scientists, engineers, and technicians (including early career researchers) who conduct research in exciting, “extreme” environments such as remote field locations, unique laboratory settings, aircraft, mountain tops, underwater laboratories, and more. In particular, we are seeking mentors from historically marginalized communities. Not sure if you’re the right fit? Reach out to us with questions!

When: VIRTEX is in the early stages of development. Pilot testing will begin in Spring 2024. The program will be accepting Mentors into 2026.

How: We will connect mentors with teams of students at participating Boys & Girls Clubs (BGCs) across the United States. BGCs conduct life-enhancing out-of-school programs, providing a safe haven for youth. Mentors will engage in three live video conference discussions with their team and correspond with students via online messaging (see expected time commitment below). Students will be tasked with “driving” these interactions— mentors will not be expected to prepare presentations, lessons, or activities. No in-person interactions are required but are welcome if possible. Following the interactions, students will create video essays to share with their communities, highlighting what they have learned and how it informs their future career paths.

Extreme Environments: NASA research spans the globe — happening in ways, places, and conditions that people may never expect. VIRTEX will leverage the excitement of these extreme environments to inspire young learners. To accomplish this, we ask that mentors conduct one of the videoconferences at an exciting research location such as a remote field site (a virtual “field trip” for the students)*. If connectivity permits, the mentors can use cell phones or tablets to give the students a virtual tour of the site while answering their questions. Mentors are also welcome to share information during the other video conferences about how they prepare for their field work, as well as their research, their career path and plans, their hobbies and interests, and more.

*We acknowledge that limited connectivity can complicate this expectation for some research teams. If you are interested in this program but are unsure about whether you can meet this requirement, please reach out. Alternative options are available.

Expectations:

Time commitment: Up to 3 hours of online virtual discussions with students, 3 hours responding to student messages, and 2 hours of mentor training for a total of 8 hours, across an estimated period of 2 or 3 months. Mentors are welcome to spend additional time in communication with their student team, or to mentor additional teams.

Establishing personal connections is key to successful mentoring. Be prepared to share about yourself: your interests and hobbies and motivations, how your life and career have been influenced by others, the challenges you have faced and how you overcame them, and the role that creativity and collaboration play in your work. Students may be interested in how you persisted in spite of academic struggles and in how you overcame cultural or racial or gender barriers.

Mentor preparation: Mentors will receive training resources including information about best practices for mentoring youth, especially youth from historically marginalized communities. We anticipate two hours of your time will be needed to review the training materials. Training materials will be ready in early 2024. For more in-depth training, Mentors are encouraged (but not required) to attend a Planetary ReaCH workshop.

Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs (BGCs) throughout the United States interested in participating in the VIRTEX program are invited to apply! Club teams of 10 to 20 students will virtually meet with their Mentors, who conduct research in extreme environments such as remote field locations, unique laboratory settings, aircraft, mountain tops, underwater laboratories, and more! With curriculum, training, and support, Club staff will facilitate teams of students (ages 10-15) as they prepare to meet with their NASA Mentor and explore activities that connect to STEM careers, NASA research, problem-solving skills, and communication and collaboration.

Extreme Environments: NASA research spans the globe — happening in ways, places, and conditions that people may never expect. VIRTEX will leverage the excitement of these extreme environments to inspire young learners. To accomplish this, one of the videoconferences with Mentors will be conducted at an exciting research location such as a remote field site (a virtual “field trip” for the students). Mentors will give their team of students a virtual tour of the site while answering their questions. Mentors will share information during the other video conferences about how they prepare for their field work, as well as their research, their career path and plans, their hobbies and interests, and more.

Who: We’re looking for BGCs serving teams of students ages 10-15 who are interested in learning more about NASA careers and research in exciting, “extreme” environments. Each Club’s team should have between 10 and 20 students. In particular, we are seeking BGCs who primarily serve historically marginalized communities, with leaders who are passionate about participating in this program. Not sure if you’re the right fit? Reach out to us with questions!

When: VIRTEX is in the early stages of development. Several of the activities and the training will be available by April 2024. A few BGCs will be selected for pilot testing in Spring to Summer 2024. The program will be accepting approximately 100 BGCs from 2024 to 2026.

How: Selected BGCs will be able to choose and reach out to a potential Mentor through the VIRTEX site.

• BGC staff will conduct activities with their students to prepare them to lead conversations with their Mentors. Activities will include hands-on interactive components, will be flexible and easy to modify, and use cheap and accessible materials. Clubs will select at least 4 activities to conduct with their students, out of a larger pool of options.
• BGCs will engage in three live video conference discussions with their Mentor through a Zoom meeting that we can provide. BGCs will also correspond at least 3 times asynchronously with their Mentor via online messaging or emails. Students will be tasked with “driving” these interactions— mentors will not be expected to prepare presentations.
• Following the interactions, students will create video essays to share with their communities, highlighting what they have learned and how it informs their future career paths.

Videos and Symposium: Club teams that submit a video essay to VIRTEX at the conclusion of their activities will be entered into a video competition. The winning team’s members and their chaperones will receive travel funding to attend a VIRTEX Symposium in Houston, Texas, where they can hear from and meet with mentors and visit laboratory facilities. Other Club teams will be invited to join aspects of the Symposium virtually.

Expectations:

Time commitment:

• BGC staff will spend approximately 3 hours in training and reviewing training and curriculum, with one hour spent in either live videoconferenced training or reviewing training videos.
• Clubs will complete at least 4 of the VIRTEX activities provided to provide students with context and information about NASA research and with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to drive the virtual interactions with their Mentors. Each activity will be 30 to 45 minutes long.
• Club teams will conduct at least 3 virtual sessions (each approximately 30 minutes) with their Mentors and correspond with their Mentors at least 3 times online.
• All activities, virtual sessions, etc, should be completed within about 8 weeks.

Staff preparation: BGC staff will receive training and resources to prepare them to facilitate the student activities. We anticipate three hours of your time will be needed to review the training materials. Initial trainings and materials will be ready by April 2024.