Mentorship and Changing Mindsets at the Newton Boys & Girls Club

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

The Science: Oceans in a Bottle & Real-World Lessons

We kicked things off with a classic visual experiment: Ocean in a Bottle. While the kids loved watching the vibrant blue and green liquids swirl, the activity served a much bigger purpose. We used it to break down the science behind why water and oil don't mix, then moved right into a critical conversation about oil spills and water pollution.

To bridge the gap between science and math, we challenged the students with a density workshop. Seeing the conceptual lightbulbs turn on as they grasped how mass and volume interact was incredibly rewarding.

Moving Beyond Fun: The Power of Mentorship

During the session, the Club's Center Director, Frank, shared some moving context with us. Many of the children at this center come from incredibly unique and challenging backgrounds. Some are navigating life without a mother, a father, or both—including children currently in the foster care system. A number of the kids commute from communities outside of Newton. Frank emphasized that these kids don't just need a distraction; they need to see a path forward. He wants them to learn STEM concepts so they can envision stable, meaningful, and lucrative careers in their futures. Hearing that reframed our entire mission. Our job wasn’t just to provide an hour of fun; it was to mentor, guide, and show up for these kids.

Our team of student volunteers—ranging from rising 10th graders to incoming college freshmen—stepped up to that challenge beautifully. Long before the 11:00 AM start time, this team was grinding. They met multiple times over the past few weeks, even jumping on a final prep call at 8:30 AM the day of the activity to perfect their custom PowerPoint slides on pollution.

Through this process, our BranchOut! mentors didn't just teach—they grew. They walked away with sharper leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, learning how to adapt on the fly to keep young minds engaged.

Looking Ahead: An Expanded Invitation

The ultimate validation of the team's hard work came at the end of the day. The center was so thrilled with the engagement that we have been invited back for the rest of the summer to teach two separate classes!

Next week, we will return to see our amazing group of 4th- and 5th-graders and launch a brand-new session tailored specifically for the middle school group (grades 6-8).

Thank you to Frank, the Boys & Girls Club, and our incredibly dedicated volunteers for making day one an unforgettable success. We are just getting started, Boston!