MassRobotics Opens Applications for Second Jumpstart Fellowship Program to Encourage Robotics Diversity

Following a successful pilot run of the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program, applications for its second cohort are now open through Nov. 1. The Jumpstart program provides opportunities for diverse Massachusetts high school girls to learn about careers in robotics, expose them to technical skills, and develop their professional networks through direct engagement with industry professionals.

All female high school juniors and seniors, especially those who are Black and Latinx, with a passion for robotics and technology are encouraged to apply. MassRobotics offers registration online, and applicants can learn more by attending an upcoming virtual student information session.

This cohort will run from Jan. 8 through May 14, 2022. It will meet on Saturdays, alternating between in-person meetings at MassRobotics' office in Boston and in virtual sessions. It will also include a full week of sessions and field trips to robotics companies during the February school vacation week.

The Jumpstart curriculum exposes young women to the many technical skills needed within the robotics industry, from programming to design and simulation, to hands-on building, prototyping, and testing. The curriculum includes expertise from MassRobotics' partners and the Massachusetts robotics ecosystem including SolidWorks, MathWorks, Lightspeed Manufacturing, and GreenSight.

Dassault Systèmes supports Jumpstart program

The first Jumpstart cohort was made possible through funding and support provided by The Boston Foundation, Dassault Systèmes' La Fondation and Mass Tech Collaborative.

"We at Dassault Systèmes' La Fondation are delighted to support the MassRobotics Jumpstart Program," said Deborah Dean, president of Dassault Systèmes' La Fondation. "We recognize the importance of the mission to empower minority women with technical skills and expertise and look forward to welcoming them to the tech industry in their careers."

Hands-on exposure will show young women opportunities in STEM careers. Source: MassRobotics

The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce in Massachusetts currently suffers from a lack of diversity.

In the Massachusetts technology sector, which includes STEM and the robotics industry, only 5% of workers are Black, 7% are Latinx, and one third are women, according to the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC).

"We know that girls, especially Black and Latinx girls, are not represented well in the robotics tech sector -- and we believe we can change this," said Carolyn Kirk, executive director of MassTech Collaborative. "By setting women of color up for success in the tech field, they will more likely pursue these disciplines for their professional careers. We are happy to support MassRobotics in developing a diverse talent pipeline and future leaders in the tech sector."

A key part of the program is making sure these young women feel confident and empowered to enter the STEM field. Students will learn directly from mentors about the different types of robotics jobs and how to leverage their studies into a career in robotics through lab and company visits.

Students will also be given the opportunity to receive paid internships at robotics and technology companies participating in the program.

Local robotics businesses that would like to employ Jumpstart interns or provide expertise during Saturday lessons can e-mail Khalif Mitchell, STEM program manager at MassRobotics, for more information.

MassRobotics offers to connect companies with interns. Source: MassRobotics

About MassRobotics

MassRobotics is the result of the collective work of a global group of engineers, rocket scientists and entrepreneurs with a shared vision to create a strong, vibrant robotics and IoT ecosystem. The organization's mission is to help create and scale the next generation of successful robotics and connected devices companies. It provides entrepreneurs and innovative robotics/automation startups with the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test, and commercialize their products and solutions.