Pittsburgh’s STEM Coding Lab brings tech education to underserved students

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Updated: 12:52 AM EDT Aug 29, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Jill Szwed
Meteorologist
Updated: 12:52 AM EDT Aug 29, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Jill Szwed
Meteorologist
PITTSBURGH —

STEM Coding Lab, headquartered in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood, is on a mission to provide all K-8 students with access to STEM education in today’s digital age

“We feel that regardless of a child’s ZIP code or their parents’ income status, we want them to have the opportunity to the CS, AI and STEM opportunities that other school districts have,” said Justin James, vice president of development at STEM Coding Lab

Beyond equitable access, James said that the programming strives to connect students with opportunities they might not otherwise know exist

“We have Duolingo, Google. AI Avenue has a plethora of these tech hubs. And just blocks away, there are children that we serve that may not know that. We strive to bring those opportunities to those children,” James said

The lab offers hands-on lessons that teach the fundamentals of coding and robotics. The hope is that these opportunities will spark curiosity and allow students to see themselves as future scientists or engineers

“It is an immediate gratification. They made that thing do that thing. And it’s a really cool feeling for them to be able to say, ‘Oh, I control that with just something I did on my computer,'” said Jason Hivner, director of curriculum development at STEM Coding Lab

Since its launch in 2017, STEM Coding Lab has expanded to serve over 4,500 students through 30 school districts and community partnerships. Duquesne City School District is now entering its third school year with the program

“The problem-solving skills, the critical thinking, the collaboration, the communication — you’re going to use those things in your everyday life,” said Erica Slobodnik, elementary principal at Duquesne City School District

STEM Coding Lab is looking for new volunteers and mentors to share their journeys to careers in STEM

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