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.