STEM Coding Lab
STEM Coding Lab is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers in-person K-8 computer science, AI, and STEM education to underserved children in Title I schools and community centers across Allegheny and Westmoreland counties through embedded full-time instructors and a CMU-co-developed AI fluency curriculum.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What STEM Coding Lab does
STEM Coding Lab is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 that delivers in-person computer science, AI, and STEM education to K-8 students in underserved communities of western Pennsylvania. The organization embeds dedicated full-time CS instructors directly into partner schools and community centers serving populations where more than 80% of students qualify for Title I free lunch. Programming is delivered across three modalities: integrated in-school classes (70% of delivery), afterschool programs at 30+ community sites including Boys & Girls Clubs (15%), and 10-day immersive summer camps, reaching 4,300+ students annually through 180+ weekly classes with a documented 100% school-partner retention rate since inception.
The product portfolio is built around experiential learning using robotics kits, physical computing, and game design to teach computational thinking. The proprietary AI Fluency Curriculum, co-developed with Carnegie Mellon University's CREATE Lab and launching as a pilot in March 2025, adds 20 in-class AI modules for grades 1-5 covering AI mechanics, ethics, and societal impact, aligned to Pennsylvania educational standards. The co-teaching model pairs SCL's specialized instructors with classroom teachers to build internal district capacity over time.
The organization is funded through a mix of foundation grants (Richard King Mellon Foundation as the lead institutional funder with $885K across 2022 and 2024, plus Eden Hall Foundation and Kars4Kids), individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring, $25-$1,000+), corporate partnerships structured around Pennsylvania EITC tax credits (Adopt-a-Class, Adopt-a-School-District tiers), and planned giving. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Operations are led by CEO Melissa Fuller (appointed December 2024), with a board chaired by founder Viv Penninti and including representatives from K&L Gates, Richard K. Mellon and Sons, and the Clairton City School District, reflecting a governance structure that tightly aligns legal, funder, and district interests.
STEM Coding Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- STEM Coding Lab
- Legal name
- STEM Coding Lab Inc.
- Website
- https://stemcodinglab.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- STEM Coding Lab is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers in-person K-8 computer science, AI, and STEM education to underserved children in Title I schools and community centers across Allegheny and Westmoreland counties through embedded full-time instructors and a CMU-co-developed AI fluency curriculum.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
STEM Coding Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-8 Computer Science and STEM Education Services
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEM & Coding Learning Centers (Robotics, Programming, Engineering) (EDANAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG), Introductory Coding (Block-Based & Beginner) (EDAMACAA), Text-Based Programming (Python, Java, C/C++) (EDAMACAB), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL)
Keywords
Where STEM Coding Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
STEM Coding Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations including Richard King Mellon Foundation ($635,000 in 2024, $250,000 in 2022), Eden Hall Foundation (4-year grant), Kars4Kids grants
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals in amounts ranging from $25 to $1,000+, with options for one-time or monthly recurring donations
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate donations through PA EITC program offering 75-90% tax credits for one-year or two-year donations. Options include Adopt a Class, Adopt a School District, General Operating, and Board Reserve donations
- Planned Giving: Bequests through wills or living trusts, life income gifts, gifts of life insurance, IRA distributions for donors age 73+
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Individual Donation Options |
| Other | Multi-year contract | PA EITC Program for Businesses |
| Other | Annual | Corporate Partnership - Adopt a Class |
| Other | Annual | Corporate Partnership - Adopt a School District |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
STEM Coding Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
STEM Coding Lab provides in-person K-8 computer science, AI, and STEM instruction to children in underserved Title I schools and community centers in the Pittsburgh region. It embeds full-time specialized CS instructors inside partner schools and community organizations to deliver experiential, project-based classes in robotics, game design, physical computing, and AI literacy, with curriculum co-developed with Carnegie Mellon University's CREATE Lab.
Product overview
STEM Coding Lab is a non-profit educational organization (501(c)(3)) providing a unified portfolio of K-8 computer science, AI, and STEM programs. The core offering consists of In-School Programs, After School & Community Centers, and Summer Camps, all built around experiential learning through robotics and game design. The AI Fluency Curriculum, developed in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, represents a specialized module targeting foundational AI education for grades 1-5. The organization embeds dedicated teachers directly in schools and community centers with over 70% Title 1 K-8 students, focusing on underserved communities in the Pittsburgh region. Services are delivered through in-person instruction supplemented by a virtual platform, reaching approximately 4,300 students annually across 30+ locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- In-School Programs Computer science, AI, and STEM instruction integrated directly into the regular K-8 school day curriculum at Title I partner schools. Delivered by 9 full-time specialized CS instructors who co-teach with classroom teachers in 45-60 minute weekly lessons; represents approximately 70% of SCL's programming.
- After School & Community Center Programs Project-based, collaborative CS, robotics, Python, and AI instruction delivered at 30+ community sites including Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and Best of the Batch Foundation in neighborhoods such as Hill District, Homewood, McKees Rocks, Duquesne, Clairton, East Liberty, and North Side. Represents approximately 15% of SCL's programming.
- Summer Camps 10-day immersive in-person summer camps for K-8 students featuring intensive project-based learning in coding, robotics, and design, including team-based projects, hands-on activities, brain breaks, and deep-dive sessions. Designed to prevent summer learning slide.
