Skip to main content

Our Flagship Program- Young Experts Program (YEP)

The Young Expert Program (Badges) is a highly personalized, capstone learning model that invites high school students (both individuals enrolled at Bridges Academy and individuals enrolled as a one-off course through their own institutions) to deeply explore a chosen topic as they develop skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and other vital areas. The role of technology as a platform for practicing and applying these skills is paramount, as using technology effectively and productively is a requisite skill in the modern world.

The scope of all badge work involves explicit interdisciplinary awareness resulting in a thorough, expert-level coverage of their topic and/or area of exploration. Students who demonstrate a disciplinary expertise through concentrated work in a field-related badge may earn a formal honors credit and certification as a “Young Expert” in the field.

Hear From Our Young Experts

Student Driven
Passion to Purpose

Executive Function
Support Built In

Authentic Audience &
Real World Outcomes

What It Is?

What:

A structured pathway that helps students build expertise in a self-selected domain.

How:

Inquiry, coaching, mentorship, supported milestones, and reflection.

Outcome:

Authentic, real-world products that allow students to demonstrate expertise, strengthening post-secondary opportunities aligned with their strengths and interests.

What Makes a Young Expert?

Our Young Experts:
Each student is guided by dedicated coaches and mentors who specialize in their field of interest, supporting the development of deep expertise over the course of the school year.

Recent graduates have completed their Badges in a wide variety of fields. Three such examples include:

A student found his true calling as a storyteller through his projects in YEP, and infuses his creative work with his other passions, psychology and therapy, so the thematic content of his work is helpful to humanity and inspires others. Through YEP, he also birthed a production company for film, TV and animated series with his collaborators.

Another student has been on an epic journey to achieve a masters-level understanding of literature before leaving high school. The student worked with many high level professionals in the field, has been invited to speak at professional writers’ events, and has even used their work with YEP to help get a portion of his first creative writing work published in a professional anthology of stories that is publicly available for sale on Amazon.

A student who is passionate and committed to pursuing dance at the highest level applied to a prestigious dance conservatory in Pittsburgh, was accepted, and moved there to study. He can now pursue dance at a college/semi-professional level in high school while continuing to study at Bridges through our virtual high school, Bridges Academy Online

    Fields of Study & Impact

    Through their projects, students often create work that is published, performed, or shared with wider communities, demonstrating the real-world impact of their learning.

    Bring the Young Experts Program
    to your school!

    Interested in bringing the Young Experts Program (YEP) to your school or offering the Young Experts experience to an individual student through the Bridges Academy Online course?

    The Young Experts Program can help schools create a meaningful structure for high school students to explore their strengths, develop real-world skills, and produce work connected to their interests and future goals. Schools may inquire about bringing the Young Experts Program to their campus as a school-wide implementation program, while families or schools may also explore a one-time Young Experts course through Bridges Academy Online for an individual student or small group.

    Complete the inquiry form below to tell us more about your student, school, goals, and timeline, and a member of the 2e Center team will follow up to start the conversation.

    Get Started
    Graduates of the program have explored diverse areas, including:
    • Arts & Performance
    • Storytelling & Media
    • Advanced Research
    • Interdisciplinary Projects
    Subscribe to our newsletter for free!
    Stay informed with the latest news, insights, and resources for supporting twice-exceptional learners. Sign up for the 2e Center newsletter today!