Coding Crew: From Learners to Leaders

K-12 STEAM education

LAUSD (select only if you have a district-wide partnership)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

There is a vast gap between the number of students who need computer science education and the number of teachers prepared to deliver it. Of 3.7 million U.S. teachers, fewer than 5,000 are qualified to teach computer science. In LAUSD alone, over 32,000 students graduate each year without the STEM proficiency needed for careers that increasingly rely on these skills—careers ranging from HVAC and construction to music and design. Coding Crew addresses this by equipping non-specialist educators with the tools to teach coding effectively, helping students learn STEM in accessible, culturally relevant ways. By empowering students to teach peers and siblings, we foster both mastery and mentorship. We aim to expand the STEM-capable workforce, support economic mobility, and build a more equitable future by transforming how and when students access STEM education.

This grant will support the digitization of Coding Crew, our successful peer-led coding and digital literacy program for Title I schools. Built around Scratch, a free online platform, the program empowers students to teach one another and extend learning to siblings at home using school-issued Chromebooks.
Our proof of concept has demonstrated success, but current delivery methods—live Zoom trainings, early draft videos, and printed-only materials—limit impact. Teachers face scheduling challenges, noisy classrooms, and lack replay access. We have only one trainer, making scalability difficult.
Funding will allow us to create scripted, professionally edited video lessons, broken into chapters with visuals for better comprehension. We will digitize all materials and provide on-demand access so teachers can learn on their own schedule. This evergreen format reduces staff burden and increases adoption by removing time and tech barriers.
This project is a critical next step in STEAM education, delivering future-ready skills in coding and digital literacy that students will need through 2050 and beyond.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will see more students in underserved communities confidently engaging with coding and digital tools from an early age. Teachers will have flexible, high-quality training at their fingertips, allowing them to bring STEAM learning into their classrooms without added stress. Our digitized Coding Crew program will be adopted widely across Title I schools, creating a ripple effect of peer-led learning and student empowerment. Over time, we aim to expand the program across the county and beyond, building a future-ready generation equipped with the coding and digital literacy skills essential for success in the evolving workforce.