Steam Coders founder outlines 10-year effort to broaden STEAM access in Pasadena

Raymond Elely, executive director and founder of Steam Coders, said the nonprofit teaches science, technology, engineering, art and math to prepare students for academic and career opportunities. "Hello, my name is Raymond Elely. I'm the executive director and founder of Steam Coders," he said.

Elely said the program started about a decade ago in Pasadena to give minority students access to computer equipment and instruction they otherwise lacked. "Steam coders started 10 years ago in Pasadena," he said, describing an early focus on scratch coding and basic programming for elementary and middle school students.

The organization has expanded its curriculum to include JavaScript, Python, robotics and design, and is experimenting with AI and machine-learning modules so students can sample a range of STEAM fields. Elely said many former students have gone on to college and returned as summer staff or tutors, which he cited as evidence the program builds a sustainable pipeline of instructors and role models.

Elely described how the group responded during the COVID period by providing devices and connectivity to help students keep up with schoolwork: "We invested in buying Chromebooks and laptops for students and also providing one year of internet service so they could log in and get their lessons from the school." He said transportation costs for field trips — often moving 40 to 50 students at a time — have risen substantially and are an ongoing barrier to offsite learning experiences.

On staffing and classroom structure, Elely said instructors, volunteers and site coordinators support differentiated learning with beginner, intermediate and advanced tracks. He estimated Steam Coders could increase enrollment by 20 to 25 percent annually as partnerships expand and outreach continues.

Elely said the nonprofit recruits primarily through school relationships, community organizations and parent referrals and that it provides equipment and instruction at no cost to families. He closed by inviting listeners to learn more through the group's website.