Programs
At BTS, our core programming consists of three key initiatives: Newton's Thinkers, Train-the-Trainer, and the Let's Get into Good Trouble Youth Leadership Conference. These programs are designed to empower students, cultivate leadership skills, and engage young people in meaningful academic and community-focused activities.
Newton's Thinkers
Newton’s Thinkers is BTS' flagship program, a dynamic, hands-on program emphasizing project-based learning, experiential learning, and targeted interventions. Through real-world challenges and interdisciplinary projects, students are encouraged to think critically, solve complex problems, and actively engage with their communities. The program integrates core subjects like STEM while also fostering personal growth through collaboration, leadership, and community engagement.
Key features of Newton’s Thinkers include:
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Project-Based Learning: Students tackle hands-on projects that challenge them to solve real-world problems using academic knowledge and creativity.
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Experiential Learning: Field trips, interactive labs, and community-based experiences bring academic concepts to life outside the classroom.
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Interventions & Support: Tailored academic interventions provide additional guidance and resources to help every student succeed.
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Interdisciplinary Approach: Projects span multiple subjects, helping students connect their learning to broader issues and opportunities.
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Community Focus: Students engage in projects that directly impact their local community, fostering civic responsibility and connection.
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Collaboration & Problem-Solving: Teamwork and communication are emphasized, promoting critical thinking and collective problem-solving.
Newton’s Thinkers equips students with academic and life skills, preparing them to thrive in their education and their communities.
A 21st Community Centers Learning Center (21st CCLC) program, Newton's Thinkers is currently offered out-of-school-time at four Prince George's County public schools:
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Beacon Heights Elementary Program Impact: Trimester 1
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Columbia Park Elementary Program Impact: Trimester 1
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District Heights Elementary Program Impact: Trimester 1
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Judge Woods Elementary Program Impact: Trimester 1
Train-the-Trainer
The Train-the-Trainer program equips students with leadership, communication, and mentorship skills by empowering them to teach and guide their peers and younger students. Participants gain hands-on experience delivering educational activities, developing essential teaching, collaboration, and workforce readiness skills.
This program emphasizes self-awareness, effective communication, resilience, and teamwork, preparing students for future careers and leadership roles. Through professional development and real-world application, participants build confidence and emerge as capable leaders ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Let's Get Into Good Trouble Youth Leadership Conference
The Let’s Get Into Good Trouble Youth Leadership Conference is a youth-led event designed by and for young leaders who are passionate about creating positive change in their communities. Inspired by the powerful words of civil rights leader John Lewis, who famously said, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble,” the conference encourages young people to take bold action for justice and equality.
Youth participants take the lead in every aspect of the conference, from planning to execution, ensuring the event speaks directly to their experiences, interests, and challenges. Through youth-driven workshops, keynote speakers, and collaborative projects, participants explore social justice, activism, and community service, learning how to become advocates for themselves and their peers.
The conference offers a unique opportunity for young people to own the conversations and initiatives that matter most to them. By the end, participants are not only inspired but equipped with the tools and confidence to make a lasting impact—continuing John Lewis’s legacy of "good trouble" in their communities and beyond.
