Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology Partners with BELL for Summer Service Learning Project

Boston, MA—The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) has partnered with Building Education Leaders for Life (BELL) for a service learning project in which  BELL students will be mentored by 20 BFIT students enrolled in the Early Access to College (EAC) program. This service learning project will be held over a series of 3 consecutive Fridays and will be hosted at BFIT in Boston’s South End. On July 19th, 26th, and August 2nd, 75 BELL middle school students at BPS schools will participate in a workshops about leadership led by high school students enrolled in BFIT’s EAC program.  

Currently, 20 Boston area high school students are enrolled in a free 8-week summer course at BFIT entitled the Psychology of Leadership, taught by BFIT’s Academic Dean, Dr. Brian Bicknell. “The class is not only about information, but transformation. The students apply what they’ve learned in class to their own lives, thereby transforming their knowledge into application. This partnership with BELL is a perfect example of this crucial learning experience.” BFIT’s Early Access to College (EAC) program was piloted in 2005 as a free comprehensive college preparation and retention program to encourage Boston Public Schools (BPS) students from the academic middle to pursue a college education. EAC is a long-term commitment to BPS students and to strengthening the Greater Boston community. This successful dual enrollment program increases students’ chances of accessing an education that leads to a meaningful, sustainable career with opportunities for advancement and a brighter future.

Charlie Cremens, Director of BPS Partnerships at BFIT, believes this partnership represents the start of what he hopes will be the first in a series of effective opportunities for collaboration. “It’s only natural for a school like BFIT, which is dedicated to college access for Boston’s underserved students, to help introduce the soft skills necessary to be successful in college.” The 3-day program will teach middle school students the importance of effective communication through a blend of workshops, group projects, and team building activities. The outcomes of this partnership will teach BELL students the importance of good communication and leadership while instilling in BFIT’s EAC students the importance of mentorship and civic responsibility, a foundational goal of the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology.

To learn more about the EAC program at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, please visit http://www.bfit.edu/Academics/Early-Access-to-College--EAC-

About Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology is a private, two-year, non-profit, technical college with approximately 500 students in Boston’s South End neighborhood. The College offers an array of programs leading to careers in Automotive Technology, Computer Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Building Technology, HVAC&R, Electrical Technology, and Eye Health Technology fields leading to certificate, associate, and bachelor degree credentials. The College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Additional information about the College and its programs can be found online at www.bfit.edu. 

About BELL

BELL exists to transform the academic achievements, self-confidence, and life trajectories of children living in under-resourced, urban communities.

Because we believe in the tremendous potential of all children to excel, we recognize them as scholars.

We pursue our mission by partnering with schools to expand learning time in the summer and after school.  Our two main program models, BELL Summer and BELL After School, deliver small-group academic instruction, mentorship, a wide range of enrichment activities, and community engagement. BELL serves scholars in grades K-8 throughout the United States. You can learn more about each of our communities here.

BELL works to ensure all children have the learning opportunities they need to fulfill their potential in school and in life. Research shows that a lack of additional learning time – and in particular, a lack of summer learning opportunities – causes up to 2/3 of the academic achievement gap between children from low-income communities and their higher-income peers.

BELL delivers educational summer and after school experiences that increase time-on-task and accelerate academic achievement. Student success leads to improved school attendance, higher grades and test scores, and increased graduation rates. Ultimately, by reaching a critical mass of students and breaking cycles of academic under-performance, BELL’s impact helps turn around low-performing schools.

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