Learn and Teach
Our Brown Scholars program is a new 3-year intensive focused on the intersection of computer science and science. It is tuition-free thanks to a generous grant from the Helen Gurley Brown Trust.
- 120 hours of coursework across 3 classes: Intro to Programming, Intro to Databases, Intro to Data Visualization
- The coursework is offered in an after-school format: two afternoons a week, 4:30-6:30 pm, October – June OR in a summer format: 5 days a week, 10 am – 4 pm for 6 weeks (July – August)
- A 9-month paid internship in either computational research or applied computer programming within a division at AMNH.
- Interns will work on a team of 2-3 Brown Scholars under the mentorship of a post-bacc Helen Fellow.
- Internships run two afternoons a week, 4:30 – 6:30 pm, September – May and culminate with presentations in the Spring.
- College and career colloquium: a series of field trips and workshops focused on the varied academic and professional opportunities in the world of computer science.
- Field trips and workshops will be held twice a month on Friday afternoons, September – May.
Girls who successfully complete the 120 hours of coursework are eligible for the second component:
Girls who successfully complete the internship are eligible for the third component:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is the Brown Scholars program for?
Girls may complete coursework during their 9th or 10th grade year OR the summer following their 9th or 10th grade year. We are unable to make exceptions to this grade requirement.
What material does the coursework cover?
You will learn to code in Python, work on real scientific data sets, and learn how data science and data visualization are important tools for scientists in all fields. You will learn about algorithms and databases while digging deep into astrophysics, biology, anthropology, and more. No coding experience necessary – we’ll start from the beginning!
How do I Apply?
The application process includes: an online application including short essay questions, one letter of recommendation from a teacher or adult, a copy of your most recent transcript/report card.
Selected applicants will be invited in for an in-person interview. Final admission decisions will be made following the interviews.
This program is incredibly competitive, and we are unable to accept all qualified applicants.
I don’t live in New York City. Can I still apply?
The Brown Scholars program is only available for students in the greater NYC area. You do not need to attend an NYC public school to apply, but you must be able to attend classes in person. Priority is given to students who are interested and able to complete all 3 components of the program.
I’m interested in the Brown Scholars Program and SRMP at AMNH. Can I apply to both?
Students who are accepted to the Brown Scholars Program are NOT eligible to apply for After School Program Research Courses (which are prerequisites for the Science Research Mentoring Program). Students are, however, eligible to apply for ASP Exploratory courses.
Still have Questions?
Email bridgeup@amnh.org