Possible Zone

CONGRATULATIONS to the TPZ Class of 2026!

Several of our seniors were cheered on by other students, staff, and family members who gathered this evening for a special celebration. These seniors--who had each completed at least four TPZ classes--were introduced by alumnus Orlando Benzan-Vazquez during a lively procession and gifted a personalized TPZ jacket they can wear with pride! Most will be celebrating their high school graduations from their respective BPS high schools in the coming weeks. It's been our honor getting to know these future alumni all over the past 2-3 years!

The Possible Zone Boston Public Schools

Shout out to our vendors, guests, and the TPZ Team who made this past weekend’s Careers of the Future Trades Fair the success it was! Dozens of attendees discussed career opportunities with unions, pre-apprenticeship programs, and post-secondary pathways partners. Several gained insights not just from accessing several community resources, but through a virtual reality experience that allowed them to literally see themselves in the field!

The Possible Zone

Robots have entered the building! During our recent Deep Dives, students had the chance to meet SPOT the robot dog from Boston Dynamics, and take the controls to discover how movement and gesture can bring robotics to life. Students took what they learned and built their own expressive care bots, infused with their own personalities.

A huge thank you to our friends from Boston Dynamics for these unforgettable and inspiring opportunities -- Leland J. Hepler, Krista Shapton,

Mary Chan, Mario Bollini, Joseph Richard, and Kiah Quarles!

Calling all TPZ alumni!

Join the TPP/TPZ alumni network for the 3rd Annual Pathways to What’s Possible, an event designed to spark connection, conversation, and inspiration. This special evening on June 3rd brings together our alumni, TPZ community members, and some of our current high school seniors/recent graduates for intentional networking and shared learning. This year's theme is Pivoting with Confidence.

The event will feature a dynamic panel, moderated by Imtiyaz Hossain, MPH, Alumni Representative to The Possible Zone Board of Directors. Panelists include alumni J’Khia Bullock, Jonathan Noel, and Ana Liz Raposo who will highlight how their journeys have taken turns off a planned course, some lessons learned, and the various pathways they've taken since their time at TPZ. Guest panelists Gregory Fain and Alexandria Mauristhene will share professional insights and tips to support pivoting with confidence.

Bridgette Gray, TPZ's new CEO, will be on hand to share some reflections of her own journey. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage, ask questions, and build meaningful connections across industries and experiences.

Whether you’re reconnecting with fellow alumni, expanding your professional network, or exploring what’s next in your own journey, Pathways to What’s Possible is a space to reflect, connect, and envision what’s ahead. Come ready to be inspired, make new connections, and unlock your next chapter. Please RSVP by May 28th.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pathways-to-whats-possible-tickets-1980393096061?aff=oddtdtcreator

Our fantastic Partnerships and Student & Family Support Teams are hosting a Trades Fair at The Possible Zone's Innovation Center in Jackson Square on Saturday, May 16th, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to discover workforce development resources and direct paths into the trades.

This event is ideal for those 18+ (anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Please register so that we can best plan: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tpz-trades-fair-tickets-1987016550993

Students in the recent Creative Computer Science Deep Dive transformed The Possible Zone's Orange Classroom into an arcade -- building, debugging, and animating their own games using PICO-8. In these, one student sent a Boston rat on a cheese hunt; another built a simulated stock market based on the 2008 financial crisis that you could actually trade in. The students, who are interested in enrolling in Beyond Possible dual enrollment program, collaborated, play tested, and made something totally their own.

Thank you to TPZ educators Christopher Essex and Chris Perry and our amazing volunteers, Rush Sanghrajka, Samuel Wu, and Wentworth Institute for Technology students Melika and Patrick for making this Deep Dive such a success! You can try the students' custom games at: https://thepossiblezone.github.io/SP26IC3DDCCA/

Boston high school students are gaining a competitive edge in CS and data analytics through Beyond Possible – a collaboration of Boston Public Schools (BPS), and Wentworth Institute of Technology – which fuses science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with essential skill building so that enrolled high school students will not only build their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, but also cultivate a spirit of innovation and resilience, essential for future success. Learn more at https://possiblezone.org/beyond-possible/

Our recent Deep Dive students went from sketch to scaling and pattern making to shorts in one week!

