BridgeUP STEM
What is BridgeUP STEM?
BridgeUP STEM provides the opportunity for Scholars of all backgrounds to experience intensive, year-round educational programming to teach critical skills, build confidence, and open up pathways in the field of computer science. BridgeUP STEM reaches Scholars at critical points in their academic careers, both in high school and college, and provides them a space in which to learn and experiment with STEM while surrounded by their peers and a network of incredible mentors.
THE APPROACH
Why STEM?
Recent studies suggest that nontraditional scholars begin losing interest in STEM subjects between the ages of 11 and 15 — a critical time in their lives as they begin to make decisions around what to pursue in high school, college, and beyond.
This early “leaky pipeline” has huge implications. BridgeUP STEM seeks to inspire and excite young people of all backgrounds to continue pursuing STEM beyond the point where many of their peers drop out.
THE APPROACH
Mechanics and Methodology
BridgeUP STEM provides opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to learn the skills of computer science and research methodology within a research university setting. In the year-long program, high school participants, called BridgeUP STEM Scholars, first enhance their coding skills through a non-credit summer intensive coding class. Then, during the academic year, they gain knowledge and experience with real world computing research through a class facilitated by BridgeUP STEM Faculty Mentors, their graduate student teams, and their undergraduate Helen Fellows. At the same time, the undergraduate Fellows enhance their research skills through their work in the BridgeUP STEM Faculty members’ labs. To add to the richness of the program, the Scholars and the Fellows engage in interactive, fun activities and community events throughout the program.
Helen Fellows are undergraduates within Georgia Tech’s College of Computing who participate in a one-year paid fellowship in computing research and educational outreach. Fellows are particularly interested in exploring careers in computing research in academia or industry.
Helen Fellows work with Georgia Tech BridgeUP STEM faculty and their graduate student teams on real world research projects; serve as mentors to BridgeUP STEM Scholars; participate in professional development workshops; and assist in the coordination of and engage in BridgeUP STEM community activities. Fellows also have the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants for the BridgeUP STEM Scholars summer intensive coding course if the Fellows are not participating in an off-campus summer internship.
BridgeUP STEM success so far
BridgeUP STEM has been in operation for three years, and has grown by leaps and bounds during that time. Across the board, Scholars report higher degrees of interest in going to college in general and studying computing specifically, and universally agree that the program helps them understand better how tech can help to solve real-world problems.
Cohort 2 Scholars participated in Georgia Tech’s Hackathon in late February and once again a BUS team placed first in the Advanced Division.
The program graduated its first cohort of Helen Fellows in April and continues to connect them to prestigious organizations throughout Atlanta, including one placement at Black Book working on data and analytics in the automotive industry, one at American Express doing work involving machine learning, strategy and analytics, and markets; and one at Bloomberg working on a fintech team to develop software to analyze bond indices.
