The Possible Zone

Welcome Annie Bell, a new intern with TPZ's Program Team! Annie is a current senior at Boston University, completing a degree in Education, with a focus on Educational Design. Her passion is helping youth learn both academic and life skills, opening their eyes to new opportunities and supporting them through powerful learning experiences. Annie also works with the university's research center focusing on developing career readiness curriculum for local youth-serving organizations. She's been working with these groups to develop and adapt career-readiness and STEM curricula. Annie is also passionate about supporting students as they transition from their first years of education to college or the world of work. Welcome Annie!

Please join us in welcoming Sonia Gilewicz as our new Director of Grants. Sonia Gilewicz is a nonprofit professional with a passion for creativity, community, and everyday magic. A grant writer and prospect researcher, she has a knack for storytelling and a dedication to social impact that she is looking forward to using in service of TPZ’s mission. Sonia's experience in fundraising was born of a love for the arts and began at Syracuse University, during an internship at an opera company. From then, she has worked not only in the arts, but education and social justice as well, with an entrepreneurial detour to open Split Apart – a vintage store dedicated to shoppers often excluded from the vintage fashion world, including plus-sized folks, expectant and new parents, and those looking for gender-affirming shopping experiences. Welcome, Sonia!

This summer, TPZ held its inaugural Career Zone event focused on Clean Energy. Industry experts from National Grid, Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC), and the Solomon Group spoke to our College & Career Pathways Bootcamp students and TPZ alumni about the growing field of Clean Energy and the various job opportunities that will be available to them. In addition to this career panel, students also participated in speed networking and had the opportunity to ask questions about mentorship and skills that are needed to be successful in Clean Energy. Thank you to our friends at National Grid, NECEC and the Solomon Group for sharing their enthusiasm and insights with our students and alumni! @NationalGrid @NECEC @SolomonGroupllc #cleanenergy #careerpath

The Work-based Learning & Pathways team is thrilled to welcome Luis Cabral as Work-Based Learning Manager. Luis is coordinating our student internship experiences and partnerships and co-teaching Future You this fall. With over 13 years of experience in workforce development within the education sector, Luis has established a significant track record of designing and implementing innovative programs that bridge the gap between education and career opportunities. His efforts involve collaborating with workforce development leaders and stakeholders to create academic pathways that align with labor market demands. Welcome Luis!

As we closed out our Summer Incubate class, students presented and promoted their business products during the end-of-term marketplace. Incubate was the third class in our #Eship programming, when students expound upon their previously designed low-fidelity prototypes and refine their designs. Through the use of #TinkerCad and #Onship, Disneidy was able to design several 3D models for her products, including matching pairs of best friend keychain locks, a replica of her favorite pair of shoes, and her first character design. #youthentrepreneurship #skillbuilding #STEAMagency #youthinventions

The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit will bring young people, ages 14-18, from across Boston together to explore their entrepreneurial dreams and build their skills and leadership abilities during a fun and engaging day of hands-on learning at The Possible Zone’s Innovation Center in Jackson Square. The free event will include interactive and engaging workshops, food, prizes, vendors, and keynote remarks from Kurt Faustin, Founder of The Dropout Academy. Come envision your next path, whether that be as entrepreneurs, creators, business professionals, or disruptors of tomorrow. Sponsored by the chica project, Center for Women & Enterprise, Love Your Magic, City of Boston Office of Youth Engagement & Advancement, and The Possible Zone. Reserve your spot today! https://lnkd.in/ebQA_xmK #youthentrepreneurship #bostonyouth

Wow! During the Summer Incubate marketplace, Danaya, one of the winners of her class's shark tank pitch competition, unveiled and sold out of her winning Curly Comb product. Beginning with a low-fidelity prototype phase then expanding to use TinkerCad, Danaya created a 3D model of a widetooth comb attachment and was able to print and attach it to a squeeze bottle to help make wash days for curly and coily hair simpler. #youthentrepreneurship #skillbuilding #STEAMagency #youthinventions

The Possible Zone (TPZ) is proud to announce that Kevin McCaskill, an educational leader, career and technical education advocate, and workforce champion, has been named the newest member of the TPZ Board of Directors. As a member of the Board of Directors, Kevin is deepening the organization’s thought leadership and networks with educational partners and associations that share a commitment to empowering and enriching young people’s lives by building skills and social capital. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e9idJ8Y3

Wow! During the Summer Incubate marketplace, Danaya, one of the winners of her class's shark tank pitch competition, unveiled and sold out of her winning Curly Comb product. Beginning with a low-fidelity prototype phase then expanding to use TinkerCad, Danaya created a 3D model of a widetooth comb attachment and was able to print and attach it to a squeeze bottle to help make wash days for curly and coily hair simpler. #youthentrepreneurship #skillbuilding #STEAMagency #youthinventions

Over two weeks in July, teens at TPZ built wind, mechanical, and solar generating arrays, soldering together multiple projects and circuits, then tested and experimented. The high school students used the Microbit microcontroller to “switch” their grid power sources and model how energy grid draws power from different generation sources, depending on demand and supply conditions. The students also built a small electric car from the ground up that gave them the chance to look at some of the basics of how modern electric vehicles consume and control power. “By making the generators and getting to understand how the components worked together, we got a lot more understanding of how we could create something like this using our own hands,” said Tyler, a Deep Dive student. TPZ was able to create a learning experience that was so highly relevant to the sustainable energy industry thanks to support from National Grid! #cleanenergy #youthdevelopment @NationalGrid https://lnkd.in/eu8xDKxs