OUR PROGRAMS
OUR PROGRAMS

In 2022, BSF enhanced K-12 educational experiences with programs, activities, and financial support. We reached students in independent, public, and public charter schools through in-person and virtual programs.

Students were placed in learning programs during school terms and summer breaks to lessen the financial burden on families. BSF engaged with high school students through DC's youth employment programs and consistently collaborated with non-profits and businesses to foster STEM education and youth development.

Over 5000 Students

Received from students, parents, and guardians.

90 DMV Shools

Schools Reached in the DMV Region

> $10,000

High school students earned employment programs

Group of students signing up for volunteer opportunities, reflecting community involvement and teamwork.

Unleashing STEM Potential

Application Opens December 1, 2023
STEM Themes

BSF's Math an' Coding program is a transformative initiative born from the success of our Videogame Institute (VGI). Our goal is to address the underrepresentation of persons of color in STEM fields by providing comprehensive education and exposure.

Illustration of a human brain, representing cognitive functions and mental processes.

Performance Matters

Why Math Matters

Mathematics is the cornerstone of STEM, reaching far beyond traditional equations. It's a vital tool utilized in various domains, including:

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Chemistry, Biology, Medical Research, and Artificial Intelligence.

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Engineering, Accounting, and Finance

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Social Sciences: Social Work, Education, and International Studies

Are you ready to be a part of the BSF STEM movement? 🖥️

Together, we can redefine STEM education and unlock the potential of every young mind.

Register

Program Themes

BSF STEM offers three distinct program themes that cater to diverse interests and aspirations:

MathematicsDive into the world of numbers, logic, and problem-solving. Develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts that form the foundation of various STEM disciplines.

Coding and ComputingExplore the art of coding and its applications. From software development to app creation, empower yourself with the skills to shape the digital landscape.

STEM Career AwarenessUncover the exciting array of opportunities within STEM fields. Gain insights into potential career paths, empowering you to make informed decisions about your future.

Headshot of a STEM teacher, representing expertise and dedication in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Patriots STEM Career Camp
BSF Conchita Poole Math Circle
Coding
MATHCOUNTS

July 7 to August 16 at
Patriots Technology Training Center in
Seat Pleasant. Learn more here.

This summer, Patriots Technology Training Center (Patriots), working with BSF, will offer fifty students outstanding FREE summer programming that will expose Prince George’s middle schoolers to some of the most important STEM fields. The fields include Coding/Programming, Aerospace/Aviation, Video Production, Bio-Medical, STEM Careers in Video Games, & AI/Cyber Security.

Generative AI-rendered cityscape at sunset using Twinmotion, displaying the prominence of modern architecture in an urban environment.

What's Twinmotion?

Twinmotion is a visualization tool that utilizes Unreal Engine, developed by Epic Games, to create high-quality images, panoramas, fly-throughs, and animations of individuals, objects, products, buildings, cities, and landscapes with ease and speed.

Twinmotion's Benefits for Young Professionals

Twinmotion serves as a versatile tool used by professionals across industries. Architects and designers bring concepts to life while scientists use it for accurate data visualization. Our students benefit from an accessible platform to explore and create, allowing them to experiment with various elements, colors, and structures. With its adaptability and user-friendly interface, Twinmotion proves indispensable for fostering innovation and success among individuals from diverse fields.

Students engaged in learning Twinmotion on computers, focusing on modern architectural design and visualization.

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Unlocking Creative Possibilities with Twinmotion

How does Twinmotion empower BSF students to explore new realms of creativity?

Animation for beginners in Twinmotion.
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Animation

Twinmotion lets you add motion and interaction to your visuals, making it easier to communicate complex concepts and create engaging virtual experiences and create fun virtual experiences that everyone can enjoy.

Getting started with Twinmotion.
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Rendering

Twinmotion's rendering features enable users to transform their designs into stunningly realistic images that showcase intricate details and elevate their concepts.

Math enrichment is a core component of BSF STEM. We offer a diverse range of math learning tools and programs to enhance students' mathematical skills and understanding.

