Free STEM resources and hands-on workshops for kids, made by students.
Free project guides, course paths, printable worksheets, and browser labs you can start today, plus free engineering, coding, and AI workshops at public libraries for students in 2nd grade and up.
Always free · Grades 2+ · English & Spanish
Why Avanza STEM Exists
Avanza STEM began as my Eagle Scout project, where I organized four STEM workshops at local libraries. I wanted to give kids a chance to explore engineering for themselves, so I developed activities where they could design, build, and test bridges using inexpensive materials.
After completing my Eagle project, I've decided to keep going, and since then, Avanza STEM has grown to 30+ workshops, reaching over 300 students. I (with some help from my friend) built this website with free projects in engineering, coding, and other STEM subjects so students can continue learning outside our workshops. Feel free to look around!
More recently, we've started sharing our workshop materials with libraries across Latin America. By providing Spanish-language presentations and step-by-step guides, we're making it easier for librarians and volunteers to bring these activities to their own communities.
The goal has stayed the same since those first four workshops: give more kids the chance to discover an interest in STEM, regardless of the resources available to them.
Read our full storyFree and Accessible
Our workshops and educational resources are free to use.
Hands-On Learning
Kids learn by building, experimenting, testing their ideas, and making improvements.
Beyond Our Workshops
We create resources that other libraries and educators can use to run STEM activities in their own communities.
Who It's For
Avanza STEM is open to any student in 2nd grade and up (roughly ages 7–14). Workshops are always free, taught in English and Spanish, and held at partner public libraries across New Jersey, open to families, schools, and community groups.
300+
Students reached in person
30+
Workshops held
800+
Weekly website visitors
via Vercel Analytics
393
Real workshop photos
50K+
Google appearances for STEM resources
As of September 2026
What Students Actually Do
The series is three workshops, usually held about a week apart.
In the workshops
See upcoming workshops
Try these at home
Browse all projects
Try It Yourself, Right Now
These are the same kinds of activities from our workshops. No login, no install. Just click and try.
In their own words
What people are saying
Partner libraries and community groups describe the Maker Mindset Series in their own posts, to their own communities.
The Maker Mindset Series, hosted by Liam Salcedo & Tommy Qi, high school students from Seton Hall Prep, brought students together at The Library of the Chathams for three fun, hands-on STEM workshops. … More than just learning about engineering, coding, and AI, the program gave students the ability to be curious, creative, & collaborative in a welcoming community space.
A big thank you to Liam Salcedo and Tommy Qi, two rising seniors at Seton Hall Prep, for bringing “The Maker Mindset” STEM series to the Roseland Library! During this three-part series, participants ages 8 and up learned how to build and test suspension bridges, Python coding basics, and how artificial intelligence works through fun and interactive approaches.
YA Creates: Maker Mindset Series where students explore engineering, coding and artificial intelligence through hands-on interactive activities with Liam, our volunteer.
For his Eagle Community Service Project, Liam, 17, planned and ran a series of Saturday STEM workshops for kids at the Clifton Public Library last December and January. Liam's goal was to give local children access to engaging STEM opportunities they might not otherwise have access to. … He used it as a springboard to launch Avanza STEM, a youth-led, free STEM resource offering workshops and more, focused on reaching Hispanic and underrepresented students.
Get Involved
Whether you're a student, a parent, or a teacher, there's a way to be part of Avanza STEM.
Students & Families
Want to join a workshop? They run at Clifton Public Library, Allwood Branch Library, Library of the Chathams, Roseland Free Public Library, Wayne Public Library, Verona Public Library, and Little Falls Public Library. Find one near you and sign up, free.
Find a Workshop Near YouSchools, Teachers & Libraries
Want Avanza STEM at your school or library? We bring the materials, lesson plans, and instructors. You bring the students.
Host a Workshop