October 5, 2001

Clinicians and researchers make the study of scientific theories, principles and phenomena a regular occurrence at the MGH. However, a group of much younger scientists also uses the hospital as the site of innovative experiments and careful research: they are students from the James P. Timilty Middle School who are participating in the MGH/Timilty Partnership’s Science Connection Program, and they do their work with the help of several committed MGHers.

The Science Connection Program matches Timilty students with MGH mentors, who meet with them every other Friday morning for five months. Mentors can be assigned to students either one-on-one or in a team setting, depending upon each employee’s schedule and availability. Students craft proposals for school science fair projects; their employee mentors then help them to streamline their ideas, identify sources for research material and prepare to construct and verbally present their final projects.

"From the beginning, I thought this seemed like such a wonderful and exciting opportunity," says Karylen Headley, a supervisor for MGH Nutrition and Food Services. Headley was among the first MGHers to volunteer as a mentor, signing up immediately after the program first was launched in 1989.

"I love working with kids, and there are so many kids with different backgrounds and experiences in the program," Headley notes. Though she herself did not have a background in science at the time she decided to volunteer, Headley says that she found being a mentor "much easier than I’d thought, and so much fun. The kids are so enthusiastic about what they’re doing, and it really doesn’t take a lot of time to make a huge difference."

A Timilty student learns from his MGH mentor.

In addition to helping her students to hone their experimental and investigative skills, Headley also has become a lifelong friend and role model to many. "I get letters, Christmas cards, graduation and wedding announcements to this day," she says. "It’s a great feeling to watch these children become academically confident, but the most important thing really is dealing with them personally. Whether they take home awards at the science fair or not, they all are winners."

MGH employees are invited to sign up as individual or team mentors for the program. No previous background in science is necessary, and training will be provided. "I encourage everyone at the hospital to take part," says Headley. "These students are our future."

A mentor/mentee introduction will be held at the Boston Museum of Science Oct. 11. MGHers may sign up to be mentors until the first student visit Oct. 19. For more information or to volunteer, call the MGH/Timilty Partnership at (617) 724-3210 or send e-mail to timilty@partners.org.