We are accepting mentor applications for Fall 2026!

Established in 2018, Collaborative Research Learning (CRL) is a mentorship program devoted to helping high school seniors develop essential skills for undergraduate scientific research. With the help of graduate, post-doctorate, or industry mentors, students will develop a logical experimental design, troubleshoot unexpected errors, analyze data, and prepare a poster presentation. This mentorship program assists aspiring scientists in developing their professional communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Students work in groups on one of the six research topics: Microbes in Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Pollution and Bioremediation, Alternative Energy, Climate Science, or Sustainable Materials and Waste Reduction. 

Students are encouraged to enter their CRL project in the Sacramento STEM Fair and further develop their science communication skills. 

Mentor Expectations: 

Mentors for this program are expected to “e-mentor” (i.e., mentor via email) the senior students for 1-2 hours a week. Each mentor will be assigned to one group and help teach the group how to communicate professionally and apply their scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills. Mentors will also complete weekly surveys (<5 minutes) for feedback on their group’s progress. 

We are accepting volunteer applications for Fall 2026 (August to December)! 

If you are interested in volunteering as a mentor for CRL, please complete the linked form by 8 PM PT on August 3, 2026: https://forms.gle/9r3ysyHcuMh4PweD7

We accept mentors on a first-come, first-served basis. Mentors who sign up earlier have a higher chance of being assigned to a group within their preferred topic, second only to returning mentors.