The SYMI Academy (STEAMulating Young Minds Imagination by BOYS, Inc.) will strongly support the mission of the Bridgeport Public Schools. The SYMI Academy practices project-based learning where student learning comes alive and are “college-ready,” as phrased in the Bridgeport Public Schools mission statement. Current participants in The SYMI Academy programs learn by building, creating, investigating, analyzing, designing, and engineering. Learning by doing, provides a reason to learn and the opportunity to apply the acquired skill and knowledge in meaningful ways. The SYMI Academy Program(s): After-School, Saturday Academy and Summer Camp will succeed as a result of strategic planning, appropriate grouping, and thoughtful structure.
Organization Overview
The SYMI Academy (STEAMulating Young Minds Imagination by BOYS, Inc.) is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization determined to ignite the intellectual qualities of young scholars by providing school-aged girls and boys vital exposure to preparatory education and non-traditional athletic resources. Our collective goal of utilizing and transforming facilities across the City of Bridgeport (CT) and surrounding districts “ensures every school-aged scholar has safe and supervised year-round multi-service educational, recreational and character-building activities, where he or she will be exposed to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) disciplines. The SYMI Academy runs on three progressive conduits: Academics, Athletics and Mentorship and provides enriching programs: After School, Saturday Academy, Summer Camp, Mentoring and Leadership programs for boys’ and girls’ grades K-12.
Mission Statement
To empower disadvantaged scholars to reach their highest potential and attain academic excellence by forming community partnerships, collaborating with regional colleges and universities, public, private and charter schools, libraries, youth based organizations, and churches.
Vision and purpose
We are committed to improving the lives of our scholar-athletes by providing quality services, programs and activities that earns the trust and builds lifetime relationships within our community; while empowering even our most disadvantaged scholars to reach their highest potential to attain academic and athletic excellence. The SYMI Academy (STEAMulaing Young Minds Imagination by BOYS, Inc.), Inc. is determined to ignite the intellectual qualities of young scholars and provide exposure to preparatory education. We will drive our mission through community partnerships and collaboration with the collective goal to utilize and transform multiple facilities across the City of Bridgeport and surrounding districts, which will “ensure every school aged boy and girl with safe and supervised year-round multi-service educational, recreational and character-building activities where our scholars will be exposed to the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) disciplines while working with educational instructors” in After-School, Saturday Academy, Summer Camp, Mentorship and Leadership development programs to prepare scholars to achieve professionally and personally resulting in developed ‘talent’ to change lives.
Program Objectives
To strengthen academic skills; primarily numeracy and literacy as related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics).
To provide engaging STEAM learning experiences and demonstrates the relationship between STEAM and related professions.
To create a clear understanding of the relevance and application of discrete math and science skills in real-world applications.
To empower scholars to take control of and be responsible for their academic success.
To engage scholars in a great variety of non-traditional sports activities, namely Rugby, Cross Country, Track and Field, and Squash.
Shawn D. Byrd Executive Director
A Bridgeport native and Social Entrepreneur, Shawn D. Byrd is the Founder and Executive Director of The SYMI Academy. Shawn decided to champion the cause of community youth after witnessing years of violence and conflict and its’ direct effect on the lives of the community’s greatest hope and most vital resource; young people. Over the past two decades, Shawn has been a dedicated Mentor, Counselor, Coach and Program Director.
As Executive Director of The SYMI Academy, Shawn oversees all aspects of the day-to-day operations and is responsible for cultivating long-term strategic partnerships and donor relationships to increase The SYMI Academy effectiveness serving unmet needs. The SYMI Academy is focused on expanding quality services, activities and programs; building trust and lifetime relationships; and ensuring a positive impact in the community. Shawn’s previous technology-sector executive management, sales, and marketing experience will enable him to best lead the charge toward the successful execution of The SYMI Academy’s goals and objectives while his extensive experience working directly with youth as a Mentor, Football and Baseball Coach, allows him to be a trusted guide toward success!
