Applications are now closed for SY23-24!

Applications were due October 2, 2023.

Apply to BOAST

What is BOAST?

The Baltimore Online Algebra for Students in Technology (BOAST) Program is a free, afterschool program for high school students who are interested in STEM fields and careers and want to apply their math skills to solving real-world challenges.

BOAST Student Recruitment Video -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Programming is part of a research study (see “Research Information” below to see what activities students at your school have access to) 
  • Free, after-school program teaching students to solve math and engineering challenges 
  • Guidance by a Johns Hopkins BOAST instructor after school and through online office hours 
  • Inspirational role model videos from local engineering professionals and students 
  • 3 free field trips throughout the school year 
  • Access to mental health professionals 
  • Program runs from mid October to late May

  • 9th – 11th grade Baltimore City Public Schools students 
  • Achieved a C grade or better in Algebra 1 
  • Have an emerging interest in engineering and science careers 
  • A desire to strengthen math skills 
  • Eligible schools for SY23-24:  
    • Group 1: Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, Green Street Academy, Patterson High School, Benjamin Franklin High School, Mergenthaler High School 
    • Group 2: REACH! Partnership High School, Western High School, Baltimore Design School, Digital Harbor High School, Forest Park Senior High School, Carver Vocational-Technical High School

  • The application opened Monday, May 1, 2023 
  • The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM September 23, 2023 
  • You’ll need your student ID number when applying 
  • Students will receive a welcome notice and invitation to attend a kickoff event by early October

  • 1 hour – Meet with JHU BOAST instructor once a week after school 
  • 2 hours – Online independent work throughout the rest of the week (asynchronous) 
  • The program will include 6 modules:  
    • Module 1: October-November 
    • Module 2: November-December 
    • Module 3: December-January (excluding Winter Break) 
    • Module 4: February 
    • Module 5: March-April 
    • Module 6: April-May

  • Access to a dedicated space in your school to meet with the JHU BOAST instructor
    • solve engineering challenges 
    • have access to computers 
    • work in groups or independently 
  • Independent work can take place anytime, anywhere with internet access 

  • Materials and tools will be provided to help solve engineering challenges 
  • Students are expected to use a Chromebook or laptop to access the curriculum

  • Completion of the program earns students a college recommendation letter 
  • A chance to win $1,000 for the highest performing school 
  • Preferred status when applying to STEM programs such as Engineering Innovation and Building STEPS 
  • Strengthen math skills 
  • Expose students to engineering and science fields 
  • Potential to establish professional relationships 
  • Learn about new and emergent technologies

  • Identify a staff member to provide support who will be paid by JHU 
  • Provide a dedicated space for students to work in such as a computer lab or with access to a laptop cart 
  • Maintain secure storage for student kits and in-progress projects

Research Information

In addition to algebra-for-engineering programming for high school students, BOAST has a research component. With this research, we would like to find out whether participating in BOAST helps students improve math skills, gain more interest in engineering, or develop career goals in STEM (STEM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.) We hope that this study can help more students who are interested in STEM careers reach their goals. By participating in the research, students can help contribute to the success of others in the future. Depending on what school students go to, they can be part of one of two research groups. Students in Group One will participate in algebra-for-engineering lessons and other activities. Students in Group Two will participate in engineering career development activities and receive incentives to participate. If they agree to be a part of this study, they may take part in one or more of the following research activities:  

  • Participating in a one-on-one 30-45 minute interview  
  • Taking a survey at the beginning and the end of the school year 
    • If you are in Group Two and do not participate in the algebra-for engineering lessons, you will receive a $15 gift card each time you complete the survey. 

Throughout the research, students’ information will be kept private. Student names will not be included in the data used in the research. Also, all the data will be kept very secure. Anything students do or say during the research study will be completely private, and it will never be shared with anyone else — not with parents, teachers, or other students. The research is being conducted by Rachel E. Durham at Notre Dame of Maryland University and Michael Falk at Johns Hopkins University. We are inviting the BOAST participants to participate in the research, but it is completely voluntary. No one can make students take part of this research study, even if they participate in BOAST lessons or other BOAST programming.  If you have any questions about the research study or about what participating means, please contact Rachel Durham at 443-627-1147 or email her at rdurham@ndm.edu. She would be very happy to answer any questions about the research study, or about BOAST. 

BOAST is Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DRL-2005790. 

Get in Touch

Alexis Daniels

Baltimore OST Program Manager
Location:
2701 N. Charles Street, Fifth Floor
Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone:
410-516-5785