From Raspberry Pi to Python: IT Division Inspires Next Generation

Berkeley Lab’s IT Division opens its doors every spring to some of its youngest visitors, groups of energetic second graders eager to explore the world of computers, coding, and networking. For one week each year, students from local elementary school, Sylvia Mendez elementary school come to the Lab for an immersive experience designed to introduce them to STEM in a hands-on, engaging, and memorable way.

The annual outreach program, which has been running for more than a decade, is designed to make technology approachable, interactive, and fun. Instead of simply hearing about STEM careers, students get to experience them firsthand alongside the scientists, engineers, and IT professionals who help power Berkeley Lab’s mission every day.

“This program is about opening doors,” said Jimmy Mai, Computer Systems Engineer, a longtime volunteer and one of the event’s key organizers. “For many of these students, this may be their first time visiting a scientific institution like Berkeley Lab. We want them to see that technology isn’t just something they use every day. It’s something they can build, explore, and maybe even pursue as a future career.”

The students begin the day exploring computer hardware with Carlos Lopez, learning about the different parts inside a computer by touching and examining real components. One of the biggest highlights is building mini-computers using Kano Kits, Raspberry Pi-based systems that students assemble themselves before immediately jumping into games and activities.

“It’s fascinating to hear the kids already talking about coding languages like Java and Python,” Liliana Michel, (Workstation Support Team Lead) said. What’s so rewarding is helping them connect those ideas to the bigger picture of how technology actually works.

Next, students move into the programming section led by Tuyo Davis, Desktop Systems Specialist, who introduces students to coding concepts through collaborative games and interactive exercises. Students work together to solve challenges before returning to their seats to continue exploring coding through gamified learning tools designed specifically for young learners.

After lunch, the focus shifts to networking with Chris Harwood (Network Engineer) and Nat Stoddard (Network Engineer). In one of the program’s most popular activities, students become part of the network themselves. Acting as “data packets,” they deliver information between locations to demonstrate how networks move information from one place to another. Through movement, teamwork, and problem-solving, students gain a surprisingly sophisticated understanding of how digital communication works.

While the children participate in the program, parent chaperones are also introduced to Berkeley Lab through guided campus tours, including stops at facilities such as the Advanced Light Source, the Joint Genome Institute, and the Flex Lab. For many families, it is their first exposure to the Lab and the wide range of scientific research happening on campus.

The event would not be possible without the dedication of roughly 20 volunteers from across the Lab who spend days setting up, supporting activities throughout the week, and breaking everything down afterward. Their enthusiasm and commitment continue a tradition of community engagement that has become a hallmark of the IT Division.

More than just a field trip, the program gives students an early glimpse into futures they may not yet know are possible. By combining creativity, mentorship, and hands-on learning, Berkeley Lab’s IT Division continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators starting as early as second grade.