Bridging Schools

Bridging Youth plans to include the following three studies: 

(1) Bridging Schools (interviews with pupils, parents and teachers) 

(2) Bridging Transitions: Connecting Families, Clubs, Universities and Generations 

(3) Bridging the Digital 

The Bridging Schools research explores what helps and hinders learning for children in school (primary/elementary, secondary/middle and high schools). The study considers different views in relation to the benefits and skills (cognitive, social and emotional) developed through learning bridge.

Project Summary

Focus groups and individual interviews will be conducted with teachers (school teachers and bridge teachers who teach children), pupils and parents to explore different perspectives in relation to the skills gained through bridge. Case studies of teaching bridge to children will include the Scotland, England, Norway, Denmark and the USA) and digital bridge youth programmes (such as BridgeWhiz in the USA and UK).

Davenport Fund

Levine Family Foundation

Milosheva, M. and Punch, S. (2025) The Landscape of Youth Bridge in Scotland: Requirements, barriers, and success strategies of school bridge implementation, BAMSA Report: University of Stirling.

Milosheva, M., Punch, S. and Harding, M. (2024) Norwegian Pupils’ Attitudes towards Bridge and Mindsport Education, BAMSA Report: University of Stirling.

Milosheva, M. and Punch, S. (2024) Youth Bridge in the UK: A scoping study of young people’s experiences of learning bridge and bridge teachers’ approaches to teaching bridge, BAMSA Report: University of Stirling.

Rushworth, M. (2024) Denmark Good Practice Guide: Teaching bridge to youth in schools and clubs, BAMSA Report: University of Stirling.

BAMSA (2021) School and Youth Bridge: Engaging and Retaining Learners, 4^th International Bridge Conference, Bridging Academia, Policy and Practice, 1 July 2021, University of Stirling.

BAMSA (2021) Gender, Age and Intergenerationality, 4^th International Bridge Conference, Bridging Academia, Policy and Practice, 30 June 2021, University of Stirling.

Punch, S. (2022) Bridge Research in Schools: Promoting Mindsport Education, Paper presented at American Bridge Teachers’ Association (ABTA), July 2022, Providence, USA.

Rushworth, M. (2023) Conference Key Themes, RealBridge & BAMSA Teacher and Coach Conference, Online 7-8 October 2023.

Rushworth, M. (2023) Summary of Conference Presentations, RealBridge & BAMSA Teacher and Coach Conference, Online 7-8 October 2023.  For videos and slides of presentations see https://realbridge.online/teacher-coach-conference-2023-directory/

Punch, S. and Milosheva, M. (2024) BAMSA Stakeholders, Open Access Government.

BAMSA (2024) Youth Advisory Groups: Co-creation of Research Project, BAMSA Partners: University of Stirling.

BBC Radio Scotland interview with Prof Samantha Punch about the benefits of bridge for youth players

Bridge, Youth, and Mindsport Education – BAMSA Project Information

BAMSA Background and Credentials

Mindsport Education in Schools – Further Information for PhD Studentship