Project Highlights

Digital Toys for Math Literacy

Providing a low-cost, kid-friendly object with embedded electronics that enables young children and their parents to imagine, explore and learn mathematical concepts together.

Digital Toys for Math Literacy

$12,000, 2009 Spark project support

Digital Toys for Math Literacy, a project of Propel Schools, was a low cost, kid-friendly object with embedded electronics that enabled young children and their parents to imagine, explore and learn mathematical concepts together. Developed in partnership with Sima Products, the toys could be linked together into multiplayer games challenging kids to use fundamental arithmetic and problem solving skills.

Message from Me!

Creating a kiosk prototype that interactively combines digital photography and sound to enable young children to better communicate with parents about their daytime activities.

Message from Me!

$15,000, 2009 Spark project support

Message from Me!, a project of Carnegie Mellon’s CREATE Lab, was a kiosk prototype that interactively combined digital photography and sound to enable young children to better communicate with parents about their daytime activities at childcare centers by using custom-built age-appropriate interfaces to record and share their daily experiences.

RePlayMyPlay

Developing an energy-harvesting play exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center that converts the mechanical energy from the motion of children’s play into electric power.

RePlayMyPlay

$14,000, 2009 Spark project support

RePlayMyPlay, a project of Deren Guler, was an energy-harvesting play exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center that converted the mechanical energy from the motion of children’s play into electric power.

Character Therapy

Engaging children living with Autism Spectrum Disorders in emotional and communication therapy using Popchilla robot devices.

Character Therapy

$13,070, 2010 Spark project support

Character Therapy, a project of Interbots, was a program at the Autism Center of Pittsburgh that used Popchilla robot devices to engage children living with Autism Spectrum Disorders in emotional and communication therapy.

ReefBot

Finding, recording, and identifying marine life in a coral reef habitat with a remote-controlled submersible robot with on-board fish recognition technology that swims in the PPG Aquarium’s Ocean Tank.

ReefBot

$50,000, 2010 Spark project support

ReefBot, a project of Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, was a remote controlled submersible robot with on-board fish recognition technology that swam in the PPG Aquarium’s Ocean Tank. Interactive controls and multimedia display allowed children to navigate the robot, find, record, and identify marine life in a coral reef habitat.

White Light

Projecting optical patterns of additive color mixing and other properties of light as children interact with the touring video sculpture.

White Light

$15,000, 2010 Spark project support

White Light, a project of Amanda Long, was a touring video sculpture composed of red, green and blue animations. As children interacted with it, the projections formed optical patterns of additive color mixing and other properties of light.

Children’s Innovation Project

Producing an electric circuitry components kit designed to engage young children in broad interdisciplinary learning, with a focus on creative exploration, expression, and innovation with technology.

Children’s Innovation Project

$44,200, 2011 Spark project support

Children’s Innovation Project, a project of CREATE Lab, produced a kit of electric circuitry components designed for young hands to engage young children in broad interdisciplinary learning, with a focus on creative exploration, expression and innovation with technology. Using the kit to hack and remix familiar electrical devices, Children made connections to objects in their world through disassembling toys, identifying and then re-purposing and reconfiguring their internal components into new inventions.

Hello Robo!

Leading hands-on robotics activities in 131 Head Start classrooms in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties and at Family Science Events.

Hello Robo!

$49,502, 2011 Spark project support

Hello Robo!, a project of the Carnegie Science Center, introduced robotics in 131 Head Start classrooms in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties and at Family Science Events at the Science Center. During classroom visits, Carnegie Science Center staff educators led hands-on activities to help students build and use simple robotic kits they were then able to keep to utilize in other lessons throughout the school year.

Clay Case

Providing all the materials, tools, and tips for families to create with clay along the access to Union Project’s studio to have their work fired, get a Clay Case refill, and see artists at work in a community studio.

Clay Case

$10,000, 2012 Spark project support

Clay Case, a project of Union Project, was a clay kit for families to do together at home. This studio-to-go included all the materials, tools, tips, and inspiration to create and learn with clay. After the making, families could bring their creations to Union Project’s studio to be fired, get a Clay Case refill, try the potter’s wheel, and see artists at work in a community studio. The Sprout Fund support made it possible to develop this product and give away 200 kits and begin sales of 100 kits to Pittsburgh families. Other Clay Case supporters included Standard Ceramic Supply and Whole Foods Market.

Dream Flight Adventures Playtesting

Creating a playtesting program for non-profit and for-profit partners to prototype their educational products and activities with children and families in the Museum’s MAKESHOP.

Dream Flight Adventures Playtesting

$10,000, 2012 Spark project support

Dream Flight Adventures Playtesting, a project of The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, developed a playtesting program for nonprofit and for-profit partners to prototype their educational products and activities with children and families in the Museum’s MAKESHOP. The Children’s Museum developed a sustainable, revenue generating playtesting service that provided potential clients with high-quality feedback from the Museum’s child and family audience regarding the functionality and effectiveness of their product. To implement the project, the Children’s Museum shared its own expertise designing learning-rich, deeply engaging experiences for children and families, while at the same time providing access to MAKESHOP, a one-of-a-kind space where children and families engaged in DIY (do-it-yourself) projects with traditional and digital tools, materials, and processes. By using MAKESHOP as the site for the new playtesting services, playtesting clients had access to a valuable, technology-rich learning environment that catered to children of all ages and demographics.

Sea Land & Air Challenge

Developing an interest in engineering concepts through competitive, fun activities is a powerful way to expose students to STEM career pathways.

