Playing At Learning

Playing At Learning is a Northern California 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to inspiring K–12 students through hands-on robotics and STEM programs. As the regional partner for youth robotics programs like FIRST®, we serve over 10,000 students annually across the Bay Area, Central Valley, and Northern California.

Through our team-based robotics programs and our dedicated STEM facility, The Play Space in San Jose, we turn natural curiosity into technical skill, confidence, and real-world leadership.

We provide a continuous STEM learning pathway for kids aged 4 to 18:

• Early STEM Exploration (Grades K–4): Hands-on building and teamwork exercises that introduce fundamental engineering concepts before gender and social stereotypes take hold.
• Robotics & Research Challenges (Grades 4–8): Students build and code autonomous robots to solve challenges while researching real-world problems and presenting solutions to industry judges.
• Advanced Engineering (Grades 7–12): High school teams design, program, and manage industrial-grade metal robots using metal hardware, Java coding, and CAD software, running their teams like small tech startups.
• The Play Space: Our San Jose facility serves as a shared makerspace, tournament venue, and equipment loan hub—ensuring events and teams are provided with the tools that they need

We focus heavily on breaking down financial and systemic barriers in STEM education:

• 10,000+ Students inspired every year across 1,000+ teams.
• 35% Female Participation—significantly higher than typical tech workforce averages.
• 2,000+ Volunteers Mobilized as judges, referees, and mentors, contributing over 100,000 volunteer hours annually.
• Targeted Financial Support: We provide grants, starter kits, and equipment loans to Title I schools and underrepresented communities.

Students leave our programs not just with technical skills like coding and CAD design, but with essential leadership abilities: project management, public speaking, conflict resolution, and teamwork.

Playing At Learning is a Platinum recognized nonprofit at Candid (formerly GuideStar). This means that our organization has achieved the highest possible level of recognition for transparency, accountability, and public disclosure. This status places our nonprofit among the top 1% of nonprofits nationwide that actively share measurable outcomes and strategic goals with the public. Learn more at candid.org