Letter of Support from Dr. Dorothy Welch, Mentor Connection Coordinator
For almost a decade, as I guided Mentor Connection students in many fields toward completion of projects that demonstrate professional-level expertise combined with real world application, I realized that many students of similar promise throughout the United States, but particularly in New York and California, were winning significant recognition and scholarship opportunities through International Science Fair and Intel (Westinghouse) Science Talent Search opportunities.
It became my goal to design a segment of Mentor Connection to become a Minnesota base for developing and nurturing future scientists.
When I met Princesa VanBuren, a Westinghouse finalist from Minnesota, I knew that we could do it. Under her guidance the Science Mentorship program has grown in numbers of dedicated participants, measurable indicators of success, and is growing an expanded mission to serve middle school students.
Princesa is a professional research scientist, an experienced and highly successful International Science Fair and Westinghouse competitor, and an inspirational coach whose high standards encourage young scientists to experience the excitement of scientific discovery and the fun of intellectual collaboration.
I am proud of the dimensions that SciMent has brought to Mentor Connection and I anticipate growing success in the future.
Dorothy B Welch, PhD
Mentor Connection Instructor
Intermediate School District 287
Gifted Education Services