Sea Land & Air Challenge

$15,000, 2012 Spark project support

Sea Land & Air Challenge, a project of Pennsylvania State University Electro Optics Center (EOC), used the EOC’s expertise in unmanned sensor systems to provide the next generation of engineers and technicians hands-on experience with engineering technologies. The project used competitive, fun activities as a powerful way to expose students to STEM career pathways and helped develop an interest in engineering concepts. It additionally provided regional high school students with experience in the design, integration, and testing of sensors (e.g. cameras, temperature sensors, GPS) of remote control vehicles. Student interaction with engineering mentors exposed students to a ‘real-world’ engineering process and helped incorporate scientific skills with hands-on experience. The experience inspired students to pursue STEM education and opened a doorway to a wide range of educational and career opportunities.

Avonworth Pittsburgh Galleries Project

Supporting student-created, curated and managed exhibitions at Avonworth High School in association with major cultural institutions around Pittsburgh.

Avonworth Pittsburgh Galleries Project

$10,000 » Avonworth School District, 2013 Hive project support

Avonworth Pittsburgh Galleries Project, a project of Avonworth School District, was a program in which high school students designed, created, curated, and managed art exhibition spaces on Avonworth’s campus. Museum and arts professionals from the Andy Warhol Museum, the Mattress Factory, the Pittsburgh Glass Center, and others served as mentors and resources for students throughout the school year as they worked to fully curate spaces at Avonworth that reflected the characteristics and mediums of the partnering museums.

Crossing Fences Oral History Celebrations 2013

Celebrating the release of multimedia publications documenting neighborhood history gathered by African American boys in the Northside, Hilltop, and McKeesport areas of Pittsburgh.

Crossing Fences Oral History Celebrations 2013

$1,000 » SLB Radio Productions, Inc., 2013 Hive sponsorship

Crossing Fences Oral History Celebrations 2013, a project of SLB Radio Productions, Inc., was an event series that celebrated the release of multimedia publications documenting neighborhood oral history gathered by African-American boys in the Northside, McKeesport, and Hilltop areas of Pittsburgh.

Media Lab Programming at Sarah Heinz House

Creating and composing media in teams, teens learned how to publish online news stories, shoot photos, produce short films, edit soundtracks, and study music production and DJ techniques.

Media Lab Programming at Sarah Heinz House

$10,000 » Sarah Heinz House, 2013 Hive project support

Media Lab Programming at Sarah Heinz House, a project of Sarah Heinz House, was a connected learning lab where students aged 12-18 created and composed media in a team-centered setting. With staff and professional volunteers, teens learned how to publish online news stories, do shoot photos, produce short films, edit soundtracks, and study music production and DJ techniques. Because topics and story ideas were initiated by the students, the Media Lab engaged students on a personal level, taking into consideration not only development in leadership, creative thinking, problem-solving and teamwork, but also the interests and subjects that were relevant to the lives of teens, ultimately giving them a voice in civic, societal, and cultural conversations.

Mobile Quest CoLab

Focusing on learning and experimentation with games as teaching tools, games as dynamic systems, game design, and mobile technology.

Mobile Quest CoLab

$4,015 » Institute of Play, 2013 Hive sponsorship

Mobile Quest CoLab, a project of Institute of Play, was a free 2-week professional development program for teachers interested in games, design and mobile technology as classroom tools. The program focused on learning and experimentation with games as teaching tools, games as dynamic systems, game design, and mobile technology integration for classroom use.

Saturdays at The Dream Factory

Inviting youth from the surrounding counties of Washington, Greene, Westmoreland and Fayette to transform inventive ideas into real objects, using laser cutters, AutoCAD with 3D capabilities, robotics, micro controllers, and wood shop equipment.

Saturdays at The Dream Factory

$10,000 » Elizabeth Forward School District, 2013 Hive project support

Saturdays at The Dream Factory, a project of Elizabeth Forward School District, was a series of open Saturday sessions and a summer enrichment program at the Middle School’s Dream Factory maker lab. The program invited youth from surrounding counties of Washington, Greene, Westmoreland and Fayette to transform inventive ideas into real objects, using laser cutters, AutoCAD with 3D capabilities, robotics, micro controllers and wood shop equipment.

SocialChange101

Exposing Pittsburgh teens to social issues that affect their communities, contextualizing them within historical precedents, and empowering them with technical and artistic skills.

SocialChange101

$15,000 » Carnegie Mellon University, 2013 Hive project support

SocialChange101, a project of Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Arts in Society, was a free online educational resource and youth workshop series for students of social change. The online resource included courses in history and social change and a directory of local organizations working toward social justice, while the youth workshops focused on media literacy’s role in that change, culminating in student-produced videos highlighting organizations involved in the directory. It is through these courses and workshops that SocialChange101 exposed groups of Pittsburgh teens to social issues that affected their communities, contextualizing them within historical precedents and concepts of social change and empowering the teens with technical and artistic skills and the knowledge that even individuals can make an incredible difference in the world.

Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire

Creating a festival-like environment to celebrate the Do-It-Yourself movement, exchange ideas, demonstrate projects, and share skills.

Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire

$2,500 » Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 2013 Spark sponsorship

Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire, a project of Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, was a locally-grown event showcasing makers of all ages from Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities of Southwestern Pennsylvania. One of more than 65 Maker Faires held annually around the world, the Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire created a festival-like environment to celebrate the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) movement, exchange ideas, demonstrate projects, and share skills. Uniting science, art, craft, and engineering in a fun, energized, and exciting public forum, the Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire offered participatory making activities for visitors including 3D printing, soldering, and creating shopbots using recycled materials and electrical components. In 2013, the Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire took over the Children’s Museum on Sunday, August 18.

