Summer Mentor Resource Page
Here you will find all of the information you and your lab needs to have a successful summer as a Direct Mentor of an OER Summer Researcher! Action Items, Calendars, Program Updates will all be here so please check this page regularly.
YOU WANT TO BE A SUMMER INTERNSHIP MENTOR?
No, your student will receive a weekly paycheck but it is funded by department and grant contributions. You can also request up to $300 to purchase lab supplies. OER will also cover the cost of your intern's ID; poster printing; and travel.
The Summer Internship Program seeks to provide students with hands-on research experience as well as academic development.
After completing the program, students will have a deeper understanding of research processes, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and enhanced professional skills that will benefit their future academic or career interests.
Through our spring pipeline programs, students will have learned basic lab techniques such as pipetting, gel electrophoresis, research article review, note taking etc. Students will be familiar with traveling to Penn Medicine.
The 2025 Summer internship will go for six weeks starting on Monday June 23, 2025 – Friday August 1, 2025. There is an additional week focused on clinical experiences held from August 4th - 8th. Research mentors are not responsible for their intern during this week.
Monday June 23rd: Intern Orientation (Mentors pick up students from Orientation)
Friday August 1st: Poster Presentation/Celebration
The summer interns are in the lab for research Monday – Friday only (no weekends) arriving no earlier than 9am and should depart no later than 5pm. Students are not bound to a strict 9am to 5pm as they may arrive later depending on scheduling with their mentor or depart earlier if work is concluded for the day. Interns will have college and career development every Wednesday from 12-5 and will not be in the lab. You will not be responsible for them during this time. A full calendar will be made accessible before the start of the program.
The office of Outreach, Education, & Research, prior to the internship, will provide mentors with both an orientation and several information sessions that will help you prepare for the summer internship. A lab visit will also take place to check in with mentors. During the summer, OER staff will be available to answer any questions, as well as address any professional, medical, or personal situations that may arise.
All interns will complete basic lab safety and HIPAA training before they are permitted to start working in a lab. Our office will handle these training sessions. In addition, if your intern needs additional IACUC or other specialized online training, we can help add them to their Workday account once they are hired.
There are three major requirements to becoming a mentor. More information about these requirements will be sent to you once your participation is confirmed.
- All mentors are required to get their clearances before the program begins. This is Pennsylvania state law.
- We ask each mentor to create an intro/welcome video that can be shared with the interns.
- Mentors are expected to communicate with the OER staff. First by attending an orientation prior to the start of the program. In addition, there will be at least one lab visit over the course of the program. Mentors are asked to communicate any concerns that may arise as soon as they occur. Lastly, we send surveys throughout the program to obtain feedback and ask mentors to complete surveys (both mid and post program). This should be an enjoyable experience for both the intern and mentor and we expect that you will have fun!
There should be daily communication with the intern as it relates to scheduling, lab work, absences, events that are taking place in the lab. Any attendance concerns, medical accidents, behavioral concerns, or program questions should be directed to the internship coordinator immediately.
The direct mentor is responsible for completing the PATCH, PA Child Abuse, and FBI Fingerprints. The Patch and Child Abuse clearances are free of charge. The FBI fingerprinting has a small fee. All mentors are reimbursed for the fee after they submit there results.
Instructions for Part I & II (Patch and Child Abuse – Free)
Instructions for Part III (FBI Fingerprinting – Fee)
Open communication is a great start as well and being present (meaningful engagement). Invite the intern to lab events outside of just research – i.e. lunches, talks, and departmental events. Remember that the intern is still a high school student – remember you were once as well. :)