Scene depicting game development, featuring graphics design, coding, and interactive gaming elements.

Math Enrichment Progams

Our unique approach ensures a structured progression for our students:

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Functional Programming We guide our students through the fundamentals of coding, enabling them to master functional programming concepts.

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Advancing to Game DevelopmentAfter establishing a foundation, we guide students into developing video games, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on experience.

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Balancing with SELWe prioritize both technical skills and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), promoting complete growth beyond coding.

Machine Learning Introduction

Discover the fascinating world of machine learning through our comprehensive program:

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Introduction to TensorFlow, NumPy, Matplotlib, and SciKitLearn.

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Explore the intersection of mathematics and AI.

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Develop a strong foundation in linear algebra, calculus, and statistics.

Display of machine learning applications being used on an iPad.

The Daniel Alexander Payne Community Development Corporation conducts a Girls Who Code program for middle and high school young women, i.e., who are age 8-14. The Black Student Fund works in collaboration with the CDC. You can get more information by contacting Ms. Cristol Primas (click here).

Scene depicting game development, featuring graphics design, coding, and interactive gaming elements.

The MANC Approach

Our unique approach ensures a structured progression for our students:

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Functional Programming We guide our students through the fundamentals of coding, enabling them to master functional programming concepts.

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Advancing to Game DevelopmentAfter establishing a foundation, we guide students into developing video games, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on experience.

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Balancing with SELWe prioritize both technical skills and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), promoting complete growth beyond coding.

Preparing for a Digital World

Our mission is not just about coding syntax. We aim to equip students with knowledge of software's capabilities and limitations and provide a moral compass to navigate the world of technology. Our focus is on:

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Moral BoundariesRecognizing what should not be designed or created, considering the implications of technology on humanity.

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Ethical DesignUnderstanding what furthers mankind and contributes positively to society.

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Where excellence in mathematics meets spirited competition. At the Conchita Poole Math Circle, we take pride in nurturing young mathematical minds and preparing them for exciting challenges. Let's dive into the highlights of our MathCounts journey in 2025.

The 2023 MathCounts National Student Video Competition

This year, we took the MathCounts National Student Video Competition by storm. Our dynamic team consisted of two middle school competition teams, each comprising four exceptional students. The teams, named
"Math Masters" and "Smarties," embraced the spirit of competition and camaraderie.

With veterans from last year's successful "Saints" team, they were ready to tackle any challenge that came their way.

1

Amy

2

Miles

3

Ethan

4

Laury

Team 1
Math Masters

These bright minds showcased their passion for problem-solving and mathematics.

1

Miles

2

Ciara

3

Jackson

4

Gabriel

Team 2
Smarties
This year, both teams handled algebra problems and presented their entries: A Baller Question and A Batch of Problems to Solve. Video entries are below.

The 2023 MathCounts National Student Video Competition

Team 1 Math competition screenshot.
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Team 1

Team 2 Math competition screenshot.
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Team 2

Envisioning a Greener 🌱Tomorrow.

The Sustainable Solutions Summit challenges high school students from the Greater Washington area to develop sustainable business solutions for a brighter future. The event concludes with a pitch presentation to environmental and business leaders.
The 2025 Summit's dates are June 23 through June 27 daily at 9 AM through 4 PM, at the Courtyard by Marriott Bethesda/Chevy Chase (5520 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD).

Sustainable Solutions Summit Logo
Pic of Attendees of 2023 Sustainable Solutions Summit. Program with Forbright Bank, a BSF partner.

Contributor

The BSF Scholarship Club is an information service that includes workshops, advising, and scholarship sources. BSF posts  scholarships daily on our Facebook site. Club  members can access  BSF scholarships list.

If you wish to join the Scholarship Club, please contact us by email.

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SAT Test Prep 2024

Standardized testing is a controversial but de rigueur component of education in the US. We offer PSAT/SAT test preparation services and focus on strengthening vocabulary as well as test preparation for reading, writing, language, and math. On November 29, at 10 am, BSF will offer insights into the SAT and an opportunity to sit for a full practice exam. The session will be at BSF's offices at 3636 16th St., NW on the S2/S9 bus line.

