STEM Coding Lab

06/01/2026

There are kids in Pittsburgh right now who have never touched a robot, written a line of code, or been told that computer science is for them.

That is exactly why STEM Coding Lab exists.

We bring computer science, AI, and STEM classes directly into K-8 schools in Allegheny County, where resources are stretched. No barriers. No prerequisites. Just curious kids and great teachers.

Follow along and see what happens when you put a robot in a child's hands.

05/28/2026

Nearly $4,000 raised. A fun night. And a community that continues to show up for youth in a big way.

The Raising the Bar for STEM Celebrity Bartending Fundraiser was everything we hoped it would be, and it happened because of so many amazing people.

Thank you to North Hills for the hospitality, the great food, and a staff that made everything run smoothly. Thank you to DJ-CJ for setting the tone and keeping guests on their feet all evening.

A special thank you to our celebrity bartenders, Illah Nourbakhsh, Tom Lauwers, Kenya Porter, and Emma Yourd, and to Jessi Marsh, our Champion Fundraiser of the night. Your generosity of time, energy, and network is what makes events like this possible. And, of course, a huge thanks goes out to our STEM Coding Lab team.

To everyone who attended, whether as a partner, supporter, or friend of STEM Coding Lab, your presence and your giving directly support young people's access to CS, AI, and STEM education.

05/28/2026

Kids who play video games. Kids who love animation. Kids who take things apart just to see how they work.

Those are your future colleagues, and right now, they have no idea your career exists.

STEM Coding Lab is inviting you into our CS Explorers summer program to change that. Come present, mentor, or join a panel. Share the work you do and watch a room full of kids light up.

Fill out our volunteer interest form and choose your session. https://stem-coding-lab.careerplug.com/jobs/3325439/apps/new

05/27/2026

We had such an incredible time at Remake Learning Days! If you stopped by our photo station, your photos are here. Tag yourself, save your favorites, and share the fun.

A huge thank you to every student, family, and everyone who came out and made the day so special. We loved seeing so many curious minds in action!

Stay tuned for more action from the day, including our robotics competition, scavenger hunt, and more!

05/22/2026

What if the app that changes the world is designed by a kid you haven't met yet?

This summer, we’re bringing Pittsburgh's most creative tech professionals into our CS Explorers program to show students what a career in tech actually looks like. Not a textbook version. The real thing.

Two hours. Lasting impact. Sign up today!

05/14/2026

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we are taking a moment to celebrate the incredible contributions AAPI individuals have made to STEM fields throughout history and today.

From pioneering computer scientists to groundbreaking engineers and innovators, AAPI leaders have helped shape the technology and digital world our students are growing up in. Their stories deserve to be celebrated, so they can inspire future generations.

Here are just a few of the trailblazers we celebrate:

- Reshma Saujani - founder of Girls Who Code
- Ajay Bhatt - Intel engineer who co-invented the USB
- Jawed Karim - software engineer and co-founder of YouTube

At STEM Coding Lab, we believe every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the world of technology. Representation matters in the classroom, in the workforce, and in the stories we share.

Who is an AAPI innovator in STEM that inspires you? Share their name in the comments!

05/12/2026

05/11/2026

We are excited to announce that Justin James has joined STEM Coding Lab as our new Vice President of Development.

Justin brings years of experience in educational advancement, most recently serving as a Major Gifts officer at the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business. In his new role, he will spearhead STEM Coding Lab’s s development strategy, including event planning, individual giving, corporate, foundation, and government support.

Please join us in welcoming Justin to the team!

05/07/2026

Illah R. Nourbakhsh is Kavcic-Moura Professor of Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University, inaugural Executive Director of the Center for Shared Prosperity, and co-director of the Community Robotics, Education and Technology Empowerment Lab. He was the Inaugural K&L Gates Professor of Ethics and Computational Technologies. He obtained his PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University. In 2009 the National Academy of Sciences named him a Kavli Fellow. In 2013 he was inducted into the June Harless West Virginia Hall of Fame. He was previously Robotics Group Lead for NASA/Ames during the MER landings, and is a retired civil servant, NASA GS15/10. In 2019 he was named a Hastings Fellow. He has co-authored textbooks and popular literature, including Turn Left, AI and Humanity, Robot Futures, and Parenting for Technology Futures. He has authored articles for The New Yorker and Foreign Affairs, in addition to academic journals and book chapters. He is a trustee of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Wi******er Thurston School and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project. He is a Director at Open Planet, a London-based Community Interest Corporation, and also President and a director at Friends of Open Planet, a 501(c)3 based in the United States.

Don't miss your chance to see Illah behind the bar! Get your tickets now at:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/raising-the-bar-for-stem--2026

05/07/2026

Last chance to grab your spot!

Some of Pittsburgh's most inspiring leaders are swapping their day jobs for cocktail shakers to support STEM Coding Lab's mission to bring digital literacy to K-8 students.

Join us for Raising the Bar for STEM tomorrow night. Every drink, every bite, and every raffle ticket supports K-8 digital literacy in our community. We will see you there!

Join us for a high-energy evening where your favorite locals step behind the bar for a mission that matters.STEM Coding Lab is swapping keyboards for cocktail shakers to support our work providing K-8 digital literacy.Event DetailsIncluded with Your Ticket: Enjoy a curated flight of four signature a...