Building STEPS Snapshot
Summer 2021
Summer Experience-Remote and Remarkable

The 2021 high school graduates and rising high school seniors kick off each day with an ice-breaker and transition to math, literacy and writing enrichment, career exploration and professional development. Hands-on science experiments, 1:1 conversations with professionals from their career interests and college bridge round out this six week program. Our students are doing the work to ensure their college and career success.
Vision boards are a creative way to map out intentions and help motivate towards goals and dreams. This icebreaker allows students to share their visions while honing public speaking skills as they present to their peers.
Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

Corporate partnerships and volunteers provide the STEM exposure and immersion that is the starting point for our students. Northrop Grumman, University of Maryland Baltimore County Center for Women in Technology, Towson University Center for STEM Excellence, Ciena/Blue Planet, JMT, Tulkoff Food Manufacturing and NuEvolve stepped in to provide academic enrichment, STEM activities and professional development. Individiual health care professionals and medical students shared insights into their career journey.
Many thanks to all that make the team work!
Blue Planet professionals from the U.S., Australia, India and Poland shared IT insights and career options with Building STEPS students.
Building STEPS Welcomes New Board Chair

Dr. David E. Lockhart has been named Chairman of the Board, succeeding Dr. Richard Edlow. Dave is a retired U.S. Army Officer and Senior Manager with Boeing, representing a range of Boeing products and services aligned to U.S. Army needs in the communications, command and control, sensors, global positioning systems, cyber, testing, training, and unmanned aircraft systems. Dave sits on several boards in the local area dedicated to improving collaboration and interaction between industry and local community leaders. His passion lies with helping people and organizations collectively realize their full potential. He is a strong advocate of lifetime learning. Welcome Dave!
Building Bridges for Incoming College Students

Easing the transition to campus, Building STEPS arranges for incoming first-year college students to 'meet up' with Building STEPS upperclassmen. These meet ups offer our students a connection to campus and a direct go-to. Our college students are happy to help fellow Building STEPS students new to campus and college life. While this round was virtual, in-person meet ups will happen in the fall.
Joelle, a Towson University student and Building STEPS alum, speaks with several incoming first-year Towson Tigers during a recent college meet-up.
Special Delivery

Our graduating high school seniors were surprised with a very special delivery...a brand new laptop donated by Blue Planet, a division of Ciena. The tech package includes a laptop, a one year subscription to online tutoring services and a $100 gift card towards college supplies. The students, now technically equipped for college, were thrilled to receive this gift!
Equipping our city's brightest students with the tools to
propel them to college and career success.