Below are the main features of a FAST program that we believe are core to achieving our purpose.

 

1. ​Long-term support: FAST sessions occur over at least 4 months with a minimum of 6 sessions. All mentors and students meet and conduct work at joint sessions to foster community & exchange of ideas between student groups.

2. Student-driven: Projects are driven solely by students’ curiosities/passions and not dependent on students’ prior knowledge or educational background

3. Dedicated mentorship: Students receive dedicated, personalized guidance from a mentor/mentors on their project (not classroom-style instruction), and engage in hands-on learning and project development.

4. Intentionally empowering: The program serves student populations who stand to gain the most from participating (e.g. students from low-income backgrounds or from historically disenfranchised or underrepresented groups)

5. Community-centered: Students share their work with each other and/or the broader community at the end of each program year

6. Inclusively Designed: The program is free for students, and designed to be accessible and welcoming to all students and mentors

 

These are the only requirements necessary for FAST programs. We encourage chapters to build off of and experiment with this model to see what is most useful for your community!