kid@stemania:~$ why do bridges stay up?
→ let’s find out.
Too many kids are told “not now” when they ask how the world works. STEMania Foundation builds a place where it’s safe to be curious — and brings hands-on robotics, engineering, and software to kids who’d never encounter it otherwise. Real mentors, real projects, and an answer that’s always “let’s find out.”
Current programs
FIRST Tech Challenge
High-school robotics, grades 7–12
FIRST Lego League
Middle-school robotics, grades 4–8
Congressional App Challenge
Software builds, grades 9–12 · 2025 FL-17 winner
STEM Fair series
Original science research, grades 4–12
Current programs
FIRST Tech Challenge
High-school robotics, grades 7–12
FIRST Lego League
Middle-school robotics, grades 4–8
Congressional App Challenge
Software builds, grades 9–12 · 2025 FL-17 winner
STEM Fair series
Original science research, grades 4–12
The Foundation runs four competitive STEM programs from our Sarasota program site — robotics teams for both age brackets, a software-build series tied to a national competition, and a science-fair mentorship track. Every program is coached by Foundation volunteers and funded by the community.
Robotics · Grades 7–12
High-school robotics. Students build a competition robot from a yearly kit, write its autonomous and tele-op code, and defend it at regional FTC tournaments. The Sarasota team is competing through the 2026–2027 season.
Robotics · Grades 4–8
NewMiddle-school robotics. Younger students build a Lego-based robot for the season's challenge, plus an innovation research project they present alongside their robot at regional events. New program — launching this season.
Software · Grades 9–12
Students build a real software project — mobile, web, or desktop — and enter the U.S. Congress's annual student app competition, judged district-by-district. STEMania mentors guide students from idea to demo and submission video.
🏆 2025 FL-17 winner
Cognitive Care Assistant — built by Corbin Craig (CEO, programming) and Connor Craig (VP of Product, deck + videos). Corbin now coaches the next STEMania cohort. Demo video on the project site.
Research · Grades 4–12
NewOriginal-research projects for county and regional science & engineering fairs. Students pick a question, design an experiment, run trials, and build a board + paper they defend in front of judges. New program — launching this season.
STEMania's Congressional App Challenge series is coached by Corbin Craig, who won the 2025 CAC for Florida's 17th district with Cognitive Care Assistant — a project he built with his younger brother Connor Craig. Corbin (CEO) led the programming; Connor (VP of Product) led the presentation deck and demo videos (the demo is embedded on the project site). Corbin now coaches the next cohort of STEMania students through their own CAC submissions.
Make hands-on STEM education accessible to every child — with a particular focus on students in under-resourced schools. STEMania Foundation is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 33-3511828) classified under NTEE B90, Educational Services.
K-12 students, grades 4–12, with priority on those who wouldn't otherwise have access to robotics, software, or science-fair programming. We work with partner educators and provide scholarships, equipment, and curriculum so any student can join.
Questions about a program, sponsorship, or volunteering? Email curtis@stemania.org — we read every message.
“STEMania” is two separate organizations that share a name and a mission but operate independently:
Nonprofit · this site
STEMania Foundation
A 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 33-3511828) that funds and runs free and scholarship STEM programs for students who would otherwise go without. Supported by donations and grants.
For-profit company
STEMania Inc.
A separate company that offers paid STEM classes and camps. Visit stemania.com ↗
Donations fund robotics kits, science-fair equipment, curriculum licenses, teacher stipends, and the per-student scholarships that keep our programs open to every child. Stripe handles every card transaction — we never see or store card details.
Many donors prefer to send through their bank — no card fees, no third-party processor between you and the Foundation. We receive 100% of what you send. Scan the code with your banking app to give in seconds.
Prefer to skip card fees? Send your gift directly through your bank with Zelle. Every dollar goes to the Foundation.
Recipient
STEMANIA FOUNDATION, INC
Zelle profile: stemania-foundation
Open your banking app, choose Send Money with Zelle, then scan this code.
Tax receipt:Zelle gifts don't trigger our automatic IRS receipt email. After you send, email curtis@stemania.org with the date and amount and we'll send a written acknowledgment back.