STEM Coding Lab was started by the Penninti family in 2017. Viv Penninti came to Pittsburgh from India in 1980 to get his master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He subsequently got his MBA from CMU and landed his first job at MSA, a local (Pittsburgh) data analytics firm. Thus was born his love for the city of Pittsburgh and his adopted country which welcomed him with open arms and provided opportunities to succeed based on merit and hard work. Viv went on to become the Chief Executive Officer at MSA, iGate, and other companies, and started several companies himself, mostly in the fields of information technology and data analytics.
Viv believes that digital literacy is key to the success of our children. His local experience, though, indicated a major “digital divide” in society where a large number of the less fortunate children simply did not have access to the resources needed to succeed. Thus was born STEM Coding Lab – an organization focused on providing computer education to underserved children. This has been Viv’s way to contribute and payback to the community that welcomed him and nurtured him for the past 30+ years. A devoted husband & father and beloved by his employees, family, and friends, STEM Coding Lab is thankful for his generosity and leadership.
Mission: To provide under-resourced children with the computer skills needed to succeed in the digital economy.
Vision:A world where all children have the same opportunity to succeed, regardless of income level.
Our commitment to our mission is rooted in a few simple facts.
Pennsylvania’s Future Job Market:
14,000 open computer science jobs in Pennsylvania today:
918,000 CS job vacancies nationwide:
83% of the middle-income jobs in America require digital literacy:
Less than 10% of K-8 youth have access to a foundational computer science course:
To date, we have worked with many schools & nonprofits, including:
- Allegheny Youth Development
- Beta Builders
- Bible Center Church – Makers Clubhouse
- Brashear Association
- The Bus Stops Here Foundation
- Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center
- Center That CARES
- Citiparks
- Clairton City School District
- Commonwealth Charter Academy
- Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)
- Duquesne University
- Education Partnership
- Environmental Charter School
- Greater Pittsburgh Digital Inclusion Alliance
- Greater Valley Community Services, Inc.
- Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF)
- Homewood-Brushton YMCA
- H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow
- Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
- Jasmine Nyree Campus
- Langley K-8 (PPSD)
- The Latino Community Center
- Northgate School District
- Pittsburgh Arlington K-8
- Pittsburgh Brookline K-8
- Pittsburgh Faison K-5
- Pittsburgh King PreK-8
- Pittsburgh Langley K-8
- Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative
- Pittsburgh Lincoln PreK-5
- Pittsburgh Public School District
- Pittsburgh Technology Council/Fortyx80
- Project Destiny
- Propel Schools (Braddock Hills)
- Propel Schools (Homestead)
- Propel Schools (Northside)
- PULSE – Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience
- Remake Learning
- Sto-Rox School District
- University of Pittsburgh
- Wi-Fi on Wheels CyberBus
- Wilkinsburg School District
- WQED
The Jerome Bettis, Bus Stops Here Foundation is proud to partner with STEM Coding Lab on our stem education program, Innovation Huddle. The curriculum they’ve developed will ensure that students in the Pittsburgh region will receive the skills they need to thrive in a technology driven world. We are grateful for their expertise, creativity, and thoughtfulness that goes into each and every lesson plan. We know with the STEM Coding Lab as our partner, we will continue to grow our program and reach more students in our community.
Working with Kathleen and Jason at STEM Coding Lab has always been both a pleasurable and beneficial experience. We have been able to partner and share resources collaboratively to make sure that students and teachers in the region not only have the equipment necessary for a 21st century education, but also the knowledge of how to effectively use those tools. I look forward to seeing STEM Coding Lab’s programs and presence grow in the region for the benefit of local youth.
Stem Coding Lab is an asset to our city and a leader in providing access to and advocating for quality Computer Science/Coding to our community and beyond. I have had the pleasure of volunteering with Kathleen and Jason for several well-organized community Hour of Code events. We have had an incredible time educating community members, sharing resources and meeting new people through coding. On a more local level Stem Coding Lab secured a One Northside Grant, to provide Northside residents with a top notch and well-attended Hour of Code at CoLab 18 in Nova Place, another great community resource.
On a more personal level, volunteering with Stem Coding Lab has been very motivating to me professionally and continues to inspire me to grow professionally.
The Out-of-School Time (OST) Team at Pittsburgh Public Schools began partnering with STEM Coding Lab during the 2017-2018 school year. From our early talks to the programming that they currently run, they have been committed to providing high-quality OST programming to our students and always collaborate responsively with our schools and District offices.
Thank you to the generous funders and sponsors who make our work possible!
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