Saturday Crafternoons

Bringing artists and crafters together with kids to teach them about making in the world around them.

Saturday Crafternoons

$15,000 » Assemble, 2013 Spark project support

Saturday Crafternoons, a project of Assemble, was a program that promoted project-based learning, hands-on making, experimentation and community engagement for youth ages 5-10 through free DIY workshops with local craft artists. The program focused on make-and-take activities, creating community focused projects and connecting STEAM learning to crafting and making, while educating youth about environmental issues and empowering them to be confident makers, foster a love of DIY projects and activate an interest in their community and city. Through Saturday Crafternoons, kids learned not only about the projects they were making, but about themselves and the world around them.

UnConference 2013

Supporting a two-day, free-form “unconference” that enabled educators and technologists to “play together” and learn about using emerging technologies in the classroom.

UnConference 2013

$5,000 » PAEYC, 2013 Spark sponsorship

UnConference 2013, a project of Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC), was an annual two-day conference where educators and technologists could “play together,” learning about how to use emerging technology for learning experiences in the classroom. The conference centered on the idea of a “hackathon,” where teams comprised of technology developers, user interface and design experts, and marketing professionals built open source apps submitted by regional teachers and educators and voted on by the public, but also featured other engagement opportunities including a number of “field trips” to creative tech spaces around Pittsburgh helping to remake learning, including TechShop, MAYA Design Inc., CMU’s CREATE Lab, and the MAKESHOP at The Children’s Museum.

Build Your Own Desk Project

Preparing students to kick off their high school education with the skills needed to succeed–and a desk to do it with!

Build Your Own Desk Project

$5,000 » Holy Family Institute, 2014 Hive project support

Build Your Own Desk Project, a project of Holy Family Institute, allowed ninth grade students at Holy Family Academy to build their own desks to be used throughout their high school career. The project provided students an opportunity to develop hard skills (designing & building), soft skills (teamwork & communication) and dispositions (self-confidence & persistence), preparing students for high school with the skills needed to succeed - and a desk to do it with! The Build Your Own Desk Project partnered with the PA Carpenter’s Union, the United Way of Allegheny County and TechShop Pittsburgh, giving students a well-rounded, professional experience to kick off their educations at Holy Family.

Bulldogs on Bikes

Encouraging teens to be active by enabling them to design and build their own bikes.

Bulldogs on Bikes

$12,000 » The Neighborhood Academy, 2014 Hive project support

Bulldogs on Bikes, a project of The Neighborhood Academy, was a cycling program that allowed low-income, underserved students to participate in cyclocross activities that would be otherwise financially prohibitive. The program had both athletic and artistic aspects, not only teaching students about the cyclocross and other cycle racing, but also allowing them to design, build and decorate their own bike which they could keep at the completion of the program. In that, Bulldogs on Bikes promoted both physical and mental well-being, encouraging teens to be active in sport and in art.

Cook, Grow, Garden

Teaching students about cultivation and cooking, from recipe writing to floral arranging, after working with food grown on-site at the museum’s community gardens.

Cook, Grow, Garden

$15,000 » Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 2014 Hive project support

Cook, Grow, Garden, a project of Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, was a series of three youth-oriented programs that all focused on food. The first two programs, Youth Cook and Youth Grow, both invited students to work with food grown in the Museum’s four on-site and community gardens, teaching them about cultivation and cooking, from recipe writing to floral arranging. The third program, Tripoli Street Garden Nights/Days, was a twice-weekly volunteer gardening experience at the Museum’s largest garden, a quarter acre lot on Tripoli Street named Food City. Together, these three programs gave youth on the North Side an opportunity to learn about where their food comes from and how they can make more informed decisions about the things they cook and eat.

First Waves

Teaching teens facing adversity about surfing, filmmaking, and conservation by piloting paddleboards and using GoPro cameras to document their adventures.

First Waves

$5,000 » Paddle Without Pollution, 2014 Hive project support

First Waves, a project of Paddle Without Pollution in partnership with SurfSUP Adventures, taught teens facing adversity about surfing, filmmaking and conservation all at once. Teens recruited from Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh took paddleboards out to surf the Stonycreek River at Greenhouse Park, using GoPro cameras to document their adventures. Then, the project moved downtown for a river clean-up event on the shores of the City of Pittsburgh with further filming. Finally, on the project’s third day, teens visited Pittsburgh Filmmakers for a video editing workshop to complete their short films about how pollution threatens our waterways and our community’s quality of life.

Rankin Gymnasium Mural

Creating a mural and staffing a new printshop where students learn digital and screen printing design processes used in producing uniforms and promotional materials for an upcoming basketball tournament.

Rankin Gymnasium Mural

$10,500 » Artists Image Resource, 2014 Hive project support

Rankin Gymnasium Mural, a project of Artists Image Resource, was a large-scale art piece for the Rankin Christian Center, designed in collaboration with Andy Warhol Museum international Dutch artist-in-residence Stefan Hoffmann and the Rankin Christian Center’s youth workshop and community engagement program. The project went beyond just the production of a mural, opening a new print shop in the Center, staffed by students who learned the digital and screen printing design processes used in producing uniforms, posters and promotional materials for the project’s culminating event: a basketball tournament in the newly adorned gymnasium. The multifaceted project taught students new skills, along with lessons in leadership, teamwork and creative thinking.

Teens as Teachers

Inviting students to become teachers and mentors in their own schools and communities by helping them develop leadership and technical skills.

