# Youth Mentoring & Programs [ Youth Mentoring arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/clone-refresh-youth-mentoring-programs/#mentoring-clubs) [ Summer Explorations arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/clone-refresh-youth-mentoring-programs/#summer-explo) [ Family Engagement arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/public-school-partnerships#family-engagement) ![mentor-works with student on mini golf project](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-07/042525_Youth_Mentoring_0157.jpg?itok=PKYvKRKQ) ## expand\_more The Harvard Ed Portal advances Harvard’s commitment to education by offering youth programs that enhance classroom learning and foster academic, professional, and personal growth. Through mentoring, clubs, arts immersion, High School Lab Pathways, and partnerships like Gardner Pilot Academy Field Gardens, students explore new and existing interests, build meaningful relationships, and develop skills and experiences that prepare them for college, careers, and life beyond high school. ## Youth Mentoring Youth mentoring supports Harvard’s commitment to education through programs designed to support out-of-class learning. Each semester, approx. 25 Harvard College undergraduates work closely with Youth Programming Ed Portal staff to create and deliver one-on-one and small group academic enrichment for Allston-Brighton 1st through 8th graders. Fall programming begins the week of September 21! **Save the date:** ***Applications open August 6—come back then to save your spot.*** [ 1st-2nd graders arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/clone-refresh-youth-mentoring-programs/#first-second) [ 3rd-8th graders arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/clone-refresh-youth-mentoring-programs/#third-eigth) [ Drop-In Homework Support arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/clone-refresh-youth-mentoring-programs/#drop-in) [ For Harvard Undergrads arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/about-youth-mentoring) ## Fall Youth Mentoring Our Youth Mentoring programming pairs students in grades 1-8 with Harvard undergraduate mentors who design hands-on activities tailored to each child’s interests, so kids aren’t just doing worksheets but they’re building, creating, and bringing their learning to life. Free programming this fall includes LEGO engineering clubs for grades 1-2 and weekly one-on-one or small group mentoring for grades 3-8, plus open drop-in homework support. Students from Allston-Brighton and Gardner Pilot Academy are welcome. *Please note: Mentoring is a 10-week commitment. Students will meet on the same day and time with the same Harvard undergrad for the duration of the program.* 1st-2nd Grades ### LEGO: Junior Engineering Lab **Mondays and Tuesdays at 5PM** This semester, we're using LEGO bricks, explore real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture while building fun machines and structures. Create sturdy bridges, tall towers, simple vehicles, and moving models that roll, spin, and tilt. Students will experiment, test, and improve their designs as they build like real engineers. ![mentor-works with student on mini golf project](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-07/042525_Youth_Mentoring_0157.jpg?itok=OPEH6cYI) 3rd-8th Grades ### 1:1 & Small Groups **Monday-Thursdays, 4:30PM & 5:30PM** For 10 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. ![Mentor and mentee read together at a table](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-05/042525_Youth_Mentoring_0214.jpg?itok=RColjuo-) 3rd-8th Grades ### Drop-In Homework Support **Mondays-Thursdays 4:30PM-6:30PM** Students who would benefit from drop-in homework support in a specific subject will be placed in one-on-one or in small groups based on availability and overlapping content. If your student is offered a drop-in 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 sessions will guide what your child works on. ![Harvard Ed Portal Mentor Program](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/hep/files/mentoring_may2019_066.jpg?itok=ziUjp5Lb) ## Summer Explorations #### **Applications are currently closed - come back Spring 2027!** Summer Explorations provide Allston-Brighton students **entering grades 1–8** with in-person programming in small group settings. Previous opportunity examples include: Crimson Soccer & Basketball Camps; Peabody Museum of Archaeology programming; and Harvard Museum of Natural History science programming. **Who can join?** - Students entering grades 1–8 in Fall 2026 who are members of the Ed Portal. - Membership is free for Allston-Brighton residents and families of the Gardner Pilot Academy. ## Staff [### Leah Dodell ](/people/leah-dodell) [leah\_dodell@harvard.edu](mailto:leah_dodell@harvard.edu)Socially Engaged Learning ![dodell-headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-03/LDodell%20Headshot.png?itok=XvtDeeZC) [### Mariah Smith-Sharpe ](/people/mariah-smith-sharpe) Youth Programming Mentoring Operations ![Mariah Smith-Sharpe](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/hep/files/mariah_smith-sharpe_headshot.jpg?itok=wPwI0Kdx)