Our mission is to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders

OUR FOUNDERS

Melissa and Lavanya Jawaharlal

The Jawa Sisters

STEM Center USA was founded by sisters Melissa and Lavanya Jawaharlal with a mission to share their love for tinkering and creating. After graduating with degrees in Mechanical Engineering from USC and UC Berkeley, respectively, they focused their attention on exciting the next generation of STEM leaders through hands-on, experiential learning. Using their technical background and love for education, they merged their two passions to create STEM Centers in Claremont and Rancho Cucamonga (and more in the future!). Their goal was to create a comfortable, safe space for students to learn about technology and also take their skills to the next level. In addition, they wanted to create meaningful relationships between students and instructors to serve as STEM role models.

STEM Center USA

STEM Center USA offers hands-on, individualized K-12 STEM programs. We make learning fun, meaningful, and long lasting. We work to equip our next generation with life skills including critical thinking, creativity, and a basic understanding of how technology works. Since 2011, STEM Center USA has offered programs throughout Southern California and worldwide reaching over 40,000 students.

STEM Center USA has designed a unique sequence of courses and activities that have been field tested at our centers, classrooms, and community spaces with great success. Today, STEM Center USA offers weekly classes at our Robotics Creativity Centers, virtual programs, custom learning kits, and professional development.

Our story

2011

Lavanya and Melissa Jawaharlal found STEM Center USA in October 2011. Lavanya is a high school senior and Melissa is a junior at USC.
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STEM Center USA opens at a 900 square feet center in Pomona, CA.

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OUR PEDAGOGY + TEACHING STYLE

How We Teach

Guided Discovery

Real learning happens when students experience their own “aha!” moments. Our experiential curriculum gradually increases in difficulty as students learn and help connect new skills together to critically solve problems

Learn-by-Doing

We nudge students to push through points of frustration so they can experience the joys of discovery for themselves. In the classroom, we encourage students to keep ‘reinventing the wheel’—when we experience, we remember.

Excite and Engage

Students learn how to build robots, code programs, and make neat things. We infuse fun into everything we do and work to bring their creative inventions to life! We love boosting their confidence and making their STEM adventure engaging and exciting.

After-school and weekend educational programs

STEM Center USA is a company that provides after-school and weekend educational programs.
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Students learn tech skills including designing robots using materials such as Lego and Erector-like materials, writing code in various programming languages, and hands-on skills such as soldering and 3D printing.

We offer education programs in:

Robotics

3D Printing

Electronics

Game Design

Coding (multiple languages)

Maker and DIY Creations

Skills (soldering, tools)

Creative Robotics

Explore our offerings

Creativity Centers ->

Homeschool ->

Federal Programs ->

Our team consists of mission-driven STEM instructors.

Our instructors

We’ve developed a strong team of highly trained STEM instructors. Our team is focused on developing students, fostering a positive environment, and serving as a role model for your child. All STEM Center USA instructors are trained in our teaching pedagogy, relevant course material, and classroom/camp management.

Our in-person instructors include college students at local universities including Harvey Mudd College, Cal Poly Pomona, UC Riverside, Cal State Fullerton, and more. Our virtual instructors sign-in from all over the country, including team members from Harvard, UPenn, and Georgetown.

Join our team