Fife-Penn STEM & Computer Science Academy

Empowering the Next Generation of Engineers

The Fife–Penn STEM & Computer Science Academy delivers free, high-quality after-school STEM and computer science programming to K–8 students in Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia schools. Through a sustained partnership between Penn Engineering’s Cora Ingrum Center for Community and Outreach (CIC) and generous support from donors Mark Fife (W’78, PAR’09) and Lori Fife (CAS “80), the program deploys trained Penn Engineering student instructors to lead hands-on clubs focused on coding, robotics, engineering design, and math enrichment.

The Academy builds foundational computing and STEM skills in a supportive, peer-led environment, empowering young learners to explore technology confidently, foster curiosity, and pursue future pathways in STEM. By partnering directly with Philadelphia public and charter schools, the program creates reliable weekly enrichment sessions, promotes mentorship from Penn students, and strengthens long-term school relationships to expand equitable access to transformative STEM education.

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The Program At A Glance

The Fife-Penn STEM & Computer Science Academy empowers Philadelphia’s K–8 students through free, hands-on coding, robotics, and engineering clubs led by Penn Engineering mentors.

Overview

Cost: 100% Free for schools and families.
Location: Directly in your school (No transportation barriers).
Who: Students in grades K–8.
Primary Focus: Computational thinking, robotics, and engineering design.

Our Curriculum & Learning Themes

We use beginner-friendly platforms like Scratch, Python, and professional robotics kits to explore:

Coding Fundamentals: Master loops, variables, and logic.
Engineering Design: Build, test, and iterate through real-world prototypes.
Applied Math: Solve logic puzzles and spatial reasoning challenges.
Robotics: Learn how sensors and motors interact with the physical world.

Instruction Style: Active participation. We don’t just lecture; we build, test, and collaborate.

What Makes Us Unique

Relatable Role Models: Students learn from mentors currently pursuing STEM degrees.
Embedded in schools: Clubs take place directly within partner schools, removing transportation barriers and increasing accessibility for students.
Focus on equitable access: The Academy prioritizes schools serving communities that historically have limited access to high-quality STEM enrichment.

Key Dates

Fall Semester: Launches in late September or early October and runs through December.
Spring Semester: Launches in late January or early February and runs through May.
Applications: Distributed in the Summer for Fall programming and in December for Spring programming (completed pre-semester).

“In 2017 we started our work with Penn Engineering to bring the skills needed for success in the future to K-8 children in Philadelphia. Thousands of inner-city students have participated in the Fife-Penn after school coding/STEM/robotics clubs. The mentoring and teaching provided by the Penn Engineering community has been an invaluable experience for both the K-8 and Penn students.”

– Mark Fife (W’78, PAR’09) and Lori Fife (CAS “80)

Program Administration

Chanda Jefferson: Director of Community Engagement and Outreach
Dominique Thomas: Program Manager
Kayan Mohamed: Technical Program Coordinator

The Fife–Penn Academy operates through formal partnerships with Philadelphia public schools, charter schools, and select regional school partners.

Partner schools collaborate with Penn Engineering to:
Identify appropriate student groups (grades K–8)
Coordinate club scheduling and classroom space
Support student attendance and communication with families
Provide on-site supervision and logistical support

Penn Engineering staff maintain ongoing communication with school coordinators and principals to ensure program alignment, smooth operations, and continuous program improvement.