Harvard undergraduates work closely with Harvard Ed Portal staff to to create and deliver one-on-one and small group academic enrichment for youth in grades 1-8, and to support education in the arts, digital literacy, health and wellness, workforce development, and college and career preparedness for learners of all ages.
All programs are free and open to Allston-Brighton, Gardner Pilot Academy, and Mary Lyon Pilot School students entering Grades 1-8.
Application Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024
Tuesday, February 13, 6:00pm–7:00pm
Friday, April 26
Tuesday, February 20 – Thursday, April 25
(excluding the week of March 11–14)
The Harvard Ed Portal plans to offer indoor in-person programs in Spring 2024! Note that the Ed Portal's ability to host indoor in-person programs may change as public health conditions evolve.
The Harvard Ed Portal is not requiring vaccination to participate in Spring 2024 Youth Programming. Masks will be optional, but will be provided to anyone who wishes to wear one. This is subject to change in accordance with the COVID-19 policies of Harvard University and the City of Boston.
Mondays OR Tuesdays, 5:00pm–5:50pm
Students will discover the art of storytelling and various storytelling techniques through classic and modern short stories. They will also create their own short stories!
For 9 weeks, students will be paired either one-on-one or in small groups with a Harvard undergraduate(s), who will create hands-on activities tailored to explore individual interests, and serve as college-age role models. Our undergraduate mentors encourage youth to develop strong self-identities as enthusiastic learners—by supporting creativity & curiosity, validating questions, and instilling the skills to search for answers. This program is intended to dive deeper into a student's personal interest and to grow a curiosity for learning.
Please note: Mentoring is a 9-week commitment. Students will meet on the same day and time with the same Harvard undergrad for the duration of the program. Sessions are offered Monday through Thursday at 4:00pm & 5:00pm for 50 minutes each. Mentoring will begin Tuesday, February 20.
Students who would benefit from academic support in a specific subject are welcome to apply for the Academic Support Program. The support will be one-on-one or in small groups based on availability and overlapping content. If your student is offered an academic support session, you or your student must bring information about what they need help with, course work, or assignments to the first few sessions. What you bring to academic support sessions will guide what your child works on.
Please note: Academic Support is a 9-week commitment. Students will meet on the same day and time with the same Harvard undergrad for the duration of the program. Sessions are offered Monday through Thursday at 4:00pm & 5:00pm for 50 minutes each. Mentoring will begin Tuesday, February 20.
Wednesdays, 5:00pm–5:50pm
Students will explore STEM through the coding and technology of Root Robots! They will learn to play music, draw artwork, and more with these amazing devices.
For 9 weeks, students will be paired either one-on-one or in small groups with a Harvard undergraduate(s), who will create hands-on activities tailored to explore individual interests, and serve as college-age role models. Our undergraduate mentors encourage youth to develop strong self-identities as enthusiastic learners—by supporting creativity & curiosity, validating questions, and instilling the skills to search for answers. This program is intended to dive deeper into a student's personal interest and to grow a curiosity for learning.
Please note: Mentoring is a 9-week commitment. Students will meet on the same day and time with the same Harvard undergrad for the duration of the program. Sessions are offered Monday through Thursday at 4:00pm & 5:00pm for 50 minutes each. Mentoring will begin Tuesday, February 20.
Students who would benefit from academic support in a specific subject are welcome to apply for the Academic Support Program. The support will be one-on-one or in small groups based on availability and overlapping content. If your student is offered an academic support session, you or your student must bring information about what they need help with, course work, or assignments to the first few sessions. What you bring to academic support sessions will guide what your child works on.
Please note: Academic Support is a 9-week commitment. Students will meet on the same day and time with the same Harvard undergrad for the duration of the program. Sessions are offered Monday through Thursday at 4:00pm & 5:00pm for 50 minutes each. Mentoring will begin Tuesday, February 20.
The GPA is the Boston Public School located closest to the Ed Portal. Students from the GPA’s after-school program come to the Ed Portal three to six times per semester to participate in a mentoring enrichment program. Students engage in hands-on inquiry-based science and humanities enrichment activities in small groups with the Harvard Ed Portal Mentors.
Susan Johnson, Assistant Director of Socially Engaged Learning at the Harvard Ed Portal and Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, works with undergraduates to help them develop the curriculum for the program each semester. The Harvard undergraduate mentors are then trained to use their expertise and resources from Harvard College to run the sessions.
The Ed Portal partners with Harvard schools and organizations to host special events and programs throughout the year that bring Harvard’s educational resources to the community. Past programs have included playwriting workshops, interactive science and arts events, and more.
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Spring 2024 Youth Programming & Mentoring
Applications due: Friday, February 2, 2024
