Jumpstart Fellowship
2025 Cohort 5 applications are now closed
the jumpstart fellowship Applications for Cohort 5, 2025, are now closed.
MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program
We created the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program in 2021 to provide opportunities for diverse Massachusetts high school girls to learn about STEM careers in robotics and develop their professional networks through direct engagement with industry professionals.
This program encourages diverse high school girls to pursue robotics careers by providing them a solid foundation of technical skills as well as mentors and a professional network that gives them support and confidence. Students gain real-world experience through a paid summer internship at a robotics or tech company.
This is an annual program from January – May and meets weekly at the MassRobotics facility in Boston or at the NERVE center at UMass Lowell on Saturdays as well as the school’s February vacation week. It includes occasional field trips as well as a paid summer internship.
Jumpstart cohort primary timeline
“Greensight co-founded Jumpstart because supporting STEM education and helping foster DEI in the tech industry are core goals of our company. Jumpstart allows us to make a noticeable difference in both these areas. To us, the lack of diversity in robotics is an obvious sign that a lot of high quality talent simply is not able to break into the industry. Jumpstart is a small but significant way for GreenSight to enlarge the pool of US robotics engineers. Years of experience has taught our company how to make excellent use of engineering co-ops and interns, and the Jumpstart interns we’ve hired have made significant contributions to GreenSIght.” -Joel Pedlikin, Co founder & COO GreenSight
“It is important for fellowships like this to exist because it created a space for women of color to bond over their knowledge of STEM. Together, this cohort got over their shyness and worked as one unit to successfully complete a rigorous program.” – Hermione 2022
“I’m grateful for having this opportunity to meet so many intelligent women in the field of STEM and learn about their journeys.” – Amy 2023
“This program has taught me so much about
what it means to be an engineer.“ – Alison 2024
“Entering the professional world is not easy, but this program has worked with us to make this path a lot easier. “– Tairine 2022
“I found my passion in engineering and coding, my future has never felt so much clearer.” – Helena 2021
“It has been amazing getting to learn from industry professionals, and I feel much more prepared for my future after the program.” – Kendree 2024
If you are interested in hosting Jumpstart students as interns, please contact STEM@massrobotics.org.
Primary Contributors:
MassRobotics jumpstart Program CURRICULUM
Design & Simulation
- Learn the basics of CAD design and 3D modeling
- Use simulation technology
- Learn engineering processes
- Use professional tools
Fabrication & Electricity
- Learn fabrication techniques
- Use machine shop hardware
- Learn electronics, circuits and soldering
- Use 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines and more
Coding
- Learn the basics of coding languages
- Use Python and C++
- Learn how to manipulate data
- Use Linux interfaces
Professional
- Learn how to speak with confidence about yourself and technology
- Learn how to network and prepare for your next steps in education
- Build a LinkedIn profile and resume
- Prepare for college and employment
- Work with female mentors in the industry
Technical experts and mentors are a big part of our program. If you are interested in helping us, please fill out this form to share your area of expertise. Register here if you are interested – we will contact you when your expertise is needed.
Internship
- Jumpstarters are offered a paid meaningful internship at a local tech company
- Internships can be can be project based, job shadowing, technical support designing, building, testing (and more!) and can be a short 4-week sprint or a 8–12-week engagement.
- Jumpstart fellows are treated as employees and assigned mentors at the hiring company
- Our goal is to match the right talent with the best fit while considering location, type of work, and schedule.
- If you are interested in hiring a Jumpstart student, please fill out this google form
JumpstarT FAQs
do i Need prior knowledge?
NO PRIOR SKILL NEEDED: The program is designed to take you to the next level, regardless of where you start.
How can I find more information or ask questions?
We host informational webinars during the application process. Our blog posts are great source of information too. You can also contact us at stem@massrobotics.org.
Is there fee the Jumpstart program?
If selected, there is no fee to attend the program. Upon completion of the training you will receive a stipend for participating.
What is the program timeline?
- Applications for new cohort open September through November
- Accepted students announced and orientation in December
- January – May Program curriculum weekly on Saturdays and daily during February school vacation
When do applications open?
Applications open annually in September ( Subscribe to our newsletter to keep informed!)
Are there internship opportunities?
After jumpstart training completion, there are opportunities in local robotics and technology companies for paid Summer internships.
Who can apply?
All female high school students (preferably juniors and must be 16 by June), especially those who are Black and Latinx, with a passion for robotics and technology are encouraged to apply.
Program structure/Time commitment
- All day Saturdays (9am – 4pm) January through May and February vacation week (9am – 4pm)
- While we request that you attend every session, we also understand sometimes things come up.
Cohort 1 (2021)
COHORT 2 (2022)
COHORT 3 (2023)
COHORT 4 (2024)
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