Register Here
Year
Spring
Summer
Fall
Practice
2024
Up to 400
Up to 500
Up to 400
Upto 500
Up to 600
Up to 400
Upto 500
Up to 600
Above 600
Subjects: All
Dates: Nov 29
2025
All Math Lexiles
All Math Lexiles
All Math Lexiles
Subjects: TBD
Dates: TBD
Year
SPRING
SUMMER
SUMMER
CRUNCH
2023
Up to 400
Up to 500
Up to 400
Up to 500
Up to 600
Up to 400
Up to 500
Up to 600
Above 600
Subjects: TBD
Dates: TBD
2024
All Math Lexiles
All Math Lexiles
All Math Lexiles
Subjects: TBD
Dates: TBD

Find your inner writer🚀

BSF and Esther Productions are collaborating on Midnight Rose's Young Writers Showcase.

Midnight Rose: A Reading Series of Poetry and Prose

On January 11, 2025, Midnight Rose will present Young Writers Showcase, which provides an opportunity for young writers to read their self-written poetry or prose.  INTERESTED? THE BLACK STUDENT FUND IS SELECTING UP TO 10 POETS WHO ATTEND HIGH SCHOOL IN THE DMV TO SHOWCASE.  Send up to eight poems for consideration; only one poem per page in 12 pt font or send two short stories of not more than 2,000 words each. The stories should be in 12 pt font and double-spaced.

Send your poetry or prose to lnesbitt@Blackstudentfund.org SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS midnight DECEMBER 1, 2024. No poems or short stories will be considered after the deadline.

Interested in more information about Young Writers Showcase or more generally, about Midnight Rose: A Reading Series of Poetry and Prose? Use the link below or go to Esther Productions (button below).
mail@blackstudentfund.org

Esther Productions, Inc.

Our Parents' Testimonials

Looking for info on our iD Tech programming? Here are BSF Parents' Testimonials

I had a great experience with the ID Tech virtual camps and would highly encourage other students to participate in them. I loved the class’s style in terms of having a lecture as well as the opportunity for hands-on learning and being able to code myself. I hope to be able to continue my learning in both Python and C++ and am very grateful for the opportunity to participate this summer.
Our daughter participated in the iD tech coding class, she had about 4 other students in the class. She was highly engaged. She not only learned to code but also was exposed to Salesforce, we would DEFINITELY participate again.
As a parent we always want to give our children not only the things we didn’t have growing up but also the knowledge we didn’t possess.  Since I am not able to write in programming code, iD Tech has been a tremendous asset to my family.  My daughter has gone from a beginner in programming to an experienced coder.  The one-on-one tutoring lessons have been of great assistance in helping her learn how to code and analyze in an intimate environment.  Each tutor she has worked with has been extremely knowledgeable and patient with her.  I also love the fact that the tutors are young adults.  This allows my daughter to see herself within them.  She is able to see other motivated young people working towards accomplishing goals.  I saw the improvement after her first lesson.  I highly recommend the tutoring sessions. Even just signing up for one hour of tutoring can make a world of difference.
My son attended an iD Tech class about entrepreneurship. He learned how to turn a passion into a business opportunity.
I would first start by saying, that it could not have been more beneficial for children during these most difficult times with the pandemic. It was such an outlet for their mental health freedom. My daughter was able to learn about independence and self motivation on completing her work of creating a Roblox Obby. Given the opportunity again we would most definitely like to participate again. Thanks id Tech.
Our daughter participated in the iD tech coding class, she had about 4 other students in the class. She was highly engaged. She not only learned to code but also was exposed to Salesforce, we would DEFINITELY participate again.

Our team ⛳

These are the people behind the templates that you love and use everyday. Get to know them.

I would first start by saying, that it could not have been more beneficial for children during these most difficult times with the pandemic. It was such an outlet for their mental health freedom. My daughter was able to learn about independence and self motivation on completing her work of creating a Roblox Obby. Given the opportunity again we would most definitely like to participate again. Thanks id Tech.