ART OF PROBLEM SOLVING FOUNDATION
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Mission Statement
Our flagship project, Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), creates pathways for students from low-income and historically marginalized communities to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. To our knowledge, we are the only organization in the US providing comprehensive, long-term support to ensure success in advanced mathematics for students from underserved communities. Our work gives underserved students with high potential and interest in math access to programs for advanced study beginning in middle school, followed by individualized support through high school and college. BEAM students discover the beauty of mathematics and develop real expertise in math. Our outcomes include growth in mathematical problem solving, perseverance, and love of math; and success at outstanding high schools, at a variety of programs for advanced study, and at strong colleges. The Art of Problem Solving Initiative also runs the USA Mathematical Talent Search, a national math contest where students are given a full month to work on 5-6 challenging proof-based problems.
About This Cause
Across the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), people from low-income and historically marginalized backgrounds are dramatically underrepresented. Quite simply, opportunities are closed to many students with high interest and potential in STEM who would otherwise be able to contribute to, and even reshape, STEM fields. Such students face high barriers to STEM achievement beginning at an early age, including under-resourced schools, few enrichment opportunities, and systems and spaces that are unwelcoming and exclusionary. This leaves many students from marginalized communities underprepared for the level of work required to complete STEM degrees in college. As a result, they are less likely than their white peers to successfully complete STEM degrees, and enter and thrive in STEM careers. BEAM aims to change this. Our flagship program, Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics, is designed to create a realistic pathway for underrepresented students to succeed in STEM majors and pursue STEM careers. We currently have city-based programs in New York City and Los Angeles serving about 800 students each year, and a national pilot program working with about 300 students in 5 states. We plan to expand to additional cities in the next 3 to 5 years. Our programs begin with summer camps in advanced math for rising 7th and 8th graders, followed by year-round programs for students in grades 8-12, including weekend classes, tutoring, field trips, career days, and more. We provide individualized advising to help students apply to strong high schools, summer STEM programs (like MathPath and PROMYS), and great-fit colleges. For our college students, we provide one-on-one advising to navigate STEM majors, apply for internships, and prepare for STEM careers. Accomplishments we’re really proud of: Overall, almost 70% of our college cohort have earned spots at colleges ranked “very competitive or higher” by Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges, including Amherst, Brown, Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Smith, Stanford, the University of Chicago, Wesleyan, and Yale. BEAM helps students find and apply to summer STEM enrichment programs where they can explore their passions and prepare for college work. Our students have earned spots at NSF-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates, Canada/USA Mathcamp, PROMYS, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth programs, MathPath, the NASA internship program, and many more. With BEAM’s support, our students consistently earn admission to strong high schools. In NYC, nearly 60% of our students are admitted to high schools we rank as “Tier 1” (schools that offer calculus and where more than 80% of Black or Latinx students graduate college-ready). Fewer than 10% of NYC public schools meet Tier 1 criteria; all are highly selective. These results are far outside typical outcomes for underserved students. At our summer programs, students consistently grow in their problem-solving skills, in their stamina for solving difficult problems, and in their interest in math. Our students tell us that BEAM has an overwhelmingly positive and formative impact. Kaylin (8th grade) wrote: “BEAM has changed my perspective of learning forever. This program has helped boost my confidence, makes me love math and learning, and shows me skills that will help me in the future. I’m excited about my classes showing things like new math vocabulary, patterns, and skills that make my brain satisfied, and how to prove my theory/conjecture is true.” Olivia (7th grade) said: “If it weren’t for BEAM, I would have never learned about the Fibonacci sequence and Pascal’s pyramid, and I would have never seen numbers in such a beautiful way!” Eric (college student) wrote: “BEAM has welcomed me and given me the opportunity to learn, a place to grow, and a family of BEAMers who are still helping me in all possible ways. Every person [at BEAM] has made me believe that there is greatness in me, and that it is my responsibility to reach my goal.” There's a story for every student. We would love your support if you can help our students succeed! Learn more about BEAM at www.beammath.org.