Thread by @corvidresearch

Question for fellow scientists & grade-school teachers. My goal is to make science accessible. That said, I always feel a little unsure when young students send me emails for homework/project help. What's the line between doing their work for them and being a helpful mentor?

For example, an elementary schooler if they ask you to define or explain a term that could otherwise be easily googled or researched on Wikipedia. Do you help them find the resources or, are you the resource they found and explain it to them?

Obviously, there's no right answer here and everyone will have different philosophies. I'm just trying to get a sense of where that line is for others so that I can more confidently form my own.