The Making Mentors program pairs autistic college and high school students for peer-based mentorship and support.
The Making Mentors program at NYU Steinhardt recently hosted 12 autistic high school students from New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) for a hands-on learning experience focused on 3D printing. The visit provided students with direct exposure to both digital fabrication tools and a real-life college experience.
Created in 2024 with funding from a $1.29 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, Making Mentors pairs autistic college students from NYU or the College of Staten Island with local autistic high school students to provide peer-based mentorship and support for navigating the educational journey. Mentors commit to two years with the program and are paid for their participation; they are trained in peer mentoring and neurodiversity-affirming practices, which are co-led by autistic advocates and program staff.
“Every year, Making Mentors brings the high school mentees to NYU’s campus to try our best to capture the vibe of life at the University,” says Dora D. Onwumere (PhD ’26, Occupational Therapy), OTR/L, the research director for Making Mentors. “Even though they are familiar with New York City, being part of a college campus is a different feeling.”
A big part of Making Mentors is using the high school students’ personal interests as ways to foster connection with their mentors and others, making the STEM-based program of 3D printing a great modality.
“Visiting NYU and being part of Making Mentors has been a perfect opportunity,” says E.A., one of the high school mentees who participated. “It gave me the chance to do so many things I’ve always wished I could do; I’m finally getting those opportunities and I love it. Making Mentors is easily one of my favorite experiences.”
During the visit, students were divided into small groups and paired with program mentors at the NYU Makerspace in Brooklyn. They were given a limited timeframe to brainstorm and produce a shared 3D-printed object, which included a model subway car, a fidget spinner, and a bus stop structure. Students presented their designs to an audience of mentors, NYCPS teachers, and representatives from across NYU.
We are able to help Making Mentors participants strengthen their leadership and research skills, which contributes to their success in high school, college, and beyond.
“The mentors did a great job of encouraging the mentees but then stepping back and letting them present on their own,” says Kristie Patten, professor of occupational therapy at Steinhardt, counselor to the NYU president, and co-principal investigator on the original NSF grant. “A lot of the high school students didn’t want to speak in front of an audience, but because the topic was built around their interests, that really allowed them to shine.”
Additional funding since the program’s inception has enabled Making Mentors to continue making an impact in the lives of mentors and mentees alike.
“The funding we have received has not only allowed us to add more mentors and mentees this year, but it also covers the travel for our college students to attend and present at conferences,” says Patten. “Through these opportunities, we are able to help Making Mentors participants strengthen their leadership and research skills, which contributes to their success in high school, college, and beyond.”
Four of this year’s mentors attended and presented at the 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California, with Patten, and an additional three presented alongside Onwumere at the International Society for Autism Research in Prague in April.
Over the course of the Making Mentors relationship, mentors see growth in both their mentees’ abilities and their mindsets.
“I was diagnosed as autistic pretty late, so I enjoy helping kids who are on the spectrum with tools to help them through high school and beyond,” says Molly Siegel, undergraduate student in the Teaching English, Grades 7–12 program. “Before the 3D printing event, conversations with my mentee about his plans after graduation were more hesitant; now, he’s really interested in my life as a college student, asking what classes are like. I think it gave him more confidence to consider a four-year degree as a viable option for him.”
Making Mentors participant pairs have been working on STEM-based projects together throughout the year, ranging from a LEGO model of an MTA train to hip-hop music production. They will share their work at a final showcase on May 8.
“When we first met, my mentee had difficulties making plans, so we created a schedule to keep him on target for the showcase,” says mentor and Childhood and Special Education undergraduate student Mace Kot. “Working together like this has helped him improve his direction, as well as learning that flexibility and adaptation are important to being able to maintain progress toward a goal.”
Related Articles
Making Mentors Pairs Autistic High School and College Students for Mutual Benefit
Peer-based mentoring for neurodivergent students increases belonging and self-acceptance.
NYC Students Showcase STEM Projects in Celebration of National Science Foundation’s 75th Anniversary
NYU Steinhardt co-hosted an event recognizing NSF-funded projects supporting STEM learning and workforce development in NYC schools.
Kristie Patten Koenig and Colleagues Awarded NSF Grant to Expand Autism Inclusion Programming
The new grant will expand inclusive maker programming to local high schools and elementary schools.
