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Honors Mentor Connection Detailed Information

Honors​ ​Mentor​ ​Connection​ ​is​ ​an​ ​advanced​ ​learning​ ​experience​ ​for​ high school ​students​ ​who​ ​seek​ a challenge,​ ​and​ ​who​ ​are​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​explore​ ​their academic and professional​ ​goals​ ​for​ ​the​ ​future.

Students​ ​who​ ​have​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​study​ ​under​ ​the​ ​guidance​ ​of​ ​a​ ​professional​ may ​have​ ​access to​ ​unique​ ​learning​ ​resources:

  • Academic​ ​and​ ​professional​ ​expertise,
  • State-of-the-art​ ​equipment​ ​and​ ​facilities,
  • ​Professional​ ​conferences​ ​and​ ​publications,
  • Colleagues​ ​of​ ​the​ ​mentor,
  • Authentic​ ​experience-based​ ​learning​ ​immersed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​culture​ ​of​ ​the​ ​field, and
  • Innovative​ ​processes​ ​of​ ​research,​ ​development,​ ​and/or​ ​production

It​ ​is​ ​through​ ​the​ ​kindness​ ​and​ ​generosity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​finest​ ​corporations,​ ​institutions,​ ​and​ ​individuals from​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​metropolitan​ ​area​ ​that​ ​Honors​ ​Mentor​ ​Connection​ ​is​ ​able​ ​to​ ​provide extraordinary​ ​learning​ ​experiences​ ​for​ ​highly​ ​talented​ ​and​ ​motivated​ ​students​ ​guided​ ​by eminent​ ​professionals.

Honors Mentor Connection (HMC) courses are the equivalent of two year-long advanced learning experience for high school seniors or juniors who seek academic challenge and who are ready to explore their goals for the future by participating in advanced study under the guidance of a professional in one of the following fields:

Art (14510-20-30-40): Dance, writing, music, sculpture, design, photography, architecture, theater

Medicine and Health (67510-20-30-40): Any medical specialty, including nontraditional medicine

Social and Behavioral Science (89510-20-30-40): Law, psychology, economics, social work, community service, politics, business, or other areas

Physical and Environmental Science (XXX10-20-30-40): Astronomy, physics, thermodynamics, electronics, sensors, bioremediation, ecosystems management, environmental engineering, land resource management, pollution, or ecosystem impacts

Chemistry and Life Science (XXX10-20-30-40): Chemistry, energy and alternative fuels, material science, plant physiology, population genetics, general biochemistry, microbiology

Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (XXX10-20-30-40): Aerospace, aerodynamics, electrical engineering, vehicle development, mechanical engineering, robotics, probability and statistics, databases, and computer engineering

Students will spend the first part of the year learning about professional skill building, becoming acquainted with the literature of the profession and conducting informational interviews with experts in the field.

From these interviews the students will nominate a mentor, the person with whom they will work for the rest of the school year and complete a professional-level project that has real-world application. The student is expected to spend four to six hours per week under the guidance of the mentor.

One of the key assignments during the year is the creation of a professional digital portfolio where the public and community can see your work. Here’s a dance photography mentee’s portfolio.

Other assignments include:

  • Developing a professional resume
  • Conducting 8 informational interviews
  • Reading and annotating 8 articles from professional journals
  • Creating a professional-level project under the mentor’s guidance

Mentorship students develop an early professional reputation through a mutually beneficial mentor-protégé relationship, as they find ways in their day-to-day work at their mentorship sites to contribute to the mentor’s goals. They build skills in the areas of professional development, personal development, and leadership. Their experiences build a network of professionals and leaders, as well as peers who are emerging professionals and leaders.

Registration options: The HMC course is divided into four sections to be taken during a single school year: 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B.

Option 1: 

  • HMC 1A taken during spring semester
  • HMC 1B taken during the summer session
  • HMC 2A taken during the fall semester
  • HMC 2B taken in the following spring

Option 2:

  • HMC 1A & 1B taken during the summer session
  • HMC 2A taken during the fall semester
  • HMC 2B taken during the spring semester

Option 3:

  • HMC 1A & 1B taken during the fall semester
  • HMC 2A & 2B taken during the spring semester

For more information, contact us!

Please check out the Science Mentorship pages for specific information on the Science Mentorship (SciMent) Progam.

To apply, see this information on the Enrollment process

For even more in-depth information please read the HMC Summary Paper (PDF).

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What’s New?

Registration for Summer 2021 is open now!


Check out our new courses!


  • American Sign Language
  • EmpowerU: Resilience Skills
  • Criminal Justice Internship

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Intermediate District 287

Intermediate District 287 is proud to provide Northern Star Online to Minnesota students on behalf of our consortium members:


Eden Prairie Public Schools | Edina Public Schools | Hopkins Online Academy
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