The Socratic method Much of a mentor's instruction and counselling should, in my opinion, take the form of questions. If by careful questioning you can get your student to figure it out for herself, much more learning takes place than if you simply tell her what the answer is. It takes a little longer, and sometimes coming up with the right questions can be a challenge, but the analytical skills which are taught thereby are well worth the effort. Treat it like a puzzle, a game, a detective story. And be kind.
Kids bruise easily.
X. Winning, judging, the Little League syndrome Lastly, neither teachers nor mentors should worry too much about winning. A student who does a really bang-up project has already awarded himself or herself a much greater prize than anything a science fair, even the International Fair, can award. Every student who does a first-rate project is a winner. A bit of friendly competition does no harm, as long as it doesn't discourage students from helping each other. But the mentor and the teacher should have enough confidence in their own judgement to give praise and encouragement when they feel these are appropriate, and not to be either crushed or excessively elated by the judges' decisions.