10850 Perry Highway

Wexford PA 15090

MySTEM Academy offers a one-of-a-kind experience, empowering kids to identify, understand, and design STEM solutions for real-world challenges. Our mission is to prepare young learners to become future innovators and leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math.

We provide in-person summer camps and after-school programs for kids aged 8-12, with a focus on robotics and coding. Backed by 14 years of experience mentoring robotics teams, our students have competed in regional and international events, earning numerous prestigious awards and scholarships along the way.

Founded by an engineer and a former faculty member of Carnegie Mellon University, MySTEM Academy has successfully trained over 6,000 children in STEM over the past 14 years, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for innovation.

MySTEM Academy 2025 Programs

Robotics Teams

2024-2025 FLL Robotics Team

FLL Robotics Team 412 Power Crew earned the prestigious 2nd Place Champion’s Award at the Western PA competition on December 7, 2024, placed 2nd for the Champion’s Award at the Pennsylvania State Championship on February 15, 2025, and was a Rising All-Stars Finalist at the World Festival in Houston on April 19, 2025.

 

The team investigated the problem of declining sea urchin predators, which has caused sea urchin overpopulation, leading to the destruction of kelp forests and disruption of the ocean food chain.

 

As a solution, they developed URCHIN-X—an AI-powered robot equipped with image recognition and a gripper to detect and collect sea urchins.

 

 

2024-2025 FLL Robotics Teams

MySTEM Academy Teams Pittsburgh π-Rates earned 1st Place for the Innovation Project Award at the Western PA competition on December 7, 2024, placed 5th for the Champions Award at the Pennsylvania State Championship on February 15, 2025, and was a Champions Award Finalist at the Florida Sunshine Invitational on June 28, 2025.

 

The team researched the problem of plastic pollution, which primarily enters the ocean through rivers and storm drains, posing serious threats to marine life and human health.

 

As a solution, they promoted recycling by distributing reusable bags, educated the public through flyers and videos, and designed low-cost, 3D-printed storm drain grates to help prevent plastic waste from reaching waterways.

2024-2025 FLL Robotics Team

The middle school robotics team Band of Steel won 1st Place Champion’s Award at the Western PA competition on December 7, 2024, placed 4th for the Champion’s Award at the Pennsylvania State Championship on February 15, 2025, and was a Breakthrough Award Finalist at the Florida Sunshine Invitational on June 28, 2025.

 

The team investigated the problem of limited public awareness, particularly among children, about the importance of ocean health.

 

To address this, they developed the Total Ocean Awareness Program, which included videos, presentations, a children’s book, interactive demos, and games. Their efforts reached nearly 15,000 people and raised $1,700 for ocean conservation.

"We are happy to have such high quality programs

for kids here in Pittsburgh. Highly recommended!"

Robin Shoop, Director, Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy

Creating leader and innovator for the 21st century

Growing a New Generation

MySTEM Academy was created in 2010 by Maria Yamanaka (Masters degree in Engineering from CMU) and Marcel Bergerman (former faculty at the CMU Robotics Institute).

 

MySTEM Academy mission is to inspire young students to learn and apply STEM by engaging them into hands-on and team-oriented programs that lead to innovation and future leaders.

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© MySTEM Academy 2020, maria@mystemacademy.com, (412) 513-6155