Building belonging: How GeekWire’s STEM Educator of the Year uses Legos to bridge the tech gap

Lead

Project LEDO, a Portland nonprofit that uses Lego robotics to spark STEM interest among low‑income students, was named STEM Educator of the Year at the GeekWire Awards. The recognition highlights the program’s role in filling a gap left by declining school STEM funding.

Context

Operating in a climate where school funds no longer cover vital STEM enrichment, Project LEDO serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade, with a focus on sixth and seventh graders competing in Lego robotics competitions. The nonprofit has grown from a 25‑student summer camp in 2021 to serving 1,500 kids, while also providing school supplies, laptops and food for families in need. It employs seven staff members and contract instructors across multiple sites, and most of its funding comes from individual donors, foundations and corporate support.

Key Data

Since its launch, Project LEDO has served 1,500 children, started with a 25‑student robotics camp, and now maintains a team of seven employees and contract instructors. The program supplies laptops, school supplies, and food to families, and it has been recognized by the Oregon STEM Investment Council. The GeekWire Awards event on May 7 in Seattle’s Showbox SoDo is sponsored by First Tech and Amazon Sustainability, among other corporate partners.

Quotes

Principal Cynthia Kieffer of Portland’s Lent Elementary said the program “serves as a consistent and reliable pillar” in a funding‑tight environment. Eman Abbas of the Iraqi Arabic School noted that students become more engaged in a supportive, welcoming and encouraging environment. Tiffany Dempsey, director at KairosPDX, added that the program “sparks curiosity, fuels innovation and reminds our leaders that they belong in the world of science, technology, engineering and math.” Founder Fidel Ferrer reflected on his own experience, saying, “I didn’t feel a lot of folks that look like me in that field. It was really isolated.” He also described the impact of the robotics contest, saying, “It was such an inspiration to me. They were so, so incredibly good.”

Outlook

With its growing reach and industry recognition, Project LEDO is positioned to strengthen the pipeline of diverse talent for the tech sector, offering future engineers and innovators a foundation in STEM skills and teamwork.