On May 16th, 2026, we celebrated the accomplishments of our Jumpstart Cohort 6 Fellows with families, mentors, and sponsors at MassRobotics headquarters in Boston.
The Jumpstart Fellowship Program was founded to grow a more inclusive robotics and tech pipeline. More specifically, the program focuses on high school females.
The goal of the program is to encourage and empower diverse high school girls to pursue careers in robotics and promote the diversity of the robotics workforce by giving them a solid foundation of technical skills, as well as mentors and a professional network to give them the confidence and support they need to pursue a career in the tech field. The program includes a paid summer internship at a robotics company, where students can apply their skills to real-world applications and meaningful work.
During a five-month Saturday curriculum, the fellows learn all aspects of engineering that drive the robotics field, including CAD (SolidWorks), Programming, Simulation, Fabrication, and the use of prototyping equipment. A large part of the program also explores soft skills, use of LinkedIn, resumes, and exposure to females in tech at all stages of their careers, who provide weekly mentorship and advice. Students who complete this portion of the curriculum build a strong network of females in the robotics and tech industries.
Founded in 2021, the annual program has completed the 6th cohort, bringing the total number of Jumpstart Alumni to 115. Students this year participated from high schools in Boston, Quincy, Arlington, Brookline, Burlington, Canton, and Woburn.
The program is funded through a grant from La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, and this year a donation from Beacon Interactive Systems.. The curriculum is largely taught by industry professionals in the field who volunteer their time on Saturdays to meet with the Fellows and share their experiences and expertise.
Saturday’s event celebrated the students’ achievements throughout the 5-month program. Thanks were given to program coordinators and mentors who provided technical expertise and advice during the program. Specific shout-outs to Rachael Naoum – CSWE from SolidWorks, who has been providing curriculum and support for 5 years, and to Betsy Jasper, who worked with the students on several weekends, sharing her expertise in CNC and machining and going above and beyond to support the MassRobotics team. Other industry experts also provided mentorship during our Saturday sessions.
The impact of mentors is a large part of this program and truly helps the students grow. Thanks also to the many industries that opened their doors for field trips – first-hand experience seeing operations is eye-opening. It provides a new look into career opportunities: GreenSight, EXP Northeastern, ADI Garage, Shell Techworks, UMass Lowell NERVE Center, WSP, MIT Media Lab, Harmonic Drive, Smart SKN.
In addition, fellows who met the criterion of attending all sessions received a $ 1,000 stipend from MassTech Collaborative.
As Jumpstart Cohort 6 came to a close, the program’s impact was evident not only in the technical skills participants developed but also in the confidence, friendships, and sense of belonging they gained along the way.
Sophie, one of the fellows in Cohort 6, reflected on how the program exceeded her expectations:
“To me, Jumpstart was everything I was looking for and so much more. Through fireside chats, hands-on experiences, and constant encouragement, it gave me a clearer vision of what it means to be a female engineer and provided me with the tools and confidence to continue pursuing my path in engineering.”
She shared that before joining Jumpstart, she viewed engineering primarily as building machines and solving math problems. Through experiences with CAD, SolidWorks, 3D printing, soldering, and other technical projects, she discovered the breadth of the field and the many paths available to aspiring engineers.
Equally important was the supportive environment fostered by the program.
“Everyone here created an environment filled with support and encouragement. They taught us that making mistakes is an essential part of growth and helped build a strong sense of community among all the girls in the program.”
For Sophie, Jumpstart provided something even deeper than technical knowledge: the opportunity to grow, take risks, and develop confidence.
“I will forever be grateful to Jumpstart for giving me the opportunity to explore a part of myself that had never before been given the right environment to fully bloom. It gave me the freedom to try, to fail, and to try again.”
That sense of community was echoed by fellow Cohort 6 participant Stephany, who emphasized that while the technical experiences were valuable, the relationships made the program truly unforgettable.
“Jumpstart is one of those one-of-a-kind programs that you do in high school that you will still be talking about when you’re 50. The opportunities and skills that we were taught will never be forgotten throughout our future careers.”
Stephany reflected on the many opportunities the program provided—from robotics and engineering workshops to field trips and hands-on projects—but noted that the people were what made the greatest impression.
“It wasn’t the cool field trips or the hands-on projects we got to do that made it special; it was the people. I got to make friendships that would last a lifetime, network with professionals, and meet some of the most inspiring people who made it from square one to where they are now.”
As Cohort 6 graduates move forward into new academic and professional opportunities, their reflections highlight what makes Jumpstart unique: a combination of technical skill-building, mentorship, exploration, and community that empowers young women to see themselves as future leaders in STEM.
As Stephany put it:
“I will never forget about Jumpstart and how memorable it’s been.”
The experiences, connections, and confidence gained through Jumpstart will continue to shape these fellows long after the program ends.
What’s next for the Fellows?
In June, our Fellows will begin their summer internships, where they will apply their skills in real-world engineering environments and continue building their professional experience. In August, we will host a reunion for the cohort, during which students will share reflections on their internship experiences and provide updates on their academic and career plans.
We are deeply grateful to GreenSight, WSP, Piaggio Fast Forward, Maglev Aero, and AVA for hosting our Fellows this summer.
Thanks to all the mentors and partners who make this work possible. Those who provide technical guidance, lead industry visits, and generously share their career journeys through fireside chats. The support of women uplifting other women is powerful and transformative.