Teens as Teachers

$1,000 » Assemble, 2014 Hive project support

Teens as Teachers, a project of Assemble, was a series of workshops that invited students to become teachers and mentors in their own schools and communities. The six weekly workshops helped students develop leadership and technical skills that could be passed on through programs that the students designed themselves, using their own interests in digital media, programming, and technology as a starting point. A professional development course for pre-professionals, Teens as Teachers gave students a chance not only to decide what to learn—but how to teach it as well.

Water Design Challenge—Dive In!

Tackling local and global water resource issues in physical and virtual spaces and learning about civic engagement by collaborating on student task forces.

Water Design Challenge—Dive In!

$13,500 » Mt. Lebanon School District, 2014 Hive project support

Water Design Challenge - Dive In!, a project of Mt. Lebanon School District, asked students to explore real world water issues both locally and globally. The program had students collaborate as part of a “water task force” to tackle those issues in physical and virtual spaces while at the same time, learning about civic engagement. As part of their participation in the Challenge, students connected with Clean Water Action, the 9-Mile Run Watershed, Stormworks, and 3Rivers Wet Weather to learn about what it takes in the real world to deal with important water issues.

YMCA Lighthouse Summer Music Project

Teaching students about music and video production, encouraging teamwork and collaboration, and making a case for activism and advocacy in each student’s community.

YMCA Lighthouse Summer Music Project

$5,000 » YMCA Greater Pittsburgh, 2014 Hive project support

YMCA Lighthouse Summer Music Project, a project of YMCA Greater Pittsburgh, was a six-week long music video project where teens created a song and video tackling a community or social issue relevant to their lives. Two groups of students, based out of the Homewood YMCA and the Hazelwood YMCA will research, wrote and recorded a song, then filmed and edited a video to be shared online, all using professional audio/visual technology. The YMCA Lighthouse Summer Music Project taught students about music and video production, encouraged teamwork and collaboration, and made a case for activism and advocacy in each student’s community.

Youth Initiative on Race & Identity

Leading teens through activities that help them reflect on who they are, identify their own personal biases and stereotypes, and see how they interact and lead discussions on sensitive topics.

Youth Initiative on Race & Identity

$15,000 » Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, 2014 Hive project support

Youth Initiative on Race & Identity, a project of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, was an educational workshop facet of the museum’s exhibit, RACE: Are We So Different?, which examined the scientific and social constructs of race. The workshop series led teens through activities that helped them reflect on who they are, identify their own personal biases and stereotypes, and see how they interact and lead discussions on sensitive topics. The program culminated in the day-long Youth Summit on Race & Identity, where teens shared projects and ideas developed over the course of the project.

The Lemonade Project

Students testing Pittsburgh’s water and sharing findings in neighborhood “lemonade stands” to inspire action on pollution.

The Lemonade Project

$5,000 » ArtUp, 2014 Spark project support

The Lemonade Project, a project of ArtUp, enlightened and empowered youth through the use of science, art and activism. Using a CATFISH digital apparatus to measure water quality, young students tested the drinking water in six of the county’s neighborhoods. They then publicized their findings in neighborhood “lemonade stands” to inspire concern about pollution in our water. With help from the Mattress Factory and Alloy Studios, students built the lemonade stands that were used in the city’s parks, museums and neighborhoods to spread the word.

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with Summer Dreamers Academy

Developing badges to recognize academic and social achievements in Pittsburgh Public Schools’ premier summer learning program.

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with Summer Dreamers Academy

$4,000 » Pittsburgh Public Schools, 2015 City of Learning project support

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with Summer Dreamers Academy - Pittsburgh Public Schools, a project of Pittsburgh Public Schools, engaged teens through their Summer Dreamers Academy to encourage a passion for learning and exploration, and to motivate campers to persist in the face of challenges. Summer Dreamers offered badges in three distinct areas and Pittsburgh Public Schools served as the issuer of badges for demonstrated accomplishments in morning academic classes and for regular program attendance and engagement

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with Summer of Learn and Earn

Rewarding participants in the city’s summer youth employment with badges related to a city-wide career readiness curriculum.

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with Summer of Learn and Earn

$25,000 » Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, 2015 City of Learning project support

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with Summer of Learn and Earn - Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, a project of The Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, provided employment opportunities for youth ages 14-21 through the Summer Learn and Earn Program. A partnership with the Workforce Investment Board, the City of Pittsburgh, and Allegheny County, the 2015 program became a pipeline of career access for the region. The program was part of a comprehensive system that supported collaboration between public and private funding streams for pathways that provided youth with enhanced academic support, work readiness coaching, and on-the-job skills training as a means of developing a future workforce better prepared to successfully secure meaningful employment, post high school. The program engaged teens and young adults in summer work experiences where they acquired real world skills and knowledge.

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with The Labs @ CLP and Summer Reading Program

Developing digital badges to motivate teens to stick with summer reading and to reward developing skills in digital media learning programs from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with The Labs @ CLP and Summer Reading Program

$6,500 » Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 2015 City of Learning project support

City of Learning 2015 Partnership with The Labs @ CLP and Summer Reading Program - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), a project of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, created opportunities for youth to explore new interests and continue learning throughout the summer months to help students maintain or increase academic gains achieved during the school year. The project engaged youth via two distinct programs: The Labs @ CLP and the Summer Reading Program, offering badgeable learning opportunities for teens related to both reading and technology. Additionally, Pittsburgh kicked off the 2015 City of Learning campaign at CLP’s 15th annual Summer Reading Extravaganza on June 7, 2015, an all-ages community event that celebrated the City’s community of readers, connecting them to learning opportunities not only at CLP, but also at other informal learning sites.

