Unlike The Pathway Initiative’s city-funded programs, the Middle School STEM Academy, offered during the school year and over the summer, is a fee-for-service program. We encourage families who are able, with students who are interested in STEM, to pursue this program to set up their children for success in college and future careers, while helping to support TPI’s programming for underserved and low-income students.
Who This Program Is For
School-Year Program
The school-year program is divided into two semesters: September through March and April through May. This program is hybrid, with a one hour Zoom session afterschool each week and a hands-on Saturday session at The Pathway Initiative’s STEM Innovation Lab in Downtown Boston. Students will develop strong STEM content understanding through sessions on health and medicine, technology, engineering, robotics, coding, 3D modeling, design, and more.
School-Year Program Schedule
There are two tracks :
- Bio: Medicine, Health Sciences, Molecular Biology, and Bioengineering
- Tech: Computer Sciences, Robotics, Coding & Programming, 3D Designs & Engineering
Program Structure
Each track is delivered in a focused 4-week block.
Tutorials :
- Virtual, Mondays & Wednesday
- Two 1.5-hour sessions per weekday
- Time, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Hands-on Bio Lab: Saturdays & Sundays : 9.00am-12.00pm
Hands-on Tech Lab: Saturdays & Sundays :12.30pm-3.00pm
Price: $560 for 4 blocks/ per month
Biology Fundamentals Curriculum
Fall Semester: October - March
- BLOCK 1: FOUNDATIONS OF LIFE
- Week 1 (10/27/2025-10/31/2025): Introduction to Biology & Lab Safety
- Week 2 (11/03/2025-11/07/2025): Cells – The Building Blocks of Life
- Week 3 (11/10/2025-11/14/2025): DNA – The Code of Life
- Week 4 (11/17/2025-11/21/2025): Scientific Method & Investigation Skills
- BLOCK 2: HEREDITY & CLASSIFICATION
- Week 5 (12/01/2025-12/05/2025): How Traits are Passed Down
- Week 6 (12/08/2025-12/12/2025): Classification – Organizing Life
- Week 7 (12/15/2025-12/19/2025): Plants – Producers of Life
- Week 8 (12/22/2025-12/26/2025): Plant Reproduction & Growth
- BLOCK 3: ORGANISMS & MICROLIFE
- Week 9 (01/13/2026-01/17/2026): Animals – Consumers in Nature
- Week 10 (01/20/2026-01/24/2026): Microorganisms – The Invisible World
- Week 11 (01/27/2026-01/31/2026): Ecosystems – Living Together
- Week 12 (02/03/2026-02/07/2026): Symbiosis & Population Dynamics
- BLOCK 4: ENERGY & ADAPTATIONS
- Week 13 (02/10/2026-02/14/2026): Energy Flow in Nature
- Week 14 (02/17/2026-02/21/2026): Adaptations – Surviving in Nature
- Week 15 (02/24/2026-02/28/2026): Human Body Systems – How We Work
- Week 16 (03/03/2026-03/07/2026): Nutrition and Digestion
Spring Semester: March - May
- BLOCK 5: HUMAN BIOLOGY & HEALTH
- Week 17 (03/10/2026-03/14/2026): Reproduction and Life Cycles
- Week 18 (03/17/2026-03/21/2026): Environmental Changes and Responses
- Week 19 (03/24/2026-03/28/2026): Biodiversity – The Variety of Life
- Week 20 (03/31/2026-04/04/2026): Evolution – Life Changes Over Time
- BLOCK 6: BIOTECHNOLOGY & HEALTH
- Week 21 (04/07/2026-04/11/2026): Biotechnology – Using Biology to Help Humans
- Week 22 (04/14/2026-04/18/2026): Human Health and Disease
- Week 23 (04/21/2026-04/25/2026): Data Collection and Analysis
- Week 24 (04/28/2026-05/02/2026): Environmental Science & Conservation
- BLOCK 7: FINAL PROJECTS & PRESENTATIONS
- Week 25 (05/05/2026-05/09/2026): Final Project Planning
- Week 26 (05/12/2026-05/16/2026): Final Project Implementation Phase 1
- Week 27 (05/19/2026-05/23/2026): Final Project Implementation Phase 2
