![EnvironMentors](http://ncseonline.org/sites/default/files/category_pictures/isHeaderEnvironMentors.jpg "EnvironMentors is a national college access initiative that prepares high school students from under-represented backgrounds for college degree programs in environmental and related science fields.  EnvironMentors is a collaborative effort of colleges and universities, our mentors, aspiring high school students, science teachers, government agencies, community organizations, foundations and businesses who generously support our work.We match minority high school students with college and university faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and science and environmental professionals, in one-to-one mentoring relationships. Working together, students and mentors develop rigorous environmental science research projects over the course of the academic year.Founded in Washington, DC in 1992, EnvironMentors joined the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) in 2006 to expand the program and create new chapters at colleges and universities across the country.NCSE's University Affiliate program, an established formal network of over 150 colleges and universities, provides an ideal infrastructure to expand EnvironMentors' national presence and strengthen the program's college access pathway. Over the coming years, NCSE will launch new EnvironMentors chapters in partnership with affiliate universities to extend the benefits of EnvironMentors to students from under-served communities across the United States. An over-arching goal of the EnvironMentors college access program is to increase the diversity of students in environmentally-related college degree programs and the workforce of the "new green economy."The DC Chapter of EnvironMentors has established a proven record of success in raising the interest level and preparedness of diverse high school students for science and environmental college degree programs. Nearly 2,500 DC high school students have participated in EnvironMentors. 96% of students that have had a DC EnvironMentors experience in high school graduate, and 92% of them are accepted to college.  As the EnvironMentors program expands nationally, the flagship DC program will serve as a model chapter.Each spring, EnvironMentors students present their projects to elementary school classes in their respective school districts and to a team of judges at each chapter's EnvironMentors Fair. The top three students from each chapter travel to Washington, DC to present their project at the National EnvironMentors Fair. The season concludes with the gala EnvironMentors Awards Ceremony at which students who have excelled in the program receive scholarships to college. A $10,000 scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving EnvironMentors student who has excelled in the program and who personally elects to pursue an environmentally-related college degree program. EnvironMentors' integrative approach to identifying pressing environmental issues through hands-on application of the scientific method supported by a mentor has proven beneficial for most all of our students and life changing for some.")
EnvironMentors
Founde
d in 1992 as an environment-based mentoring program, EnvironMentors envisions young adult leaders from all cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds becoming active stewards of their communities and the environment. By creating a bridge that encourages underserved youth to explore environmental education in college we open potential pathways for them to move toward successful environmental careers.
Over the course of the school year, students work with mentors to develop rigorous environmental science projects based on relevant environmental circumstances in their communities. Upon completion of their chosen research projects, they develop lesson plans and present to an elementary school class, at local science fairs, as well as at the annual EnvironMentors Science Fair where they have a chance to compete for college scholarships.
Currently, EnvironMentors has expanded to include twelve chapters at: Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Arkansas State University, Colorado State University, Heritage University, Kean University, Louisiana State University, North Carolina State University, University of California, Davis, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, West Virginia University, and the flagship DC EnvironMentors Chapter.
With our proven and successful environment-focused college pathway, EnvironMentors is uniquely positioned to increase the number of under-represented students in environmental and related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields nationwide and help build a diverse, skilled workforce for the new green economy. Students, who would typically not have the exposure or opportunities to access environmental and related degrees and careers, gain invaluable mentoring, scientific research skills and support in college preparation. Equally important, students become more informed and active stewards of their local communities and the environment through EnvironMentors.