- AI Fluency Curriculum
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% retention rate among school partners since inception in 2017
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use STEM Coding Lab
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
STEM Coding Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
STEM Coding Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Carnegie Mellon University CREATE LabflagshipCo-developing AI Fluency Pilot Project for grades 1-5. CMU provides world-class research and pedagogical expertise; SCL provides proven regional delivery network. Project will create 20 in-class AI modules covering mechanics, ethics, and environmental impacts of AI.
- Valley School of LigoniercorePartner in AI Fluency Pilot Project. Technology teachers Ruth Barton and Reneé Moore participating in co-design and implementation of AI curriculum for grades 1-5 in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.
- Will Allen FoundationcoreStrategic partnership to bridge middle school STEM gap in Clairton City School District. WAF provides 9 CS classes per week to grades 6-8 plus additional classes to 3rd-5th and 9th-12th graders. Also provides mentorship, scholarships, and basic-needs initiatives.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PennsylvaniacoreAfterschool programming partner providing 30+ community sites for SCL's afterschool programs in high-need corridors of Allegheny County.
- Best of the Batch FoundationcoreAfterschool programming partner hosting SCL programs in the community.
- Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here FoundationminorPartnership for Innovation Huddle STEM education program. SCL provides curriculum expertise; foundation provides support and reach for Pittsburgh region students.
- K&L GatesminorPartner Roberto Capriotti from K&L Gates serves on SCL Board of Directors, bringing intellectual property law expertise.
- Clairton City School DistrictcoreSuperintendent Dr. Tamara Allen-Thomas serves on SCL Board. District has 93.8% Title I eligibility. Partnership provides 38 CS classes per week to grades 1-8.
- Duquesne City School DistrictcorePartner district with Superintendent Dr. Sue A. Mariani providing positive testimonial about SCL partnership and innovative coding programs.
- Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)minorEducational institution partner supporting SCL's mission and programming.
- University of PittsburghminorUniversity partner collaborating on STEM education initiatives.
- Duquesne UniversityminorUniversity partner collaborating on STEM education initiatives.
- Pittsburgh Technology Council/Fortyx80minorTechnology council partnership for regional tech community engagement.
- Remake LearningminorRegional learning network partner for education innovation.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
STEM Coding Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Khan Academy: Large established nonprofit education platform offering free CS curricula including coding and AI concepts for K-12 learners. Comparable K-12 CS/AI education mission but operates as a free online platform rather than embedded in-person instruction.
Direct peers
- Code.org: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free K-12 computer science curriculum and professional learning. Directly comparable mission of expanding CS access in schools, with a much larger scale and broader geographic reach than STEM Coding Lab.
- CoderDojo: Global volunteer-led community of free coding clubs for young people. Comparable extracurricular, volunteer-supported, community-based CS education model targeting youth including in underserved areas.
- CodeNation: Nonprofit that places coding instructors in high schools to teach web development and software engineering. Similar model of embedding dedicated instructors in underserved schools, with comparable co-teaching and curriculum development approach.
- Girls Who Code: National nonprofit working to close the gender gap in technology through K-12 CS education programs including clubs, summer immersion, and college programs. Comparable nonprofit, mission-aligned CS education delivery model.
- TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools): Microsoft Philanthropies program that places trained volunteer developers to co-teach CS in high schools, with a similar co-teaching model to STEM Coding Lab. Targets underserved schools and addresses the same teacher-capacity gap in K-12 CS education.
- Black Girls CODE: Nonprofit providing technology education for girls of color with a focus on underserved communities. Comparable mission-driven, in-person coding programs for K-12 students, often delivered through community partnerships.
Others
- Remake Learning: Regional network of more than 300 organizations supporting innovative learning in the Pittsburgh region; listed as a GTM/marketing partner of STEM Coding Lab. Adjacent ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor, but influences funder and partner pipelines.
Regional players
- Carnegie Science Center (Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh): Pittsburgh-based STEM education institution offering programs, camps, and exhibits for K-12 learners. Comparable regional STEM education focus in the same Western PA geography, though broader than computer science alone.
Emerging players
- Code for Fun: Smaller regional provider of in-person and online coding education for K-12 students, including afterschool and summer camp programs. Comparable operational model (in-school, afterschool, camps) and target segment, but California-based and at smaller scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
STEM Coding Lab social profiles
Digital presenceSTEM Coding Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
STEM Coding Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
STEM Coding Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
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STEM Coding Lab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about STEM Coding Lab
What does STEM Coding Lab do?
STEM Coding Lab provides in-person K-8 computer science, AI, and STEM instruction to children in underserved Title I schools and community centers in the Pittsburgh region. It embeds full-time specialized CS instructors inside partner schools and community organizations to deliver experiential, project-based classes in robotics, game design, physical computing, and AI literacy, with curriculum co-developed with Carnegie Mellon University's CREATE Lab.
Is STEM Coding Lab a public or private company?
STEM Coding Lab is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was STEM Coding Lab founded?
STEM Coding Lab was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is STEM Coding Lab based?
STEM Coding Lab is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does STEM Coding Lab make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, corporate Partnerships and planned Giving.
Who are STEM Coding Lab's main competitors?
Khan Academy is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Code.org, CoderDojo, CodeNation, Girls Who Code, TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools) and Black Girls CODE. Remake Learning is listed as an others. Carnegie Science Center (Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh) is listed as a regional player. Code for Fun is listed as an emerging player.
Does STEM Coding Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for STEM Coding Lab.
What industry is STEM Coding Lab in?
STEM Coding Lab's product category is K-8 Computer Science and STEM Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAHAF, STEM & Coding Learning Centers (Robotics, Programming, Engineering), with a secondary code of BPAGADAG, STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 8200.