Inside our Fashion Manufacturing lab, students explored how design, technology, and manufacturing come together to create clothes from scratch. They started with the fundamentals of pattern drafting, material selection, and sewing using our bernette B37 + bernstein B38 sewing machines. They learned how to add inseam and patch pockets, quickly correct sewing mistakes, and add their own personality into each piece. Through guided studio work with educators, they examined how scale, standardization, and supply chains influence how garments are made.

Shout out to Yari Dudley, Educator/Advisor II, and Grace Klein-Lee, Design Lab Education Technician II, for making this Deep Dive sew great!

Join other TPP/TPZ alumni for the 3rd annual Pathways to What’s Possible, an event designed to spark connection, conversation, and inspiration. This special evening brings together TPZ alumni, community members, and supporters for intentional networking and shared learning. This year our theme is Pivoting with Confidence.

The event will feature a dynamic alumni panel, moderated by Imtiyaz Hossain, MPH, Alumni Representative to The Possible Zone Board of Directors. Panelists include J’Khia Bullock, Jonathan Noel, and Ana Liz Raposo who will highlight how their journeys have taken turns off a planned course, some lessons learned, and the many pathways alumni have taken since their time at TPZ. Bridgette Gray, TPZ's new CEO, will also share some reflections of her own journey. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage, ask questions, and build meaningful connections across industries and experiences.

Whether you’re reconnecting with fellow alumni, expanding your professional network, or exploring what’s next in your own journey, Pathways to What’s Possible is a space to reflect, connect, and envision what’s ahead. Come ready to be inspired, make new connections, and unlock your next chapter. Please RSVP by May 28th.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pathways-to-whats-possible-tickets-1980393096061?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Possible Zone (TPZ) is proud to share that we are partnering with Lawrence High School-Lawrence Public Schools to offer students real-world, career-connected learning opportunities. At the beginning of this academic year, TPZ launched a school-day Health Assisting course at LHS. In addition to classroom activities, students are rolling up their sleeves and learning directly from healthcare professionals, including those at HMS MEDscience Simulation Lab. By embedding competency development and practical experiences into the course design and delivery, TPZ is able to strengthen traditional school-based Career & Technical Education experiences.

“This interconnected, comprehensive program aligns with my vision that every student graduates with evidence of future-ready skills and mindsets they’ve cultivated, a network that knows and values them, and a clear bridge to postsecondary pathways and careers that advance economic mobility,” said LHS Principal Victor Caraballo-Anderson. “Partnering with The Possible Zone has introduced our high school students to healthcare pathways that can provide opportunities for career growth and security, along with needed service back to the communities through a culturally and linguistically aligned workforce.”

In January, TPZ also began delivering LaunchLabs to LSH students. LaunchLabs are 10-week terms during which high school students cultivate future-ready skills through afterschool project-based learning. We’re excited for what’s next!

Read more about this powerful collaboration:
https://tinyurl.com/TPZLawrenceHighNews

"There’s no question that young people must be ready to navigate the digital age we live in and to access promising pathways to economic mobility. Therefore, as educators, we must emphasize that the work is not only about teaching tech and tools, but building agency: the ability to question, create, collaborate, and adapt alongside technology," writes Meg Riordan, Ph.D. on The Possible Zone Insights blog.

Students moving from following directions to recognizing opportunities, iterating, and shaping their outcomes is an important shift. "That shift is critical. We are living in a time when artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are not just changing jobs; they are reshaping what it means to be prepared for post-high school education and careers."

Read and share Meg's full article: https://possiblezone.org/why-steam-agency-matters-its-a-rapidly-changing-world/

The Possible Zone Board of Directors has appointed Bridgette Gray, a nationally recognized leader in workforce development, social impact, and organizational growth, as its Chief Executive Officer, effective May 4, 2026!

“When we founded The Possible Zone, we did so with the dream to create spaces where young people could discover their own potential and shape their own futures,” said Mark Levin, Chair of TPZ’s Board of Directors. “Bridgette Gray is a leader who not only shares our unwavering belief in the potential of our students, but she also can build on the organization’s strong foundation, steer strategic direction, navigate challenges, and make high-stakes decisions that will drive TPZ through its next phase of growth and national expansion.”

Bridgette brings more than 25 years of experience designing equitable pathways to economic opportunity and scaling mission-driven organizations. An efficacious fundraiser across philanthropic, corporate, and government partnerships, she is widely known for aligning bold vision with disciplined ex*****on to deliver measurable results.

Read more! https://possiblezone.org/tpz-appoints-new-ceo/