Jumpstart Fellowship Program Introduces High School Girls to Careers in Robotics
LOWELL, Mass. – When Lowell High School senior Robina Nyangai walks into the UMass Lowell New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation (NERVE) Center, she feels a sense of belonging.
Since January, Nyangai has spent her Saturdays at the university’s interdisciplinary robotics testing, research and training facility as a member of the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program, which provides opportunities for high school girls in Massachusetts to learn about careers in robotics. The program, which originated in Boston in 2021, expanded to UMass Lowell in 2024 with support from the Massachusetts Tech Collaborative.
“I’ve learned so much about robotics and engineering through this program. It’s empowered me to pursue a career path in engineering,” said Nyangai, who will be majoring in computer engineering at UMass Lowell in the fall.
For Joyce Sidopoulos, MassRobotics’ co-founder and chief of operations, that’s what the Jumpstart Fellowship Program is all about – encouraging girls of all backgrounds to enter robotics careers. According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, women make up just 16% of the robotics and engineering workforce in the United States.
“As we’ve entered the fifth year of the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program, we’re proud to see its continued growth and success, especially in our second year here at UMass Lowell,” Sidopolous said. “The NERVE Center provides an ideal environment for our students, offering hands-on experience with advanced robotics, all while immersing them in a college atmosphere. This exposure not only helps students build confidence in their abilities but also strengthens the connection between education and industry.”
Students in the program, which requires no prior knowledge to join, learn computer-aided design, coding, fabrication, 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, circuitry, computer numerical control (CNC) machine operation and ethical ways to use artificial intelligence.
Beacon Interactive Systems purchased new laptops for the Lowell cohort, equipping them with the necessary tools to further advance their developing skills.
“We are proud to support UMass Lowell and their participation in the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program,” said ML Mackey, CEO of Beacon Interactive Systems. “It’s important to empower curious minds to be creative in solving problems and making an impact on the world around them. When we can assist in getting them there, it’s a win-win.”
The students gain networking skills through meeting female mentors, including Holly Yanco, director of the NERVE Center and chair of UMass Lowell’s Miner School of Computer and Information Sciences.
“The students’ curiosity and drive are exactly what the field of robotics needs,” Yanco said. “I’m proud that the NERVE Center can serve as a space where young women can explore, experiment and see themselves as future innovators.”
The female mentors have inspired Burlington High School junior Aadya Gurjar.
“It’s important to get insights from females because we need more females in the robotics industry,” she said. “They’ve gone through the same experiences that I’m going through now and are able to provide me with guidance.”
The students spent their February vacation meeting professionals at local companies, including New Balance, ASMPT, Desktop Metal, MITRE, Teledyne FLIR, Analog Devices and Shell TechWorks. MassRobotics will also pair the students with technology companies for summer internships. Companies interested in hosting an intern from the Jumpstart Fellowship Program are encouraged to email info@massrobotics.org.
Briana Ssozi, a first-year computer science student at UMass Lowell, participated in the Jumpstart Fellowship Program in Lowell in 2024. The Chelmsford, Massachusetts, resident said the hands-on experience she gained set her up for success going into college.
“When I saw college students doing cool robotics research while I was at the NERVE Center, it made me want to apply to UMass Lowell even more,” Ssozi said. “I knew this school was meant for me.”
Alethea Campbell, program manager for the Jumpstart Fellowship, is excited about what lies ahead for the program and its students.
“UMass Lowell, with its cutting-edge facilities and strong ties to the robotics industry, is the perfect place for our program to thrive and grow,” she said.
Media contacts: Brooke Coupal, communications, economic impact and research development specialist, Brooke_Coupal@uml.edu, and Nancy Cicco, assistant director of media relations, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
Source: https://www.uml.edu/news/press-releases/2025/massrobotics-jumpstart-fellowship-2025.aspx