Future Innovators to Present Community Solutions at RAMP Showcase

For 48 incoming Wentworth Institute of Technology students, this summer has been less about vacation and more about building a future. They’ve raced custom-coded robots, taken apart and reassembled small engines, and toured some of the region’s top tech and construction firms.  

The hands-on experience is part of RAMP, Wentworth’s long-standing summer bridge program designed to give local students a powerful head start in STEM fields. 

Now, after seven weeks of hard work, these students are preparing to present innovative solutions for local community challenges at the RAMP 2025 Final Showcase on Thursday, August 7th. 

The program is in its 15th year and, for nearly 450 students, has provided a critical transition from high school to the rigors of a technology-focused university. RAMP is a paid opportunity, providing students with a stipend of over $3000 and a T-pass, removing financial barriers to participation. Sponsored by the Division for Inclusive Excellence, it specifically serves incoming Wentworth students from the Greater Boston area. 

One of the program’s directors, Kate Stutz, is especially excited for this year’s showcase. 

“Students are bringing their passion and personal investment to these projects,” she said, “focusing on issues that affect their daily lives—gentrification, community connectedness, climate change, and food security.” 

This year's RAMP journey began by welcoming a cohort so large that program alumni were called upon to serve as mentors. Students were immediately immersed in hands-on projects through “How to Make Almost Anything” workshops, which highlight academic areas of study at Wentworth such as building and design, mechanical engineering, computer science, and laboratory science. 

A key component of the program is connecting classroom skills to real-world careers. This summer, students went on site visits to six major industry partners: Teradyne, Turner Construction Company, J.C. Cannistraro, LLC, Dewpoint Therapeutics, Acquia, and Feldman Geospatial. These visits provide more than just a tour; they offer exposure to next-generation careers and create a direct line to professionals, a connection that has led past RAMP participants to co-ops and full-time jobs. 

The program's core, however, is its focus on community-based problem-solving. Student teams were paired with four local organizations to tackle complex, real-world challenges. This year’s partners include Reclaim Roxbury, The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Fenway Victory Gardens, and The Fenway Community Center. The support of the Cummings Foundation, The Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, and the Webster Foundation has been instrumental in making this community-engaged work possible. 

The students’ efforts will culminate in the Final Showcase, where they will present their project prototypes and findings. Attendees will learn how the teams addressed their respective community challenges and will also have the opportunity to vote for the best project. 

The RAMP 2025 Final Showcase is free and open to the public. It will take place on Thursday, August 7th from 4:00-6:00pm in Tudbury Hall. Those interested in attending can register online. 

Above: Images of RAMP students from this summer during site visits and taking part in How to Make Almost Anything sessions, and