In the fall of 2008, the Salvadori Center was awarded a $1.14 million, 5-year grant by the National Science Foundation to initiate B.R.I.D.G.E.S [Build, Research, Invent, Design, Grow and Explore through Science], an after-school science education program for 8- to 12-year olds. B.R.I.D.G.E.S is run in partnership with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). 
Each 12-week B.R.I.D.G.E.S unit focuses on a fun and engaging topic, such as Bridges, Skyscrapers, Green Design and Skateparks. Much like the Center’s other programming, B.R.I.D.G.E.S uses the built environment as a means for students to explore architecture, structural engineering and science, while learning more about their own communities.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S sessions are co-taught by a Salvadori educator and a NYCHA instructor. Every year, as more sites are added, the Salvadori educators move on to teaching at new NYCHA centers, while the NYCHA instructors at the continuing locations transition into being the primary teacher—all with ongoing support and professional development from the Center. The impact of the program on its participants has been measured for the past two years by Youth Studies, Inc., an organization which provides evaluation through surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews.
By 2013, the Center plans to have the B.R.I.D.G.E.S program running in 25 NYCHA community centers. In addition, we are developing an after-school curriculum guide that will be distributed nationwide.
Check out videos about the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program on the NY1 and Gotham Schools websites!
Check out this terrific article on the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. experience from the point of view of volunteer engineer Justin Den Herder.
Click HERE to find out who we work with.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S Centers
Manhattan
- Jacob Riis
- King Towers
- Lehman Village
- Manhattanville
Brooklyn
- Brevoort
- Roosevelt
- Williamsburg
Queens
- Astoria
- Hammel
- Woodside
Bronx
- Butler
- Gun Hill
- Parkside
- Sotomayor
Staten Island
- South Beach
* Centers listed in bold are new sites added this year.
Interested in bringing Salvadori Center to your afterschool program? Our BRIDGES program is available either as a kit of parts and optional training, or as a program led by a Salvadori educator. The following topics are available: Bridges, Skyscrapers, Green Design, Skateparks, and Landmarks, Monuments & Memorials. Please contact thecenter@salvadori.org with BRIDGES in the subject line to find out more.
Download BRIDGES program descriptions and price list HERE.
