Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics - BEAM

Big news! The documentary series featuring BEAM student Consuelo, “Stories of Impact,” by Science Sandbox and People's TV has been nominated for a Webby! Vote for People's Television here: https://wbby.co/40179N

Happy π Day from BEAM!

At BEAM, we eat a lot of pizza, which led us to ponder a perplexing problem:

Let’s say a pepperoni-loving mathematician orders this two-topping pizza to celebrate Pi Day with a friend who happens to love math and mushrooms. Is it possible for them to split such a strangely sliced pizza, so that each gets exactly half of the pizza entirely adorned with their favorite topping?

Is the mathematician delighted or disappointed by this unusually divided pizza?

Check out our reflection on the pizza pie theorem, which involves pi and pizza-cutting, on our blog. You'll also find fun photos showing just how big our love of pizza is!

https://buff.ly/3TA0Fdp

As our high school students apply to summer enrichment opportunities, we want to thank our partner Jane Street for their continued support of our Summer STEM Stipend Initiative. Students who attend summer enrichment programs often cannot take summer jobs, which they and their families may be counting on. These stipends reduce the pressure of having to choose between summer employment and participating in an intensive STEM program. To learn more about our 2023 recipients, visit

Jane Street and Hudson River Trading Summer STEM Scholars — Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics We are immensely proud to announce the recipients of the Jane Street and Hudson River Trading Summer STEM Stipends , awarded to BEAM high school students in partnership with Jane Street Capital and Hudson River Trading . At BEAM, we are working to make sure our students get access to the same s

Initially, FAFSA's form blocked families with mixed immigration statuses from filling it out. Finally, there is a workaround for parents who lack social security numbers, Our college admissions coordinators, Yesenia and Hector, have been working closely with families to make sure they have the most up-to-date information. To learn more about the form:

Immigrant families blocked by FAFSA glitch finally have a workaround to access college aid The solution from federal officials follows months of anxiety and criticism stemming from the bungled rollout of the new FAFSA. Despite the workaround, lawmakers want the Biden administration to do more to ensure FAFSA problems don’t derail students’ college plans.

Last summer, BEAM piloted an Introduction to Proofs class at Summer Away, Union College.

"One of the main goals of the courses at BEAM Summer Away is getting students to start owning the process of proving things mathematically. This involves not only understanding the content that the class is covering, but also developing some habits of mind (and naming them) that mathematicians use every day," says Javier Ronquillo Rivera, BEAM's Math and Pedagogy Manager.

To learn more about the course, and other summer takeaways, read our blog post:

A Look Back at an Outstanding Summer! — Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics Mathematical Wins

At the end of January, BEAM sophomores and juniors visited Bucknell University. We had so much fun learning more about the engineering department and exploring the observatory!

BEAM is hiring Counselors for our summer programs! We are seeking college students to mentor our students through a transformative summer of math learning, camp activities, and more. Please share with your networks, or send to someone who should apply! The priority deadline is March 28. https://www.beammath.org/counselor-info

Today, as a part of BlackHistoryMonth, we remember the accomplishments of Evelyn Boyd Granville, the second Black woman to receive a Ph. D. in mathematics from an American university. She graduated from Yale in 1949

She performed pioneering work in the field of computing, earning acclaim for her contributions to advances in space and aviation technology. She also worked on software for two of the first American space flights, Project Mercury and the Apollo program, before returning to academia as a professor of mathematics. Granville wrote of her childhood, “We accepted education as the means to rise above the limitations that a prejudiced society endeavored to place upon us.”

Every summer, we honor Dr. Granville by naming a cohort at BEAM Discovery after her!

Thank you to all of our amazing panelists who shared about their summer STEM camps and programs! BEAM high schoolers, you should have gotten an email from Tanasia about these outstanding opportunities. Feel free to reach out to her if you have any questions about your applications.

We are thrilled to announce that we are a recipient of the Bridge Grant from the Simons Foundation, which recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of science engagement. To learn more, visit:

Introducing Bridge Grants for Science Engagement Organizations | Simons Foundation Introducing Bridge Grants for Science Engagement Organizations on Simons Foundation

Our latest newsletter hit your inbox last week! Missed it? Catch up on the latest BEAM News here: https://buff.ly/483lYs5

Today, as a part of , we remember the accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker, a largely self-taught mathematician and astronomer who was born in 1731 in Baltimore, MD.