Enabling local teens to gain hands-on experience in production through interviews with local badge innovators and experts on topics including art and storytelling, engineering, environmental science, gaming, robotics, design and making, and entrepreneurship.

Enabling local teens to gain hands-on experience in production by interviews with local badge innovators and experts on topics such as art/storytelling, engineering, environmental science, gaming, robotics, design and making, and entrepreneurship.

Enabling local teens to gain hands-on experience in production through interviews with local badge innovators and experts on topics including art and storytelling, engineering, environmental science, gaming, robotics, design and making, and entrepreneurship.

$5,000 » Manchester Craftsmens Guild, 2015 City of Learning project support

Learning Pathways Student Video Series, a project of Manchester Craftsmens Guild, supported the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild student video team to interview a diverse array of professionals about their Learning Pathways and produce short films about their findings. The project enabled local teens to gain hands-on experience in production by creating raw footage of interviews with local innovators and experts discussing their roles within the community. The interviews explored topics such as art/storytelling, engineering, environmental science, gaming, robotics, design and making, and entrepreneurship.

Explore the New Manufacturing Video Challenge

Students exploring career opportunities in manufacturing and honing their skills in teamwork, communication, writing, marketing, time management, and storytelling.

Explore the New Manufacturing Video Challenge

$15,000 » Catalyst Connection, 2015 Hive project support

Explore the New Manufacturing Video Challenge, a project of Catalyst Connection, was a video production competition that taught students about careers and companies in the manufacturing industry. Middle school students from eight school districts in four of southwestern Pennsylvania’s counties visited with different manufacturing companies in the region to learn what those companies do and how they do it. The students then made a video to present what they learned at a multimedia competition. This project gave students the opportunity to explore career opportunities in manufacturing and helped hone their skills in teamwork, communication, writing, marketing, time management, and storytelling. The videos produced were also shown to more youth in the region to highlight available career opportunities in the manufacturing industry.

My Block Is Beautiful

Integrating art, media, technology and civic pride in an interdisciplinary S.T.E.A.M. project that includes drone training, aerial photography, photo manipulation, screen printing and gallery installation.

My Block Is Beautiful

$11,000 » YMCA Greater Pittsburgh, 2015 Hive project support

My Block is Beautiful, a project of YMCA Greater Pittsburgh, was an interdisciplinary S.T.E.A.M. project that integrated art, media, technology and civic pride. High School students from the Westinghouse feeder pattern participated in a series of workshops that included drone training, aerial photography, photo manipulation, screen printing and gallery installation. During the workshops participants learned about the science and practical application of drones and used them to take aerial photos of their community. They then transformed these digital images into works of art — resulting in a digital/artistic beautification of their neighborhood. At each phase of the process, youth work alongside experienced mentors including drone experts, photographers, graphic designers and screen printers.

Media Empowerment Students Summit (M.E.S.S.) 2015

Highlighting youth voice and empowerment at Carnegie Mellon University with a discussion led by youth on media and advocacy.

Media Empowerment Students Summit (M.E.S.S.) 2015

$2,500 » Carnegie Mellon University, 2015 Hive sponsorship

Media Empowerment Students Summit (M.E.S.S.) 2015, an event hosted by the CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon University, was the second annual summit on youth media, advocacy, and development groups, highlighting youth voice and empowerment. An estimated 120 young people and 20 youth-serving organizations participated in the event on November 7, 2015 at Carnegie Mellon University and at a second event in February 2016.

Sister II Sister: Promoting Empowerment with eSTEAM

Supporting at-risk female students who wish to achieve school success through STEAM education through a hands-on approach that empowers young women to gain knowledge and understanding through experiential learning.

Sister II Sister: Promoting Empowerment with eSTEAM

$15,000 » Duquesne University, 2015 Hive project support

Sister II Sister: Promoting Empowerment with eS.T.E.A.M., a project of Duquesne University, was an enrichment program designed to support at-risk female students in achieving academic success through STEAM education. The program paired young women who had completed at least a year of Sisters eS.T.E.A.M. programming with young women new to STEAM programming. Focusing primarily on engineering, technology, and math, Sister II Sister used a hands-on approach to help female students gain knowledge and understanding through experiential learning.

Snap

Cultivating student creativity through the exploration of music and the arts in an inquiry-based, active learning environment.

Snap

$12,000 » Duquesne University, 2015 Hive project support

Snap, a project of Duquesne University in conjunction with take pART and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, cultivated student creativity through the exploration of music and the arts in an inquiry-based, active learning environment. Using a pedagogy based on aesthetic education and constructivist principles, students were engaged in design processes, art and music making, and reflective engagements with works of art. Additionally, students developed a maker ethic by using creative problem-solving skills.

S.T.E.A.M. at Brentwood

Using interdisciplinary project-based learning, engineering, communication, and art students worked together to design and create bobble heads, toys, and jewerly.

S.T.E.A.M. at Brentwood

$10,000 » Brentwood Borough School District, 2015 Hive project support

S.T.E.A.M. at Brentwood, a project of Brentwood Borough School District, was a comprehensive STEAM curriculum for youth in the school district. Using interdisciplinary project-based learning, engineering, communication, and art students worked together to do cross-curricular work. Projects included designing and creating bobble heads using 3D design software and then producing the designs with a kiln; creating toys to give to Toys for Tots; and designing jewelry using 3D printers and CNC machines for a design challenge video competition called the “Boca Bearing Innovation Competition”. Student projects were showcased at the annual “Art in the Park” at the Brentwood Civic Center.

Kickstarting Making

Supporting 8 school districts in the Pittsburgh region to raise funds for makerspaces and related programming.

