WHY BROOKLYN BOATWORKS
Opportunity early can change what comes next.
Young people begin forming ideas about what interests them, what they’re good at, and what they might become long before college.
THE CHALLENGE
Too many young people don’t get the opportunities they need.
Across New York City, many middle school students—especially those from under-resourced communities—lack access to the hands-on learning experiences that can spark curiosity, build confidence, and open doors to future opportunities.
More than 1 in 3 eighth graders do not demonstrate the foundational science knowledge and skills measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Only 14% of students regularly participate in hands-on, inquiry-based science activities such as experiments, design challenges, or
building projects.
WHY BOATBUILDING?
Because creating something complex with your own hands, changes what you believe you can do.
Boatbuilding is hands-on, challenging, and collaborative. Students work from plans, use real tools, solve real problems, make mistakes, and try again. And after months of work, what they’ve built has to do something very real: It has to float.
STUDENTS DISCOVER WHAT’S POSSIBLE
Hands-on learning opens doors.
Among Brooklyn Boatworks participants, the percentage of students reporting a sense of belonging in STEM grew from 67% to 86% in 2025.
Research shows that young people who participate in out-of-school STEM programs like Brooklyn Boatworks are three times more likely to pursue STEM coursework and careers.
SEE OUR IMPACT
What happens when opportunity becomes experience?
Explore how Brooklyn Boatworks students build skills, grow in confidence, and discover new possibilities for themselves.