- Week 28 (05/26/2026-05/30/2026): Presentations and Course Reflection
AI & Technology Fundamentals Curriculum
Fall Semester: September - March
- BLOCK 1: DIGITAL DISCOVERY & SAFE EXPLORATION
- Week 1 (10/27/2025-10/31/2025): What is AI? Introduction to Technology
- Week 2 (11/03/2025-11/07/2025): Digital Citizenship & Online Safety
- Week 3 (11/10/2025-11/14/2025): Introduction to Visual Programming
- Week 4 (11/17/2025-11/21/2025): Computer Systems & How Technology Works
- BLOCK 2: COMPUTATIONAL THINKING & DATA FUNDAMENTALS
- Week 5 (12/01/2025-12/05/2025): Problem Solving with Technology
- Week 6 (12/08/2025-12/12/2025): Data and Information
- Week 7 (12/15/2025-12/19/2025): Introduction to Robotics
- Week 8 (12/22/2025-12/26/2025): Internet & Networks
- BLOCK 3: MACHINE LEARNING ADVENTURES
- Week 9 (01/13/2026-01/17/2026): How Computers Learn – Machine Learning Basics
- Week 10 (01/20/2026-01/24/2026): Image Recognition and Computer Vision
- Week 11 (01/27/2026-01/31/2026): Voice and Language Technology
- Week 12 (02/03/2026-02/07/2026): Artificial Intelligence in Action
- BLOCK 4: SMART SYSTEMS & CREATIVE CODING
- Week 13 (02/10/2026-02/14/2026): Smart Robots and Automation
- Week 14 (02/17/2026-02/21/2026): Games and AI
- Week 15 (02/24/2026-02/28/2026): AI Helpers in Daily Life
- Week 16 (03/03/2026-03/07/2026): Creative Technology & Digital Art
Spring Semester: April - May
- BLOCK 5: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP & TECH ETHICS
- Week 17 (03/10/2026-03/14/2026): Technology and Society
- Week 18 (03/17/2026-03/21/2026): Fair and Unfair AI
- Week 19 (03/24/2026-03/28/2026): Privacy and Personal Information
- Week 20 (03/31/2026-04/04/2026): Digital Media Literacy
- BLOCK 6: CAREER EXPLORATION & ADVANCED PROJECTS
- Week 21 (04/07/2026-04/11/2026): Technology Jobs and Careers
- Week 22 (04/14/2026-04/18/2026): Advanced Programming Projects
- Week 23 (04/21/2026-04/25/2026): Communication and Presentation Skills
- Week 24 (04/28/2026-05/02/2026): Collaborative Technology Projects
- BLOCK 7: INNOVATION & FUTURE THINKING
- Week 25 (05/05/2026-05/09/2026): Future Technology
- Week 26 (05/12/2026-05/16/2026): Final Project Planning
- Week 27 (05/19/2026-05/23/2026): Final Project Creation
- Week 28 (05/26/2026-05/30/2026): Presentations and Reflection
What fee-for-service programs do you offer?
We offer the following programs for Middle and High School students:
Summer Programs (June–August):
- Middle School Summer STEM Academy (MS-SSA) – TPI STEM Innovation Lab
Afterschool Programs (September–May):
- Middle School Afterschool STEM Academy (MS-ASA)
- High School Afterschool STEM Academy (HS-ASA)
What are the dates and hours of the summer programs?
Both summer programs run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, from June through August.
What topics do the programs cover?
Our programs are designed to provide students with hands-on, interdisciplinary exposure to some of the most exciting and in-demand fields in STEM. Participants explore a wide range of subjects including bioengineering, robotics, health science and medicine, coding, 3D modeling and design, and general engineering concepts. High school students, in particular, benefit from immersive research lab experiences that simulate real-world scientific inquiry and innovation. These topics are woven into both the summer and afterschool curricula, offering students opportunities to build foundational knowledge, apply problem-solving skills, and develop their interests through practical, project-based learning.