Kickstarting Making

$8,000, 2015 Remake Learning project support

Kickstarting Making, an initiative led by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, helped local school districts raise funds on Kickstarter to create makerspaces in their buildings. Sprout supported 8 schools to help them meet their Kickstarting Making campaign goals: Burgettstown Area School District, Canon-McMillan School District, Environmental Charter School, Ligonier Valley School District, Monessen School District, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Woodland Hills School District, and Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh.

A.C.O.R.N.S (A Classroom Only Roofed by Nature’s Sky)

Creating a nature-based outdoor learning environment for preschoolers at the Larry Joe Harless Community Center in southern West Virginia.

A.C.O.R.N.S (A Classroom Only Roofed by Nature’s Sky)

$15,000 » Marshall University Research Corporation, 2015 Spark project support

A.C.O.R.N.S (A Classroom Only Roofed by Nature’s Sky), a project of Marshall University Research Corporation, created a nature-based outdoor learning environment for preschoolers at the Larry Joe Harless Community Center in southern West Virginia. Through the project, training materials were created to demonstrate how nature-based spaces can support the holistic development of children by providing the children with opportunities to observe and interact with nature and learn social skills through exploration. Through these experiences children developed skills such as classification, inference, description, and comparison.

The Beechwood History and Future Project

Enabling Pittsburgh Public Schools students to investigate their school’s hilstory through six grade-level STEM projects designed to help students build a new vision for the school’s future.

The Beechwood History and Future Project

$10,000 » Pittsburgh Public Schools, 2015 Spark project support

The Beechwood History and Future Project, a project of Pittsburgh Public Schools, was a school-wide plan for students, staff, and the community to investigate and celebrate the history of Beechwood School. The information gathered as students investigated the history of the school through six grade level STEM projects was used to build a new vision for the school’s future. The projects were planned with input and ideas from students with technical support from teachers, an Apple Educator, and community partners such as Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh History and Landmark, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Mobile FABLab

Enabling materials, technology, and elementary-level FABLab curriculum to be brought around the region for summer and after-school programming.

Mobile FABLab

$15,000 » Elizabeth Forward School District, 2015 Spark project support

Mobile FABLab, a project of the Elizabeth Forward School District, created a mobile maker lab endorsed by MIT’s Fab Lab program research, enabling materials, technology, and elementary-level curriculum to be brought around the region for summer and after-school programming. A playbook that included elementary level maker lab curriculum as well as information on how to build a mobile FABLab supplemented the mobile lab to deepen engagement.

Architecture Learning Network

Guiding youth through online and in-person programs from five regional program partners with a focus on collaboration, social justice, technology, and environmental responsibility.

Architecture Learning Network

$31,000, 2016 City of Learning project support

Architecture Learning Network, a project of Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Museum of Art, Assemble, Fallingwater, and Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, involved youth directly in the process of making in order to motivate them to take greater responsibility in their world. The pathway had six specialized playlists comprised of programs throughout the Pittsburgh region and online initiatives that focused on collaboration, social justice, technology, and environmental responsibility.

Expanding Learning Pathways at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Enabling students to gain access to specialized maker equipment and innovative programming with community partners representing various cultural, tech, and arts organizations.

Expanding Learning Pathways at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

$31,000 » Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 2016 City of Learning project support

Expanding Learning Pathways at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, a project of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, created learning pathways for teens using digital badging at five additional Library locations while bolstering the process of badging that was already in place. Youth and Library staff at the five new sites gained access to specialized Maker equipment and innovative programming with community partners representing various cultural, tech, and arts organizations.

Introduction to Solidworks and Design

Combining the efforts of four partners’ FIRST Robotics Competition teams to teach youth computer aided design (CAD) in order to design parts and create new mechanisms through 3D printing and rapid prototyping.

Introduction to Solidworks and Design

$19,000, 2016 City of Learning project support

Introduction to Solidworks and Design, a project of Carnegie Mellon University, Sarah Heinz House, City Charter High School, and University of Pittsburgh, combined the efforts of the four partners’ FIRST Robotics Competition teams to teach youth computer aided design (CAD), specifically Solidworks, in order to design parts and create mechanisms from assembly of parts. When completed, youth were able to fabricate their parts using 3D printing, local machine shops, and other rapid prototyping technologies.

Post-Secondary Readiness Pathway

Developing a clear pathway toward post-secondary success through thoughtful planning, self reflection, and steady academic progress toward high school graduation.

Post-Secondary Readiness Pathway

$31,000 » Homewood Children’s Village, 2016 City of Learning project support

Post-Secondary Readiness Pathway, a project of Homewood Children’s Village, laid out a clear route toward college or other post-secondary placement. The project not only helped students understand graduation requirements but also guided them in meeting these requirements by measuring academic performance and attendance, completing community service, and exposing the students to different colleges and careers via field trips. The resulting Post-Secondary Readiness Badge helped youth to easily convey the experiences they had undertaken in preparation for their post-secondary endeavors.

Young Conservationist Connected Learning Pathway

Combining youth program offerings from four local outdoor education organizations to bring different lenses to outdoor learning and unlock summer job and scholarship opportunities.

Young Conservationist Connected Learning Pathway

$41,000, 2016 City of Learning project support

Young Conservationist Connected Learning Pathway, a project of the Student Conservation Association, GTECH Strategies, Venture Outdoors, and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, combined youth offerings from each of the partner organizations to bring different lenses to outdoor learning. Completion of the playlist unlocked several paid and unpaid summer opportunities with all four partner organizations along with the Young Conservationist Badge. Youth who earned the Young Conservationist badge as well as the Conservation Leadership Corps XP unlocked a scholarship to be on an Student Conservation Association National Summer Crew.

