We are working with the Brightside Trust, who have developed an e-mentoring web site, BigBangBlogs. There is evidence that e-mentoring can improve attainment and participation in targeted subjects. The project has linked school students (pupils) with undergraduate physicists (mentors). The aims are to:
BigBangBlogs has a library of content including
All of it is designed to provide useful and interesting articles for the pupils and stimulus material for the discussions between pupils and their mentors.
The approach is non-technical. The mentors will not be a homework-help service. Instead, they will act as an older sibling, discussing issues surrounding the world of physics, what it's like to do physics and how much they are enjoying it.
The Brightside Trust have developed BigBangBlogs, based on their experience with the Brightjournals for medical students.
The e-mentoring part of the web site is password protected with other security features.