Education Secretary James Peyser visits The BASE, as 5th Annual STEM Week Events Continue Across the Commonwealth
BOSTON –– Today Education Secretary James Peyser, joined by two graduate students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), visited middle and high school students at The BASE to discuss the importance of studying science, technology, engineering, and math, during an event celebrating the 5th annual Massachusetts STEM Week. The BASE, a nonprofit organization based in Roxbury, provides athletic programs and academic support to student-athletes to help them succeed in school and graduate high school with a plan for success.
The organization creates a college-going culture and sets expectations for young people to continue education or training after high school. Sports, post-secondary planning, STEM programs and skill-based learning opportunities are offered to students from 6-years-old to 19.
“Science, technology, engineering, and math are the cornerstones of many exciting careers that might surprise people, even in professional sports. For example, the Boston Red Sox hire data analysts who conduct statistical modeling and quantitative analysis from a variety of data sources to evaluate players and make strategic decisions,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “STEM jobs exist in every industry, and that will only increase in the future. We need to make sure all young people are prepared.”
“It’s critical that our kids are exposed to STEM at an early age and develop comfort and confidence with these technologies,” said The BASE President and CEO Stephen Lewis. “We know there is so much growth and opportunity in the STEM fields, particularly in Greater Boston, so we feel it is incumbent upon us to provide these programs and experiences for our student-athletes.”
Malik George and Miles George, twin brothers who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in May and are now Ph.D. candidates at MIT, spoke to students about the importance of studying STEM, and the need to diversify the workforce.
“Inclusivity and access are some of the biggest drivers in any change, no matter the field, STEM or otherwise, and we need to make sure younger generations can see people doing science and know what it is all about. That’s how you start passions,” said Malik George. “Not everyone has access to science labs or know people who work in STEM fields, especially at younger ages. As scientists, we try to show young people what the science fields are like to make sure everyone has access.”
In partnership with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the BASE Robotics program introduces young people to engineering, robotics, and coding. With small classes and hands-on instruction, students create unique designs and solve coding tasks with interactive software tools. Launched in the summer of 2021, the robotics program has served over 250 students to date. Now in its second year, the program has expanded beyond the introductory course to include more advanced learning opportunities and the first-ever BASE Robotics team is preparing to compete in local competitions with other programs and schools through FIRST Robotics WPI, one of the organizations awarded a grant to provide STEM Design Challenges to students in schools around the Commonwealth.
“The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is proud to support The BASE's STEM programming which is re-imagining pathways to success for urban youth,” said Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Kenn Turner. “The young people benefiting from the stellar programming at The Base are exactly the type of talent that we in the life sciences sector need to attract and retain right here in Massachusetts. These young women and men have unlimited potential.”
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has previously provided $100,000 to support The BASE’s STEM, career exploration, and experiential learning programming. The BASE provides its Student-Athletes with opportunities to develop specific skills that are in high demand across sectors of the Commonwealth’s life sciences industry. Funding also supported The BASE’s Robotics Club which provides students the opportunity to learn about engineering, robotics, and coding by creating robots from scratch and solving coding tasks via interactive software and tools.
In recent months, The BASE has formed a partnership with Bedford-based iRobot Education, introducing their students to new robotics applications and forms of coding. They have also purchased two 3D printers and launched a beginner-level course in 3D modeling and printing techniques.
The organization creates a college-going culture and sets expectations for young people to continue education or training after high school. Sports, post-secondary planning, STEM programs and skill-based learning opportunities are offered to students from 6-years-old to 19.
“Science, technology, engineering, and math are the cornerstones of many exciting careers that might surprise people, even in professional sports. For example, the Boston Red Sox hire data analysts who conduct statistical modeling and quantitative analysis from a variety of data sources to evaluate players and make strategic decisions,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “STEM jobs exist in every industry, and that will only increase in the future. We need to make sure all young people are prepared.”
“It’s critical that our kids are exposed to STEM at an early age and develop comfort and confidence with these technologies,” said The BASE President and CEO Stephen Lewis. “We know there is so much growth and opportunity in the STEM fields, particularly in Greater Boston, so we feel it is incumbent upon us to provide these programs and experiences for our student-athletes.”
Malik George and Miles George, twin brothers who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in May and are now Ph.D. candidates at MIT, spoke to students about the importance of studying STEM, and the need to diversify the workforce.
“Inclusivity and access are some of the biggest drivers in any change, no matter the field, STEM or otherwise, and we need to make sure younger generations can see people doing science and know what it is all about. That’s how you start passions,” said Malik George. “Not everyone has access to science labs or know people who work in STEM fields, especially at younger ages. As scientists, we try to show young people what the science fields are like to make sure everyone has access.”
In partnership with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the BASE Robotics program introduces young people to engineering, robotics, and coding. With small classes and hands-on instruction, students create unique designs and solve coding tasks with interactive software tools. Launched in the summer of 2021, the robotics program has served over 250 students to date. Now in its second year, the program has expanded beyond the introductory course to include more advanced learning opportunities and the first-ever BASE Robotics team is preparing to compete in local competitions with other programs and schools through FIRST Robotics WPI, one of the organizations awarded a grant to provide STEM Design Challenges to students in schools around the Commonwealth.
“The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is proud to support The BASE's STEM programming which is re-imagining pathways to success for urban youth,” said Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Kenn Turner. “The young people benefiting from the stellar programming at The Base are exactly the type of talent that we in the life sciences sector need to attract and retain right here in Massachusetts. These young women and men have unlimited potential.”
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has previously provided $100,000 to support The BASE’s STEM, career exploration, and experiential learning programming. The BASE provides its Student-Athletes with opportunities to develop specific skills that are in high demand across sectors of the Commonwealth’s life sciences industry. Funding also supported The BASE’s Robotics Club which provides students the opportunity to learn about engineering, robotics, and coding by creating robots from scratch and solving coding tasks via interactive software and tools.
In recent months, The BASE has formed a partnership with Bedford-based iRobot Education, introducing their students to new robotics applications and forms of coding. They have also purchased two 3D printers and launched a beginner-level course in 3D modeling and printing techniques.
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