The BranchOut! Blog

The 2026 World Cup is now in full swing in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In my home city, Boston, the streets are flooded with national supporters from all over the world. The Tartan Army, Scotland’s fans, have made dozens of local headlines over the past few weeks, drinking bars dry, ‘coning’ statues, among a lot of other fun stuff. The actual playing has been just as exciting, especially if you’ve been following the astronomic run that Cape Verde’s

Reading through the incredible history of Tabor Academy and its unique relationship with Buzzards Bay got me thinking. It’s one thing to stand on the edge of Sippican Harbor and admire the sheer, raw energy of the ocean—the rising tides, the constant wind, and the relentless roll of the waves. It’s another thing entirely to realize that we, as high schoolers, have a massive role to play in protecting this giant "natural battery" and finding ways to safely harness its power.

Starting a new chapter is always a mix of nervous energy and excitement, but today, BranchOut! Boston officially launched with its first-ever event at the Newton Boys & Girls Club on July 10th, 2026. Working with a vibrant group of 15 4th- and 5th-graders, our goal was simple yet profound: to make STEM accessible, impactful, and deeply meaningful.

On June 30th, BranchOut! was deeply honored to receive the Outstanding Community Organization Award at the National United Chinese American (UCA) Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. This milestone recognition reflects the incredible dedication of our mentors, student leaders, advisors, community partners, and supporters who have helped shape BranchOut! over the past 11 years.

On Friday, March 20th, the Howard County Chapter launched its 25-26 season with an Open House Event. As the program enters its seventh year, the event set the tone for a successful and impactful season, bringing over 60 attendees, including both new and returning members. By 6 PM, students began trickling in. The event opened with videos featuring BranchOut! alumni now attending schools such as Yale, UPenn, Tufts, UMD, Brown, and CMU. Each student provided their own unique ba