2020 MAYO Clinic SPARK Research Mentorship Program
We are pleased to announce that for the 3rd year, Joe Berg Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in a truly unique research and mentorship opportunity from the Mayo Clinic in Florida- The Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
The mission of the SPARK Research Mentorship Program at Mayo Clinic in Florida is to provide high school students in Duval and St. Johns counties mentored research experiences in world class laboratories at Mayo Clinic in Florida which will help them develop a basic understanding of scientific research and produce a highly-competitive science fair project.
The mission of the SPARK Research Mentorship Program at Mayo Clinic in Florida is to provide high school students in Duval and St. Johns counties mentored research experiences in world class laboratories at Mayo Clinic in Florida which will help them develop a basic understanding of scientific research and produce a highly-competitive science fair project.
What is SPARK?
- Research mentorship program at Mayo Clinic in Florida (MCF)
- Mentored research experiences in world class laboratories at MCF
- Help SPARK students develop a basic understanding of scientific research
- Produce a highly-competitive science fair project
Eligibility and Opportunity
High school students in Duval and St. Johns Counties who are interested in biomedical science will be provided an opportunity to design and carry out research projects within world class research laboratories in the Discovery and Translation Labs at Mayo Clinic in Florida (4500 San
Pablo Road, Jacksonville FL 32224). Students will conduct majority of the research during the summer break (20 hours/week) and use lab time as needed once school resumes, through end of calendar year or school science fair, whichever occurs first.
Pablo Road, Jacksonville FL 32224). Students will conduct majority of the research during the summer break (20 hours/week) and use lab time as needed once school resumes, through end of calendar year or school science fair, whichever occurs first.
Selection Process
High school students in Duval and St. Johns Counties who are interested in biomedical science will be provided an opportunity to design and carry out research projects within world class research laboratories in the Discovery and Translation Labs at Mayo Clinic in Florida (4500 San
Pablo Road, Jacksonville FL 32224). Students will conduct majority of the research during the summer break (20 hours/week) and use lab time as needed once school resumes, through end of calendar year or school science fair, whichever occurs first.
1. The process is competitive and dependent upon faculty mentor availability. The number of students selected per year will be based on the participation of faculty mentors. Faculty mentors from Mayo Clinic will provide a general overview of the research and techniques available for
students to pursue in their laboratories on their lab websites listed in the Program Overview.
Information will be provided to members of the Jacksonville Joe Berg Seminars, and highly-qualified students in all Duval and St. Johns County schools as outlined in the Initial Pre-screening criteria.
Using the Mayo Clinic Program Abstract Form, students will write a one-page research abstract of original research that they wish to pursue which follows the guidelines of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), and also identify a laboratory in which to work. The websites for eligible laboratories are provided to students on the last page of this document. It is recommended that students write a second one-page research abstract as a backup, selecting a second laboratory in case their first-choice laboratory selects another candidate.
2. Initial prescreening
a. Membership in the Joe Berg Seminar Series
b. Enrolled in Duval County or St. Johns County school district,
c. All students must meet the following criteria in order to apply:
3. Selection Process
A Mayo Clinic committee will select high-qualified candidates for interviews based on the number of faculty mentors. The final screening will include one-on-one interviews with the facultSEy mentors with each mentor making the final selection of an applicant to mentor.
Deadlines and Events:
The selection process is designed to allow students time to develop competitive projects for high school science fairs.
Length of project may last until time of Science Fair and into district and National competition if the project continues to progress. Students must complete safety training and receive Mayo badge before beginning research in lab.
Expectations of Students
Pablo Road, Jacksonville FL 32224). Students will conduct majority of the research during the summer break (20 hours/week) and use lab time as needed once school resumes, through end of calendar year or school science fair, whichever occurs first.
1. The process is competitive and dependent upon faculty mentor availability. The number of students selected per year will be based on the participation of faculty mentors. Faculty mentors from Mayo Clinic will provide a general overview of the research and techniques available for
students to pursue in their laboratories on their lab websites listed in the Program Overview.
Information will be provided to members of the Jacksonville Joe Berg Seminars, and highly-qualified students in all Duval and St. Johns County schools as outlined in the Initial Pre-screening criteria.
Using the Mayo Clinic Program Abstract Form, students will write a one-page research abstract of original research that they wish to pursue which follows the guidelines of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), and also identify a laboratory in which to work. The websites for eligible laboratories are provided to students on the last page of this document. It is recommended that students write a second one-page research abstract as a backup, selecting a second laboratory in case their first-choice laboratory selects another candidate.
2. Initial prescreening
a. Membership in the Joe Berg Seminar Series
b. Enrolled in Duval County or St. Johns County school district,
c. All students must meet the following criteria in order to apply:
- Enrolled as a junior or senior at a Duval or St. Johns County high school for the 2018-2019 school year
- Minimum of 3.5 unweighted GPA
- Letter of Recommendation from current high school science teacher
- Letter of Recommendation from current high school guidance counselor and/or other personnel as determined by school district
3. Selection Process
A Mayo Clinic committee will select high-qualified candidates for interviews based on the number of faculty mentors. The final screening will include one-on-one interviews with the facultSEy mentors with each mentor making the final selection of an applicant to mentor.
Deadlines and Events:
The selection process is designed to allow students time to develop competitive projects for high school science fairs.
- January 1, 2020. Yearly announcement and circulation of Mayo Mentors and projects within each Mayo lab.
- January 13, 2020. Application period opens. (Applications will not be accepted prior to this date)
- February 24, 2020. Completed application packets from students are due.
- March 2 - 30, 2020. Application Review and Interviews.
- April 6, 2020. Acceptance communications go out.
- June 4, 2020. Orientation and safety training modules on Mayo Clinic campus* Required
- July 31, 2020. Event- SPARK Student Research Presentations* Required
- December 8, 2020. SPARK Mini Science Fair at Mayo Clinic* Required
Length of project may last until time of Science Fair and into district and National competition if the project continues to progress. Students must complete safety training and receive Mayo badge before beginning research in lab.
Expectations of Students
- Prior to beginning work in the lab, students will be required to complete online lab safety training modules and additional instructions as determined by faculty mentor and lab supervisor.
- Lab notebooks will be maintained as documentation of experiments.
- It is expected that a minimum of 20 lab hours per week (weekdays and/or weekends) will be required during the summer break for a successful project to be completed for deadlines of the Science Fair. When school resumes, a flexible schedule will be determined and agreed upon between the student and faculty mentor.
- Student must compete in either the Northeast Florida Regional Science Fair or the St. Johns County Science Fair. If the student attends a DCPS school, then the student also needs to submit to the DCPS Secondary Science Fair in January 2019.
- Students are expected to compete in the State and international science fairs, if their projects are selected.
- Students are responsible for their own transportation.
- Ensure that daily supervision is provided in the lab before work begins.
- Note the REQUIRED training and events in Deadlines and Events section
For program information, visit www.mayo.edu/spark or email [email protected]