The Saturday Engineering Enrichment and Discovery (SEED) Academy is an academic enrichment and career exploration program for students who attend public school and also live in Boston, Cambridge and Lawrence, Massachusetts. We provide participants with an interesting, hands-on curriculum that strengthens their foundational math, science and communication skills; a challenging learning environment with high expectations; and access to positive role models. Despite the benefits of economic advancement, professional creativity and career growth, students from local urban communities are not being prepared to enter the technical professions. In collaboration with families, schools, community organizations and MIT, SEED Academy provides participants with critical academic support and opportunities for engineering career exploration to support their high achievement, from high school to college to the workplace. The achievement gap between urban students and their suburban counterparts is significant at the high school level. According to the Massachusetts Department of Education 2004 MCAS results, the 8th grade mathematics failure rate among Boston students was more than four times that of test takers in the nearby suburban community of Brookline, and more than six times that of students in Newton.

SEED Academy hopes to stem the tide among its participants, helping them to increase their academic performance and develop the critical skills required to excel in an increasingly competitive technological society.

With exposure to compelling content and world-class resources at MIT, we are preparing students for academic and professional careers in the technical fields. The program is offered free of charge to participants through the generous support of our sponsors and MIT.