March 25, 2005

A science connection

The MGH East Garden Dining Room was overflowing with science fair projects March 11 as students from the James P. Timility Middle School in Roxbury showcased projects they had been working on since October.

This year, 34 mentors from 20 different MGH departments and labs volunteered their time to meet with students to discuss ideas, perform experiments and work on presentations. More than 30 students participated in this year's Science Fair Mentoring Program — five went on to win awards at the Citywide Regional Science fair.

The science fair is a culmination of efforts of the MGH/Timilty Partnership, organized by MGH Community Benefits. Each year, approximately 500 Timilty students from grades six through eight work with MGH mentors who help their young apprentices create their projects. At right, Timilty student Kathleen St. Fleur and her mentor Caroline Benn of MGH Neurology

The MGH/Timilty Partnership's Science Connection Program is funded
by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Pre-College Science Education Program and the MGH Community Benefit Program. MGHers volunteer their time as mentors from October through February. For more information about the MGH/Timilty Partnership, call (617) 724-3210.