The mission of BEAM is to help students from low-income and historically marginalized communities with talent in math enter a realistic pathway towards becoming scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and programmers. Led by staff with these same technical backgrounds, BEAM believes that pathways to STEM careers are created through access to advanced work that typically lies outside most school curricula. Hence, we work to transition our students to the same enrichment programs as more affluent students typically access.

BEAM's model provides continuous support from middle school through college graduation, including intense academic summer programs for middle school students (after 6th and 7th grade), weekend classes and mentoring, and STEM-focused support to enrolled college students. Our program includes not just access to learning advanced math but also support finding and applying to other opportunities, including college admissions and financial aid. In addition to our academic content, bringing students into an intellectual community is a key part of our mission and all of our work is designed around that goal.

BEAM has grown from a small summer program serving 17 students in the summer of 2011 to a year-round, national program, serving 420+ students in summer 2021 at six program sites and 600+ students in year-round programming in New York City and Los Angeles this school year. In addition, our growing BEAM National program kicks off 2021 with our first ever elementary pilot program, working with schools in California, Michigan, New York, and Tennessee to expand BEAM’s programming and our students’ potential. BEAM's work has been featured in the New York Times and the Atlantic. The Times article, in particular, is a good description of the experience for students. You may also find it helpful to view our most recent annual report.