Where are the programs held?
Our high school summer and after-school programs take place at the real research lab environment, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with advanced research tools and a real-world lab environment.
Middle school programs, both summer and after-school, are hosted at the TPI STEM Innovation Lab at 89 South Street LL00, Boston, MA 02111, a dedicated space designed to foster creativity, hands-on experimentation, and foundational STEM learning. Each location is thoughtfully chosen to align with the
What’s the format of the afterschool program?
Each week includes:
For Middle Schools
- One 1-hour virtual class on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (4:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
- One in-person session on Saturday (1.5 hrs for hands-on experiments).
What is the cost of each program?
- MS Summer STEM Academy: $699/week
- MS Afterschool Program: $350/month or $75/week
- HS Afterschool Program: $450/month or $100/week
Are discounts available?
Yes! We offer several discount options to make our programs more accessible for families. For our summer programs, families can take advantage of a 10% Early Bird Discount, a 10% discount for the first sibling, and a 20% discount for the second sibling. For after-school programs, students who register for a full term receive one week free, and those same full-term registrants also qualify for 10% off any summer program tuition. These discounts are designed to support families with multiple children and those planning ahead for the full academic or summer term.
Summer Programs:
- 10% Early Bird Discount
- 10% Discount for the First Sibling
- 20% Discount for the Second Sibling
Afterschool Programs:
- Register for a full term and receive one week free
- Full-term registration qualifies for 10% off summer program tuition
How do I register my child?
You can register through our website (link coming soon) or by emailing us at [email protected].
Is a deposit required?
Yes, a deposit is required to reserve a spot and is applied toward total tuition.
What are your payment policies and deadlines?
Full tuition for all summer programs is due by May 25, 2025. For families who register after this date, payment must be made in full within two weeks of submitting the deposit, or no later than the program’s start date—whichever comes first. It’s important to note that late payments may result in the forfeiture of the student’s place in the program, and in such cases, the deposit becomes non-refundable. We strongly encourage families to adhere to these deadlines to secure their child’s enrollment and avoid any disruptions.
What is your refund policy?
Our refund policy is designed to provide flexibility while ensuring we can effectively plan and staff our programs. Deposits are fully refundable if requested within seven days of payment and before May 25. After May 25, deposits are only refundable within 72 hours of payment. Once the program has begun, no refunds will be issued under any circumstances. However, in the event of a documented illness or injury that prevents participation, partial refunds may be considered on a case-by-case basis—though the deposit will remain non-refundable. We recommend reaching out as early as possible if changes to your child’s enrollment are needed.
Can I transfer my payment to another program?
Yes, as long as space is available, and the new program is of equal or greater value. Transfers aren’t available for competitive-admissions programs.
How are students expected to behave and treat others in the program?
Students must treat all fellow students and staff members with respect and kindness and no pranks are not permitted during the program. Students must not engage in disruptive behavior and are expected to participate respectfully. No. Bullying, teasing, cursing, or using inappropriate language is strictly prohibited.
What safety rules should students follow?
Students must avoid risky behavior and keep themselves and others safe at all times.
Can students bring weapons to the program?
No. Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives, are strictly prohibited.
Are there internet and social media guidelines?
Yes. Students must follow the program’s internet, cell phone, social media, and blogging policies.
What happens if a student breaks the rules?
Consequences may include: being excluded from specific activities, and immediate parent/guardian pickup
Is media consent required?
Yes. By enrolling, students and guardians’ consent to the use of photos, video, and written evaluations for publication by The Pathway Initiative Inc.
How do students and guardians confirm agreement?
By signing the code of conduct, students and guardians acknowledge they have read and agreed to all terms and conditions.
Who can I contact if I have more questions or need help with registration?
If you have any additional questions, need assistance with the registration process, or would like help selecting the right program for your child, our team is here to help. You can reach us at [email protected], and we’ll respond promptly to ensure you have all the information you need to make the best choice for your family.