Youth Leading Change

Connecting and expanding knowledge of media making and digital storytelling to enable youth to use digital media as a platform for change.

Youth Leading Change

$21,000 » Duquesne University, 2016 City of Learning project support

Youth Leading Change, a project of Duquesne University in partnership with Sisters eS.T.E.A.M., Gwen’s Girls, Amil Cook, and Power(ed) by Grace, highlighted the variety of ways that digital media could be used to connect and expand the knowledge of youth. The playlist additionally helped youth understand the collective impact of media making and storytelling, enabling them to use the same tools as a platform for change.

CLP Game Design Week

Teaching beginning video game design to help youth design characters, build levels, and make their own video game controllers.

CLP Game Design Week

$8,000 » Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 2016 Rec2Tech project support

CLP Game Design Week, a project of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, worked across departments and areas of expertise to provide youth programming focused on game design at Lincoln-Lemington’s Paulson Center for Rec2Tech Demo Week. Game design allowed youth the chance to flex creative muscles and work as a team. The result of the program was a playable final product that could be shared at the Rec2Tech showcase event. The project’s space transformation involved team work stations that were identified by a group of tables or desks with colored tablecloths, paper, pens, iPads, and Bloxels kits.

Rec2Tech Robotics

Combining art-making and drone photography to enable youth to document their community.

Rec2Tech Robotics

$8,000 » Assemble, 2016 Rec2Tech project support

Rec2Tech - Robotics, a project of Assemble, partnered with local experts from the YMCA programs to lead a student exploration of identity as to identify one’s self, one’s space, and one’s community. This ultimately led to the definition of a space for creativity within the Ormsby Recreation Center on the South Side. Students developed traditional art making and computer programing skills to start to overcome challenges they faced, such as overcoming physical and socio-economic barriers. The project was a tangible interactive exhibit and learning experience all in one.

Sisters e S.T.E.A.M. Biology

Exploring biology and medical science, from anatomy to nutrition, through innovative Sisters e S.T.E.A.M. programming.

Sisters e S.T.E.A.M. Biology

$8,000 » Duquesne University, 2016 Rec2Tech project support

Sisters e S.T.E.A.M. Biology, a project of Duquesne University, promoted the empowerment of youth through inquiry-based, hands-on science learning that incorporated real world applications. The Rec2Tech Demo week activities introduced youth to the world of Biology and the importance of loving themselves from the inside out. The project’s space transformation involved a lab space that was color coded to mimic the heart, with inquiry-based instruction happening simultaneously in a deoxygenated path and an oxygenated path that each student experienced daily.

SocialVR Workshop

Empowering youth to capture 360˚ images of their neighborhood to build a virtual reality experience.

SocialVR Workshop

$2,350 » IRL Labs LLC, 2016 Rec2Tech project support

SocialVR Workshop, a project of IRL Labs LLC, was a workshop that took place during Rec2Tech Demo Week. The workshop captured 360 images and video, explored virtual reality storytelling, and created an immersive experience using SocialVR. Social VR is a browser-based interactive design tool that allows non-technical users ages 8+ to create personalized virtual reality experiences.

Tech Solutions for Greener Living

Using engineering to create a self-watering greenhouse out of upcycled materials.

Tech Solutions for Greener Living

$8,000 » TechShop Pittsburgh, 2016 Rec2Tech project support

Tech Solutions for Greener Living, a project of TechShop Pittsburgh, promoted community health through maker-based learning during Rec2Tech Demo Week. Using creative design and engineering techniques, students tackled hands-on challenges geared toward gardening in urban spaces while collaborating on versatile projects that accommodate various ages and skill levels. Students identified issues of city living, then brainstormed, prototyped, and created solutions to problems of urban communities—such as air quality and food deserts—while beautifying the spaces they loved. The project’s space transformation involved creating workstations, group work space, two project hubs, a lounge area/conference space, and a Research and Design Hub.

412Build Alumni in Residence

Supporting program alumni to build on the skills they acquired in the 412Build program in order to successfully ideate, develop, and launch a small business.

412Build Alumni in Residence

$5,000 » Innovation Works, 2016 Remake Learning project support

412Build Alumni in Residence, a project of Innovation Works, was an eight-week summer program for primarily at-risk and underserved youth ages 16-18 to learn about and become actively engaged in entrepreneurship with a focus on maker skills. The Alumni in Residence program provided students with support to build on the skills they acquired in the 412Build program in order to successfully ideate, develop, and launch a small business. Participating alumni additionally served as mentors for the incoming class of 412Build.

The Architecture of Life: A Summer Experience

Teaching teens the foundations of architecture and urban design through a summer program that highlights STEAM principles and career exploration.

The Architecture of Life: A Summer Experience

$10,000 » LIFE Male STEAM Academy, 2016 Remake Learning project support

The Architecture of Life - A Summer Experience, a project of L.I.F.E. Male STEAM Academy, was a summer enrichment initiative for young men that taught principles of architecture and urban design through STEAM principles and career exploration. Through this summer pilot program, young men explored careers they were interested in and proposed designs for the work environments of their selected profession. With guidance from Drafting Dreams, the young men utilized architectural software in order to best propose their designs using architectural drafting, modeling, and building information.

Green City Remix

Interweaving historical research with social change and design to support youth in developing an installation at the Heinz History Center.

