The short answers.
Short answers to the questions we hear most. Still have one? Reach out and we'll get back to you.
For students & families
Who can join?
Any high school student in grades 9 through 12 is welcome, as long as you can get to the UC Davis campus reliably on Wednesdays from 3 to 5 pm. If a school has enough interested students, we may be able to help arrange transportation to campus.
Do I need any science experience?
No. The projects are approachable on purpose, usually a few rounds of data collection. You bring the curiosity; your mentor walks you through the rest.
How much time does it take?
The core commitment is weekly: Wednesdays, 3 to 5 pm, on the UC Davis campus through the school year. Plan on some additional hours to work on your research between sessions, and there are occasional field trips. If you have a conflict like a sport, you and your mentor can arrange other times to work together.
What does it cost?
Free. There is no cost to join.
Where and when do you meet?
On the UC Davis campus, most Wednesdays from 3 to 5 pm, through the school year (roughly late September to early June). The room can vary week to week, so we send the specific location to students by email, along with exact dates as they are confirmed. See the Schedule for the full year at a glance, including field trips and breaks.
How do students get to UC Davis?
Getting to Davis is the one thing students arrange. You can drive yourself (we send parking details before the first session), take Yolobus from Woodland (Route 42 runs between Woodland and the Davis campus throughout the day), or carpool, since families often coordinate rides. We do not provide transportation yet, but we hope to. If getting to Davis is the only thing keeping you from joining, please reach out and we will do our best to help make it work. More detail is on the Schedule.
What kind of project would I do?
Your choice. Pick from a set your mentor proposes, or design your own around a question you care about. The scope is wide, from ecology and agriculture to biology and human health, because it's all connected. Projects stay simple and hands-on; the goal is to get your feet wet in real science, not to do something complicated.
What is the Science Fair, and the international trip?
Every student presents their work at the UC Davis Science Fair in the spring. A top group goes on to the GCSE International Science Fair, with travel covered. In 2026, four of our students competed at the International Science Fair in Panama: one won first place overall, and another won best presentation.
When and where is the International Science Fair?
It is held in early June. The location changes from year to year and is announced by GCSE; for 2027 it is still to be determined (in 2026 it was in Panama). A top group of our students is selected to attend, and travel is covered.
Example posters
Every project from this year's students (2026), presented at our Science Fair. Click any poster to view it full size.
For UC Davis mentors
Who can be a mentor?
Our mentors are UC Davis scientists. Usually that's grad students, but undergrads, postdocs, and faculty mentor too. If you do research at UC Davis and want to guide a high school student through a project, you qualify.
What's the time commitment?
The same weekly rhythm as your student: Wednesdays, 3 to 5 pm, on campus through the school year, plus a little prep time. The program runs the length of the school year, so you're seeing your student through their project start to finish.
What training or background check is involved?
Before you start, there's a background check and a short training step. We walk you through all of it.
Why mentor?
Because these students are the future, and helping them get there is genuinely rewarding. Being on the mentor side of the relationship is valuable experience in its own right, the science the students produce is impressive to be part of, and honestly, it's a lot of fun.
For teachers, faculty & supporters
I teach high school. How do my students get involved?
Nothing is required of you. Students can sign up on their own. That said, we'd welcome hearing from you, especially if there's wider interest at your school. If enough students want in, we're open to growing our presence there, up to forming a club or even a class.
I'm a PI. Can my lab contribute a project?
Yes, and many UC Davis PIs have been involved over the years. You might already have a project in mind, or even high schoolers already doing science in your lab. EnvironMentors brings the community, structure, and support around that work, and it's a real broader-impacts activity. Grad students in your lab can volunteer as mentors, and the scientific scope is wide: STEM in general is fair game. One ask: if you write EnvironMentors into a grant proposal, please consider including a budget line to help support the program. Get in touch with Grey or the leadership team to talk it through.
How can I support the program?
Thank you. We genuinely need the support. A donation page is on the way; until it's live, get in touch with Grey or the leadership team. Donations of lab surplus and equipment are welcome too.