BRIDGE: STEM Workforce and Professional Development
Developing the STEM Workforce for Tomorrow
BRIDGE is a comprehensive service designed to cultivate STEM talent from K-12 education through college, professional development, and continuing education. By focusing on critical STEM fields such as Aviation, Additive Manufacturing, and Digital Capabilities, BRIDGE equips individuals with the skills and experiences necessary to tackle the most pressing challenges in defense and other industries.
Below is a breakdown of how BRIDGE builds critical skills at each phase:
1) Building Curiosity and Foundational Knowledge
Target Audience: K-12 Students
Programming Offered: Short Duration Summer Camps
Skills Developed:
• Foundational STEM knowledge in fields like Aviation, Additive Manufacturing, and Digital Capabilities.
• Problem-solving and creative thinking through hands-on activities.
• Early exposure to real-world applications of STEM principles.
How It Prepares Them for STEM Careers: By sparking curiosity and introducing students to the relevance of STEM in solving global challenges, BRIDGE inspires them to pursue further education and careers in STEM-related industries. Students gain confidence in their ability to innovate and explore new ideas.
2) Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Application
Target Audience: High School Students Transitioning to University
Programming Offered: Multi-week immersive programs
Skills Developed:
• Technical skills in areas like rapid prototyping, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and data visualization.
• Soft skills such as collaboration, communication, leadership, and financial literacy.
• Real-world readiness through exposure to professional environments and industry practices.
How It Prepares Them for STEM Careers: Participants gain hands-on experience that bridges classroom learning with real-world application. They leave the program with a deeper understanding of STEM principles, a network of mentors and peers, and the confidence to tackle complex challenges in defense and industry settings. Through partnership with local universities, students can earn college credit.
3) Applying Knowledge to Solve Real-World Problems
Target Audience: University Students
Programming Offered: Semester-long programs and University Challenges
Skills Developed:
• Critical thinking and problem-solving through tackling real-world challenges.
• Research, prototyping, and business modeling to develop innovative solutions.
• Teamwork and project management skills through interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Engineering and technical skills applied to communication challenges.
• Innovation and adaptability in emerging technologies like 5G, IoT, and satellite communication.
• Networking and collaboration with industry sponsors and mentors.
How It Prepares Them for STEM Careers: Semester-long programs allow students gain hands-on experience working on defense-related challenges, making them highly competitive in the job market. They build connections with industry leaders and potential employers while developing a portfolio of accomplishments that showcases their expertise.
University Challenges provide a competitive environment that fosters resilience and ingenuity, key traits for success in STEM careers. Participants gain recognition for their work, establish relationships with sponsors, and develop a strong foundation for future opportunities.
4) Refining Expertise and Staying Ahead of Industry Trends
Feel free to write us with any questions you may have about our service offerings! We will get in touch with you as soon as we can!
Contact Us!
Target Audience: Professionals in the Workforce
Programming Offered: Tailored training and upskilling sessions
Skills Developed:
• Advanced technical expertise and new methodologies for solving complex problems.
• Lifelong learning and adaptability to stay competitive in rapidly evolving STEM fields.
• Leadership and innovation skills to drive progress in their organizations.
How It Prepares Them for STEM Careers: Professionals gain the tools to tackle emerging challenges and lead innovation in their industries. By continuously upskilling, they remain at the forefront of STEM advancements and are better equipped to make meaningful contributions to their fields.
Value Proposition:
BRIDGE provides a structured, end-to-end solution for developing STEM talent across all stages of education and professional growth.
By focusing on skill-building, mentorship, and real-world application, BRIDGE ensures participants are prepared to excel in their careers and contribute to solving global challenges.
Learn More about Wright Brothers Institute
Our Team
At WBI, our world-class innovation processes begin with our incredible staff! Check out our team here.
What We Do
Learn more about the intricacies of “what WBI does” here.
Success Stories
Want to see some examples of our past work? Read our blog here!