Green City Remix

$10,000 » Green Building Alliance, 2016 Remake Learning project support

Green City Remix, a project of Green Building Alliance, interweaved historical research with social change and design. Cohorts of high school learners actively constructed Pittsburgh’s environmental Smoke Control campaign through archival research, analyzed it for social change strategies, and applied their knowledge to issues of importance to them. Participants remixed what they learned into an installation that was on display at the Heinz History Center. Through this experience, learners improved their historical thinking skills, built their critical understanding of change, and creatively visualized their learning with hands-on making.

Preservation Podcasts

Connecting history with technology as students gain first-hand experience working with professional recording equipment while telling the story of their neighborhood from their own perspective.

Preservation Podcasts

$10,000 » Young Preservationists Association, 2016 Remake Learning project support

Preservation Podcasts, a project of Young Preservationists Association, were walking tour podcasts that highlighted high school students’ knowledge of the Northside of Pittsburgh. The project connected history with technology as students gained first-hand experience working with professional recording equipment while telling the story of their neighborhood from their own perspective. The resulting podcasts additionally served as a way to promote the history of the Northside to the general public in an accessible way.

Zelda Pito Emerging Artist Fellowship

Focusing on interdisciplinary arts, liberation (individual freedom), and critical thinking in a student-centered environment that emphasizes community, collaboration, and creativity.

Zelda Pito Emerging Artist Fellowship

$10,000 » Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, 2016 Remake Learning project support

Zelda Pito Emerging Artist Fellowship, a project of Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, was a three-week summer intensive designed to provide Pittsburgh Public High School students with a post-high school preparatory learning experience. The fellowship focused on interdisciplinary arts, liberation (individual freedom), and critical thinking in a student-centered environment that emphasized community, collaboration, and creativity. An ensemble of professional artists and creative leaders facilitated workshops and seminars for ZPEAF participants along the Penn Ave Corridor as students worked to develop professional art portfolios and produce a culminating public showcase.

Brothers and Sisters Emerging Digital Literacy Training and Career Enhancement Project

Providing new and expanded digital lab facilities, computer literacy training, and mentorship for youth and families in Garfield.

Brothers and Sisters Emerging Digital Literacy Training and Career Enhancement Project

$10,000 » Brothers and Sisters Emerging, 2017 My Brother’s Keeper project support

Brothers and Sisters Emerging (BASE) Digital Literacy Training and Career Enhancement Project, a project of Brothers and Sisters Emerging, prepared young African-American men for employment and training opportunities through peer mentoring, resume development, and interview skills training. B.A.S.E. obtained input from the young men in terms of the needs and interests through initial assessment surveys, peer mentoring groups, and training sessions. They also coordinated presenters to speak with participants about their experiences growing up in Garfield, the challenges they faced, and where they are now. Computer Reach provided 8 hours of Digital Literacy training over four sessions along with a digital literacy assessment.

College Tech Connect: Music Technology Dual Enrollment Program

Hosting digital media courses for college credit, reducing barriers to college enrollment, and providing ongoing mentorship for youth in Homewood.

College Tech Connect: Music Technology Dual Enrollment Program

$10,000 » YMCA Greater Pittsburgh, 2017 My Brother’s Keeper project support

College Tech Connect: Music Technology Dual Enrollment Program, a project of the Homewood Brushton YMCA, partnered with Community College of Allegheny to offer an entry level college course designed to support young people of color ages 16-24, particularly those interested in music technology and transitioning into college. The program strengthened the pathway from high school to college by eliminating financial and other barriers for young people of color interested in music, media, and technology-related fields. The course, Introduction to Music Technology was offered in the Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 semesters and took place at the Homewood Brushton YMCA Lighthouse Teen Center.

MBK Digital Literacy and QUEST for Real Life Success

Increasing access to technology and promoting digital-based entrepreneurship in City and County neighborhoods.

MBK Digital Literacy and QUEST for Real Life Success

$10,000 » Will Allen Foundation, 2017 My Brother’s Keeper project support

MBK Digital Literacy and QUEST for Real Life Success, a project of Will Allen Foundation, partnered with Junior Achievement to give African-American male high school students ongoing opportunities to develop and sharpen their skills related to job readiness, entrepreneurship, professional networking, and business planning. The project brought the Junior Achievement curriculum to students at Clayton Academy, Holy Family Academy, and Perry Traditional Academy in order to create, fine tune, and eventually launch their collaborative business ideas and solutions.

Ryan Arts Digital Literacy Labs and Coding Club

Developing STEM opportunities, enhancing 21st Century skills, and providing career exploration support for youth in McKees Rocks.

Ryan Arts Digital Literacy Labs and Coding Club

$10,000 » Focus on Renewal, 2017 My Brother’s Keeper project support

Ryan Arts Digital Literacy Labs and Coding Club, a project of Focus on Renewal, hosted a weekly Youth Coding Club that focused on building webpages and websites while also providing independent digital literacy lab hours where youth could participate in both structured guided lessons and open lab hours with a Digital Labs Tutor. The new Digital Literacy Lab helped serve more community members by providing free computer skill and media workshops along with easy access to resources needed to apply for jobs.

Skills To Live By

Developing effective marketing, recruiting, and precision machine skills training relevant to the needs of the Hazelwood community.

Skills To Live By

$10,000 » Center of Life, 2017 My Brother’s Keeper project support

Skills To Live By, a project of Center of Life, worked with New Century Careers to better address 21st century job training in Hazelwood. Center of Life and New Century Careers partnered to develop effective marketing, recruitment, and easily accessible skills training tailored to high school students, recent graduates, and young men in Hazelwood. Eligible youth were enrolled in New Century Careers’ M2K Quick-Train machinist training program, a time-shortened pre-apprenticeship program that offered classroom and hands-on machining training to prepare trainees for entry-level positions in precision machining.