ASPIRATION Syllabus & Student Schedules

Program Expectations

• Participation: Attend scheduled Zoom sessions, complete activities, and engage actively with mentors and teammates.
• Assignments: Weekly progress on literature adaptation (simplified text, infographic drafts, oral presentation).

Outcome & Deliverables (see infographics examples):

Over the 8-week program, students will develop scientific communication skills, learn how to read and interpret scientific papers, and translate complex research into accessible materials for the public.

As part of a mentored group project, students will collaboratively:

• Create a one-page public summary of a scientific paper.
  • Create a simplified infographic adaptation of primary scientific literature (up to four pages; up to six pages permitted for longer or more complex papers).
  • Develop poster design and oral presentation skills for scientific communication.
  • Present work at the High School Student Symposium on August 8, 2026.
  • Receive recognition on the final science communication product, which will be showcased in the virtual program brochure and related educational outreach materials.

• Final Presentation: Present at the High School Student Symposium on August 8 (separate registration required).

Syllabus: Weekly Breakdown

Week 0 (May 10 – June 5): Email Communications

• Complete the google form to select area of interests for mentor matching purpose
• Mentor & Mentee Matching – Introduction
• Zoom Link and Additional Instructions

Week 1 (June 6): Introduction to Scientific Papers and Adaptation

• Program orientation and mentor group introductions.
• Overview of scientific paper structure and adaptation goals.
• Pre-survey
• Google Form distribution and overview (structure of paper)

Week 2 (June 13): Understanding Scientific Papers

• Student-led sharing of group selected papers.
• Discussion of research questions, findings, and scientific methods.
• Practice summarizing papers in accessible language.

Week 3 (June 20): Simplifying Papers and Creating Infographics

• Students discuss adaptation challenges and strategies.
• Introduction to infographic and AI tools (Canva, BioRender, AI tools).
• Begin infographic and paper adaptation work.

Week 4 (June 27): Draft Development and Feedback

• Student progress updates and peer discussion.
• Mentor and peer feedback on infographic drafts and adapted summaries.
• Discussion of visual communication and analogies in science.

Week 5 (July 4): Independent Work Week

• No large-group meeting due to July 4 holiday.
• Students continue working independently and meet with mentors as scheduled.

Week 6 (July 11): Infographics & Scientific Communications: Public Summary, Poster, and Oral Presentation

• Introduction to scientific storytelling and presentation structure.
• Elevator pitch and presentation practice with peer feedback.
• Feedback on infographic revisions and presentation outlines.

Week 7 (July 18): Refining & Peer Reviewing for Public Summary & Infographics; Refining Poster

• Work session to finalize infographics and oral presentations.
• Peer Review Public Summary & Infographics.
• Practice presentations in small groups.

Week 8 (July 25): Final Preparation for Symposium and Poster Printing

• Final revisions and symposium preparation.
• Program reflections and feedback survey.

Assessment and Recognition

• Weekly mentor and peer feedback on participation and project development.

• Student authorship and presentation opportunities will be determined based on mentor feedback regarding student engagement and contributions.

• Final evaluation will be based on infographic clarity, presentation effectiveness, and overall participation and engagement.

• Students who complete the program, remain actively engaged throughout the program, and produce a final product approved by their mentor will receive a Certificate of Completion.

• Students participating in the symposium will receive additional recognition through symposium participation, presentation opportunities, and eligibility for awards and related opportunities.

Symposium Day — August 8, 2026 (Saturday)

University of Houston | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Students will present their posters and/or oral presentations at the High School Student Symposium.
Students’ approved final infographics and summaries will be included in the symposium online booklet.

AI Ethics and Responsible Use Policy

The ASPIRATION Program incorporates AI-supported tools to assist students in understanding, interpreting, and communicating scientific research. Students are expected to use AI responsibly, ethically, and transparently throughout the program.

Students should use AI as a learning and support tool rather than as a replacement for independent thinking, scientific interpretation, creativity, or active participation. All final products should reflect the student’s own understanding, discussion with mentors, and collaborative group effort.

Students participating in the program are expected to:

• Use AI tools to support learning, brainstorming, clarification, editing, and communication of scientific concepts.
• Verify scientific accuracy and interpret AI-generated content critically with mentor guidance.
• Use AI responsibly and avoid plagiarism, fabrication of scientific information, or misrepresentation of AI-assisted work.
• Properly acknowledge the use of AI-assisted tools when appropriate.
• Respect copyright, scientific integrity, and ethical communication standards.
• Protect personal privacy and avoid uploading confidential, unpublished, or sensitive research information into public AI platforms without permission.

The ASPIRATION Program emphasizes the collaborative relationship between human expertise and AI-assisted learning to promote responsible science communication, education, and public outreach.