Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics - BEAM

Last week, 9-11th grade students in New York visited the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to learn about careers in the medical field! 🏥🩺

The students had their questions answered by a panel of MSKCC staff, including fellows, physicians assistants, biomedical engineers, and nurse practitioners. They explored the premises on an exclusive tour and even had the chance to examine one of MSKCC’s patient models, an interactive artificial patient that prepares medical staff for routine and emergency situations.

Thank you for the visit! 🫀

To celebrate the end of a successful year of Saturday enrichment classes in New York, BEAM brought over 80 8th-12th graders and their families to Adventureland, Long Island’s amusement park! The students had a blast going on the rides and sampling carnival treats, and the parents enjoyed getting to know each other! 🎢🎡🌭

To all our 8th-grade and high school students, have an amazing summer! We’ll see you in the fall for another great year of BEAM 🌟

BEAM students in LA participated in a free guided hike through Southern California’s beautiful outdoors, thanks to a partnership with TreePeople! 🌲🥾

As our students explored the scenic Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, they learned about indigenous plants and local wildlife from expert guides, how water systems work, and the benefits of creating environmentally friendly technology. The students got their hands dirty learning how to plant trees and even received seeds to plant trees at home!

TreePeople is an LA-based organization dedicated to planting trees and protecting local wildlife. Thank you to for this incredible adventure! 💚

We want to extend a huge thank you to our amazing corporate partner for hosting a game night for BEAM students and families last week! BEAM students enjoyed connecting with HRT employees over exciting games of chess, Uno, Cranium, and more.

We are so grateful for HRT’s generosity, support, and continued partnership. Thank you for creating such a fun and meaningful experience for our students and families! 🤝🧡

LA BEAM students recently participated in a fun and informative career mixer with STEM professionals, including an industrial engineer, a transportation engineer, an engineering educator, and an environmental toxicology researcher! ⚙️💡🧪

First, students tested their math and science knowledge during STEM jeopardy (the final question: what is the shape of DNA 🧬)? Afterwards, the four professionals talked to the students in small groups, sharing insight into their career journeys, advice for pursuing STEM, and words of encouragement for the future.

The mixer ended with each mentor sharing a word of wisdom: Dr. Joanie encouraged the students to find their community –– even if they don’t look like you, they can share your passions and interests.

After the event, students shared that they learned about new career paths, realized it’s okay to not have your career figured out yet, and that networking can be fun! ✨

BEAM staff and alumni led a workshop at the annual National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) Conference in Atlanta! During the session, BEAM’s Senior Director of Central Programs, Lynn Cartwright-Punnett, shared a research-based, BEAM-inspired presentation on what it takes to be ready to complete a STEM degree in college. 🎓📚

The panel featured three BEAM alumni: Ayinde, Nazmul, and Pamela! The alumni shared their thoughts and workforce experiences in the fields of data science, business consulting, and software engineering, and spoke about what it means to be a STEM professional. “I’m so glad our audience got to hear from these experts,” Lynn commented after the workshop!

BEAM staff members Analisa Burke and Patty Wiesbach-Leach also attended the conference to take part in conversations about expanding educational access for students from under-resourced communities.

Thank you the NPEA for hosting such an informative event –– we hope to be at next year’s conference! 🌟

BEAM 8th graders in New York recently spent the day at MakeInspires, a K-12 STEAM makerspace! 💡🧪⚙️

The students programmed mini robotic cars using colored mats, navigating challenging routes and obstacles! They also got to create their own electric circuits to power a spinning wheel, which allowed them to make hypnotizing spin art. At the end of the trip, the students learned about the MakeInspires summer programs and each left with their very own 3D-printed mini dinosaur and robot! 🤖

Thank you, for having us!

Last week, 21 BEAM 11th graders from LA and NYC went on a three-day college visit to Lafayette College, Haverford College, University of Pennsylvania, and Bucknell University. Students toured the campuses, heard from current college students, and even sampled the food at the dining halls! 📚

In between all the incredible college tours, students also had the opportunity to explore Philadelphia, attend a Flyers game, and seek some thrills at Six Flags. For many of the students, this was their first time attending a hockey game, and their very first Philly cheesesteaks! 🏒🧀🏙️

Last week, BEAM NY students traveled to Connecticut College, a liberal arts college in New London, Connecticut! 🏫🌳

The 10th and 11th-grade students participated in an admissions information session where they learned more about Conn’s undergraduate academic pathway and programs. During a campus tour, they explored student life and discovered the wide range of student support services available.

By the end of the trip, our students walked away with a deeper understanding of what college life can look like and how to choose the university that is right for them! 

Stay tuned for more college visits this spring 🌸

BEAM students in LA celebrated Pi Day with a relay-style math wrangle! 🏃

Students competed in two teams (Team Lemon Meringue and Team Blueberry) to solve math problems that were related to pi OR pie! Due to the fierce competition between the two teams, the contest ended in a tie. 🍋🫐

The students enjoyed puzzling out the math problems, but especially appreciated eating the slices of pie afterwards! 🥧