Independent Research and Intern/Mentor Programs
The G/T Resource Teacher facilitates classroom and internship experiences, focusing on advanced-level research methodologies, college-level writing,and oral presentation skills. Students in the Independent Research course receive professional feedback from project advisors, while Intern/Mentor students apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in an authentic, professional environment.
Recent Student Internship
Dreams Become Reality for NASA High School Intern
Liza Goldberg, an HCPSS student intern at NASA, conducted graduate-level science research and presented her work to scientists at the 2017 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference.
G/T Independent Research
Students interested in applying for the G/T Intern/Mentor course should contact their school’s G/T Resource Teacher to obtain an application packet.
Applications are available in December and must be returned to the G/T Resource Teacher in January (please contact the school’s G/T Resource Teacher for the application deadline for this school year).
See the G/T Research Class Essential Curriculum 
for more details on the research class.
G/T Intern/Mentor Program
Mentors provide students with expert professional guidance in a particular field of study. The mentor helps the student identify an authentic problem and guides the student with the development of discipline-specific skills needed to conduct the research.
Students are expected to develop an advanced product for presentation to an appropriate audience. Mentors offer guidance in specific disciplines, such as: Applied Arts, Behavioral Sciences, Business, Clinical Medicine, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Languages, Law, Mass Communication, Performing Arts, Science Research, and Veterinary Medicine.
Students who wish to enroll in the G/T Intern/Mentor Program apply through the G/T Resource Teacher at their schools and must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Prerequisite knowledge and coursework in the field of interest.
- “B” average or above in the area of study.
- Commitment to previous tasks in which responsibility, independence, and initiative were demonstrated.
- Evidence of successful interaction with adults.
Students interested in applying for the G/T Independent Research, G/T Intern/Mentor, or Math, Science, and Technology Research courses should contact their school’s G/T Resource Teacher to obtain an application packet. Applications are available in December and must be returned to the G/T Resource Teacher in January (please contact the school’s G/T Resource Teacher for the application deadline for this school year). Following the submission of the application, the G/T Resource Teacher will schedule individual interviews with applicants.
The following forms are for mentors of students participating in the G/T Intern/Mentor Program:
- G/T Intern/Mentor Program Contract
- Mentor Information Form
- Mentor Reference Form
- Student Evaluation by Mentor
The following documents may assist mentors for the G/T Intern/Mentor Program as they guide students throughout the research process:
Interested in becoming a mentor? If so, email Debbie Blum.
Student Learning Conference
Each year, Howard County Public School System’s G/T Education Program sponsors an annual Student Learning Conference offering an array of scholarly presentations to showcase the college-level academic research pursued by students participating in the G/T Research Program. Students from each high school participate in this professional conference to understand the role of research in the “real world” and gain knowledge from each presentation.
Beginning with a keynote address, students then attend concurrent sessions, listening to their peers synthesize their year of learning and contributions they have made to their various fields of study. The conference ends with a showcase of visual and performing arts to represent the multiplicity of students’ gifts and talents.