Project Based Learning
through our STEM Programs
A 2-year, hands-on STEM curriculum that builds coding skills, engineering confidence, and cyber safety awareness - one project at a time.
Explore Our Projects
A rotating set of hands-on builds and coding activities throughout the school year.
AI & DATA
CODING
ENGINEERING
CYBERSECURITY
ROBOTICS
Sphero Coding
Program Sphero robots through coding challenges that build logic and teamwork.
Treehouse Project
Build a 3D version of their treehouse using multiple problem solving skills in teams.
KiwiCo Drawbot
Construct a drawing robot exploring motors, gears, and creative mechanical design.
KiwiCo Robot Crawler
Build a walking robot and learn about locomotion, sensors, and structural engineering.
Hydraulics Claw
Engineer a hydraulic-powered claw exploring fluid mechanics and precision control.
Light Chasing Robot
Build a robot that follows light using circuits, photosensors, and autonomous programming.
What Students Can Gain
Coding & Debugging Mindset
Logical thinking, problem decomposition, and persistence through iterative problem-solving.
Engineering & Prototyping
Design thinking, hands-on building, and understanding how things work mechanically and electrically.
Cyber Safety & Critical Thinking
Password hygiene, phishing awareness, and analytical approaches to digital challenges.
Confidence & Life Skills
Presentation skills, personal finance literacy, teamwork, and the belief that they belong in STEM.
Project Based Learning (PBL)
PBL is a model and framework of teaching and learning in which students acquire content knowledge and skills in order to answer a driving question based on an authentic challenge, need, problem or concern. Project Based Learning is accomplished using a variety of skills such as critical thinking, communication, and creativity.
PBL starts with the project in mind (so introducing the project up front) and then introduces topics or reinforces concepts previously learned. At the end, PBL also involves an ongoing process of reflection and presentation of what the student learned and the process they had to go through to complete the project.
This is why our projects are so fun and engaging with our students. We introduce a challenge, we reinforce what they know, introduce specific skills relevant to the project and then the students have fun with it!
Annual Highlights
Explore highlights, milestones, and memories from each school year.
2025–2026
Engineering challenges, cybersecurity escape rooms, robotics, AI & financial literacy. Celebrated with a Trailblazer visit to Salesforce.
2024–2025
Celebrated our 10th anniversary year! Continued expanding STEM programming with hands-on projects and mentorship milestones.
2023–2024
Explored big data, AI & cybersecurity. Coded Sphero Bolt robots and built KiwiCo Record Racer kits in our 9th year of operation.
2022–2023
Built the KiwiCo Drawbot, learned coding & laptop assembly, and took a STEM field trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
2021–2022
Returned to the classroom! Expanded to Berkeley Lake & Level Creek Elementary. Covered cybersecurity, personal branding & built a Hydraulics Claw.
2020–2021
Pivoted to an all-virtual program during the pandemic. Despite Zoom fatigue, we ended the year strong.
2019–2020
Started strong with guest speakers, but the school year was cut short in March 2020 due to COVID-19.
2018–2019
Launched IT Girls with our first cohort, celebrating favorite moments and building STEM awareness for 4th & 5th grade girls.
IT Girls Foundation empowers girls to explore STEM through hands-on projects, business partnerships, and inspiring guest speakers—building the skills and confidence to thrive in school and future careers.
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