If you walked onto the playground at the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club in Newton, MA, this past week, you would have seen it: a swarm of middle schoolers cheering, a flurry of straws, tape, and tarps, and raw eggs plummeting from 12 feet in the air. Week 4 of BranchOut!’s Boston summer STEM program was dedicated to Gravity and Engineering, challenging the students to build protective landers to keep their eggs intact. Moving the session outdoors brought a completely new wave of energy

When Abby Wei, a rising 12th grader at Tabor Academy, stepped into her role as a BranchOut! team leader at the Boys & Girls Club this summer, she brought energy, speed, and a strong drive to succeed. Like many high-achieving student leaders, Abby initially thought leadership meant having all the answers and carrying the weight of the project on her own shoulders. Beyond her work with BranchOut!, Abby harbors a deep passion for marine science and ocean engineering. At Tabor Academy—a school sit

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.