Students from P.S. 199 in Sunnyside learned about the science behind bridges and constructed their own models through the Salvadori Center’s BRIDGES program sponsored by Time Warner Cable. Photo Salvadori Center Continuing its mission to raise awareness about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills through the Connect A Million Minds program, Time Warner Cable (TWC) announced on July 5 its $18,000 grant to the Salvadori Center BRIDGES program. BRIDGES (Build, Research, Invent, Design, Grow and Explore through Science) is an after-school, 12-week science education program serving middle school children in over 25 community centers in the city.

Students from P.S. 150 and P.S. 199 in Sunnyside, and the YouthBuild organization in East Harlem recently completed a successful semester of the BRIDGES program. This past spring, students investigated the different types of bridges and their function, while learning about the history of some of the world’s most prominent bridges. Students also identified the structural parts that make up a bridge and the forces that act upon them, analyzing how location, materials and technology affect the design.

“The Salvadori Center’s BRIDGES program is a great complement to Time Warner Cable’s Connect A Million Minds program as both bring alive the importance of STEM skills to students,” Time Warner Cable’s Regional Vice President of Operations for New York City John Quigley said. “BRIDGES is a great way for students to learn about the architectural wonders that we see and experience each day, and how STEM plays a central role. Time Warner Cable encourages students to pursue STEM skills as recent studies show that more than half of the fastest growing jobs in the future will be in the science or technology field.”

“For over 35 years, the Salvadori Center has been helping students gain a personal understanding of math and science concepts through exploring the built environment—bridges, buildings, landmarks, and their communities,” Salvadori Center’s Executive Director Kenneth Jones said. “With the generous support from Time Warner Cable, the Salvadori Center is able to bring this approach to learning math and science to students in after-school programs in three sites in East Harlem and Sunnyside Queens. Salvadori’s BRIDGES program delivers a fun and captivating experience that enables students to better understand science, engineering, mathematics, design, and technology through the built environment while reinforcing schoolday learning.”

BRIDGES focuses on fun and engaging topics such as bridges, skyscrapers, green design and skateparks. The program allows students to explore architecture, structural engineering, science, and math while learning more about their own communities. For more information about the Salvadori Center and its programs, visit www.salvadori.org.

Connect a Million Minds was created by Time Warner Cable in 2009, designed to inspire the next generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math. For more information about Connect a Million Minds, visit www.connectamillionminds.com.