Famously, he assisted with the initial survey of Washington, D.C., as well as published a series of almanacs based on his astronomical measurements. Banneker accomplished all of this against a backdrop of enslavement, violence, and discrimination against African Americans..

Every summer, we honor Benjamin by naming a cohort at BEAM Discovery after him!

Admissions to BEAM Discovery are open! This year, we are opening admissions to 6th graders across Los Angeles and New York City! To learn more about BEAM Discovery and apply, please visit: buff.ly/3SZMYnO

This summer, be part of a transformative experience for students from low-income and historically marginalized communities with exceptional potential in math.

We are hiring:
➕ FACULTY – positions for teachers, professors, and professionals able to work during the summer
➕JUNIOR FACULTY – positions for graduate students and early career teachers
➕COUNSELORS/TEACHING ASSISTANTS – positions for undergraduate students and recent graduates

Working at BEAM is fun, intense, and rewarding. You become part of a close-knit community, doing all kinds of interesting and engaging math with kids who are realizing they love math. We are hiring in New York City and Los Angeles, but also hire nationally for our residential programs (with transportation, housing, and food provided).

Summer Roles at BEAM — Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics Work at BEAM

We are so proud of Consuelo! Thank you to Science Sandbox for spotlighting her BEAM story.

Watch: Math as a Bridge to Endless Opportunity | Simons Foundation Watch: Math as a Bridge to Endless Opportunity on Simons Foundation

Thank you JetPens.com for your support of BEAM!

Happy from BEAM! This month, and every month, we celebrate the achievements of Black mathematicians, scientists, and computer programmers across history, and those who shape the future!

Happy first day of Spring Saturday Classes, Los Angeles! There are so many interesting topics this semester, including Games and Strategies, Financial Math, and more!

📸: Discovery Los Angeles, 2023"

Congratulations, Maya! 🎊

She has been named a Posse Scholar in recognition of her extraordinary leadership potential! This fall, she will attend Kalamazoo College as a biochemistry major with an interest in medicine. She's especially excited about studying abroad and exploring beyond the United States!

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we stand united in the pursuit of equality, justice, and quality math education for all.

BEAM aims to do the hard work to achieve educational equity for the students we serve and counter the damaging effects of racism against marginalized groups in STEM education.

Together, let's continue the work towards a future where opportunities are limitless, and every young mind can thrive.

The latest edition of our newsletter is coming soon! Are you subscribed? Join our mailing list for exciting updates about college admissions, our longitudinal study of STEM outcomes, and more!
https://www.beammath.org/mailing-list

Last Saturday we had a blast playing laser tag and arcade games at our annual Winter Alumni Reunion Party in NYC. It was so great seeing nearly 40 of our students!! 🕹️❄️

Congratulations! 🎉 Rubi has been named a Posse Scholar in recognition of her extraordinary leadership potential! This fall, she will be attending Kalamazoo College, where she looks forward to having new experiences and meeting new people!

Huge thanks to all of our generous supporters who participated in our matching campaign and help make our work possible!

We had an incredibly successful year, and are still tallying up the last few donations. We look forward to sharing the final results soon.

📸 Discovery NYC 2023

Today is the last day to multiply your impact by 5! Help push us over the finish line by donating today. beammath.org/donate

📸: Discovery Los Angeles 2023

Congratulations, Rabbia!! She writes, "Hi everyone! My name is Rabbia and I was recently accepted to University of Pennsylvania at the College of Arts and Sciences, through the QuestBridge National College Match. I plan on majoring in Political Science and I’m so excited to start this new chapter of my life, where I’ll meet countless new friends and join numerous clubs to pursue my passions and goals!"

Just three more days to help us reach our matching goal! Thank you for your continued generosity this giving season. Share this post and donate today at beammath.org/donate

📸: Summer Away Union College 2023

Good luck to all of our BEAM students applying to college! You got this 💪

📸: Claremont Colleges Visit, November 2023

Happy holidays from BEAM! Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year -- our teachers, counselors, tutors, and donors. Warm winter wishes, and a happy new year!

Thank you so much for your continued generosity during this year's matching campaign! Help us reach our matching goal by the end of the year by donating today! beammath.org/donate