Mentoring Programs

 

As part of a mentoring program, a mentee (e.g., school student) is paired up with an experienced mentor (e.g., university student), who passes along knowledge, experiences and valuable tips to the mentee and gives a realistic look into the MINT program (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences and technology) and imparts a fascination for science.

In general, mentoring involves the commitment of an experienced individual (mentor), who within the context of a personal relationship passes along knowledge and experiences to a less experienced person (mentee) to boost their development, support them in reaching their goals and accompany them for a certain time.

Students and doctoral candidates (not just in mathematics) interested in becoming a mentor are needed on an ongoing basis for both programs.

 

TANDEMkids

Grades 6 to 9

TANDEMkids program is geared to school students across Germany in grades 6 to 9 in all types of schools. The participating school students are assigned a personal mentor for the duration of one year. The mentors are students or Ph.D. candidates from the MINT programs (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences and technology) at RWTH Aachen. The goal is to generate interest among school students for technical and natural science topics beyond gender-specific notions and to provide them with information appropriate for their age about aspects like university studies or choice of profession.

The exchange between all participants takes place on an Internet-based platform in a protected environment that provides a variety of communication and interactive options such as e-mail, chat rooms or forums.
In addition, a program is offered in which the school students can participate. The program includes excursions and visits to events or workshops at RWTH Aachen. Here they can get to know each other and experience different areas at RWTH Aachen up close.

Registration via the Tandemkids website (de) is possible any time.

 

TANDEMschool

Grade 10 and Up

The mentoring program TANDEMschool is geared to school students in grade 10 and up who are interested in pursuing a university program in a MINT subject (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, and technology). Every participant is assigned a personal tandem partner or mentor. The mentors are specially trained students and Ph.D. candidates from RWTH Aachen who are chosen according to the wishes and interests of the mentees.

The tandem partners (mentees and mentors) are in regular contact with each other over a period of one year through e-mail, Internet chat rooms and personal meetings and can exchange information on all topics dealing with the program, science, research and other interests with a view to getting a realistic idea of what it is like to study a MINT subject and to become familiar with RWTH through the eyes of insiders. In addition to the exchange of thoughts and experiences with the mentors which are aimed to help identify the right program and profession the networking with each other is another focus.

The mentoring relationship is enhanced by a program with events and common activities aimed at networking all the mentees and mentors with each other and by the option to take part in various workshops like the school student university or summer and winter schools.

Since communication with the mentor can take place in a variety of forms (e.g., e-mails, telephone, Internet chat rooms and/or personal meetings), TANDEMschool is geared not only to school students from the area but also from other states and even other countries. New participants are accepted into the program twice a year in May and November.

Registrations by way of an informal e-mail to the TANDEMschool coordinator are always welcome.