Nitsch Engineering is excited to participate once again in the annual Boston Public Schools (BPS) Externship Program for 2025! The BPS Externship Program provides an opportunity for BPS teachers to connect directly with STEM professionals through a two-week course focused on the AEC industry and, most recently, in the context of sustainable design and green building methods.
Nitsch has been actively involved in this Boston Public Schools-led workforce development program since its inception in 2019 – alongside Autodesk, Elkus Manfredi Architects, and Gilbane Construction Company. The externship was created as the result of a brainstorming session held by the United Way, which Nitsch participated in, to discuss STEM education opportunities within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Six years later, Nitsch remains an engaged and enthusiastic contributor to this valuable program that helps teachers (“externs”) gain insights that they can share with their students.
During the first week of the course, externs have a chance to visit the offices of each participating firm to learn more about their respective sectors of the industry and gain insight into the work they do on a daily basis. The second week of the course involves externs working on various projects relevant to what they’ve learned the previous week, as well as a concluding presentation by the externs. Externs leave the program with foundational knowledge related to STEM and the AEC industry that can be implemented into their curricula and enrich their students who may be interested in pursuing a STEM-related career. It also allows the teachers involved in the program to expand their own professional networks and engage with industry professionals beyond the externship.
“Programs like the BPS Externship Program are an excellent opportunity to provide insight to both teachers and students about what careers are out there and a path to get to those careers through education, effort, and excitement,” said Gary Pease, Vice President and Director of Client Services at Nitsch. “It highlights a career path for BPS students to look forward to and keeps them engaged with their math and science work in school.”