NEWS RELEASE

July 9, 2026: Philadelphia, PA: The Pressley STEM Foundation (www.pressleystem.org) finished its 3-day Boot Camp program which ran from July 7th to the 9th.

​

This year’s annual bootcamp program (the second one for Pressley STEM) gave students hands-on experience in semiconductor design and microchip programming.

​

Students were given instruction and definitions regarding semiconductors and worked as a team to successfully design. Over the course of three days students gained confidence in their ability for critical thinking and learned how to program microchips. Instructors who ran the event are scientists themselves and provided guidance and taught skills needed to help them become passionate about science and technology education.

​

Building on the success of the STEM Bootcamp program, the group was invited on the second day to take the boot camp to the streets, literally. The John F. Street Community Center invited our students to visit and share what they had learned on the first day of the boot camp.

​

Pressley STEM students taught more than 30 students at the Community Center how to design semiconductors and program microchips. By the end of the event, the Community Center students were programming their own microchips and designing semiconductors. The John F. Street Community Center is in the heart of North Philadelphia. We thank the Directors and Staff of the Community Center for generously allowing us the opportunity to share with their students.

​

“This was a great opportunity to go out into the community and show what kids can do with STEM activities,” said Mrs. Carolyn Pressley, Pressley STEM Foundation CEO. “We are passionate about being part of the community, spreading awareness and the joy of science to all kids who are interested in learning.”

​

We are growing, volunteers are needed and students are invited to become student teachers.

 

Pressley STEM Students and Instructors at the John F Street Community Center.

From left to right, front row: Nahla Kersey, Kaedon Corey, Camari Taylor, Dayvon Brinson, Mr. Keith Young (Ecotek) and from left to right back row: Mrs. Carolyn Pressley, Allure Preston, Asiyah Bronner, and Carter Ravenell

 

Special recognition goes to the following students for participating in the Pressley Family STEM Foundation Boot Camp 2026:

Dayvon Brinson, Asiyah Bronner, Kaedon Corey, Nahla Kersey, Allure Preston, Carter Ravenell, and Camari Taylor. Well done, scholars! We look forward to next year and to spreading and sharing knowledge with other potential scholars in the community.

​

About Pressley STEM Foundation (www.pressleystem.org)

Pressley STEM Foundation is a nonprofit based in North Philadelphia dedicated to inspiring and empowering children and teens ages 7–17 through hands-on STEM programs and activities. The organization is best known for its Science Saturday classes, held on the last Saturday of each month and for their annual Boot Camp, offering kids a safe, fun environment to build confidence and creativity while learning.

​

About John F. Street Community Center

The John F. Street Community Center (located at 1100 Poplar Street, Philadelphia, PA) is a vibrant Philadelphia Housing Authority Neighborhood Networks Center offering a variety of educational, employment, and social programs for local residents.

 

For more information email us at: pressleystemfoundation@gmail.com or call (267) 279-9794.