Authors: Charlie Kelly, Australian Student

Keywords: SciAccess Zenith Mentorship Program, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curriculum, STEM

I’m Charlie Kelly, aged 17, from Tamworth, Australia. In 2020, I participated in The SciAccess Zenith Mentorship Program at Ohio State University. As part of the program, I was linked with a student of the university, Mary, who was my mentor. The program was completed via Zoom and focused on scientific principles. We were required to go to a Zoom lecture with visiting specialists in astronomy and then speak with our mentor about the lecture.

Each lesson had a presentation by the (previous) Head of Outreach for the Astronomy Department of Ohio State, Anna Voelker. We covered topics like:

• Life in the Universe
• Astrochemistry
• Stars

At the end of the program, we gave a talk. Mine was on chemical reactions.

I learned a lot from the Zenith Program. Everyone was really nice. If you have the opportunity to enroll, I suggest that you do. Even if you are not fully into science, it is a good way to learn more and practice your skills. It was also good for me to meet with my mentor and learn a bit about the US. I think I taught her a bit about Australia too.

Thanks, Zenith, and the Ohio State University, for giving me this opportunity!