STEMarts Lab is proud to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious grant and designation as a Google Code Next Affiliate for the next three years. This honor underscores STEMarts Lab’s commitment to providing equitable and innovative STEAM education by integrating art, science, and technology to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers.
As part of this partnership, STEMarts Lab is launching an exciting Creative Coding course—a free program designed for high school students. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of programming through the lens of art, animation, and generative design, using the p5.js JavaScript library.
“This collaboration with Google Code Next allows us to bring engaging and culturally relevant computer science education to students in Northern New Mexico,” said Agnes Chavez, Founder and Creative Director of STEMarts Lab. “Through this workshop, students will learn coding in a creative, inclusive, and inspiring environment, while opening doors to higher levels of coding education and future career opportunities in STEM and the arts.”
About the Creative Coding Workshop
The Creative Coding Workshop will take place over nine Saturday sessions, beginning January 11, 2025, through May 3, 2025, at the UNM Taos Klauer Campus/UNM Taos HIVE.
The program is free for 10–12 high school students and will be led by industry experts, including:
Ian Harrison, 3D artist, animator, and programmer, serving as the Lead Instructor.
The curriculum guides students through foundational programming concepts such as variables, loops, and functions, encouraging them to apply these skills in creating interactive artwork, animations, and generative designs. Upon completion, students will receive Google Code Next T-shirts, certificates, and become eligible for ongoing STEMarts Lab internships and participation on the STEMarts Creative Team, contributing to mixed-reality SciArt installations.
This is the first year of the Creative Coding Workshop, with plans to introduce advanced-level workshops in the coming years for students interested in further developing their skills.
About Google Code Next
Google Code Next is committed to closing the learning gap in computer science education by providing free, engaging, and accessible programming for high school students. The program’s goal is to cultivate the next generation of tech leaders, equip them with the skills for rewarding careers in technology, and empower them for the future of learning and work.
Code Next achieves this mission by:
Partnering with community-based organizations like STEMarts Lab.
Meeting students where they are, in their communities.
Providing the tools and technology necessary for success in CS education and STEM careers.
Through this partnership, STEMarts Lab joins a national network of innovative affiliate programs designed to break down barriers in computer science education and inspire students to become leaders in tech.
Empowering Students Through Art and Technology
STEMarts Lab has a long history of integrating art, science, and technology into transformative educational experiences. This partnership with Google Code Next marks an exciting new chapter in STEMarts Lab’s mission to empower the next generation with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“The Creative Coding Workshop is more than just teaching students to code,” said Chavez. “It’s about empowering them to explore the intersection of art, society, and technology, unlock their creative potential, and envision themselves as future innovators and changemakers in the 21st-century workforce.”
Students who excel in the program will have opportunities to advance their skills and join the STEMarts Creative Team in a paid role, contributing to cutting-edge mixed-reality SciArt installations and inspiring other students to explore creative coding
