About | iSTEAM Academy

About iSTEAM Academy

Empowering Minds, Unlocking Potential

Our mission in Special Education is to provide everybody who is interested in STEAM with a collaboration space where they can not only gain knowledge, but also improve their hands-on, communication, teamwork, and problem solving skills. We seek to do this through STEAM curriculums specially designed for students with special needs, with a particular focus on those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Our Approach

Through our carefully crafted curriculums, we aim to help special education students discover their interests and talents in STEAM while enhancing their problem-solving abilities and acquiring valuable job-related skills. Our approach is easy to implement and cost-effective, making it feasible to provide a high-quality experience for many students.

ASD and STEAM

At iSTEAM Academy, our primary focus is on empowering students with special needs, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), through our hands-on robotics education programs.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, ASD affects more than 18 out of every 1,000 children over the age of 8. Past research indicates that many of these children gravitate toward STEAM. One such study found that over a third of young adults with an autism spectrum disorder (34.1%) chose a STEM major in college. This rate is significantly higher than that of the general student population (22.8%), indicating a natural affinity for these subjects.

Our Program

Our program is designed to be accessible and engaging for special education students of all ages, with no specific prerequisites required to join. Whether a student is new to robotics or has prior experience, our tailored curriculums provide opportunities for everyone to explore and thrive in the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

Webinar

Below is the recording of our webinar featuring:

Dr. Xue-Jun Kong - MD (Beth Israel, Harvard Medical School)

Andrew Bannish - BrainCo (PM, Harvard Ed. M)

Empowering Communities Through Robotics & Volunteering

On March 1, 2025, iSTEAM Academy successfully hosted the VEX IQ Robotics Competition at St. Brigid Parish, uniting young innovators,...

2024-25 iSTEAM Massachusetts Robotics State Championship

Get ready for an unforgettable day of innovation and excitement! On March 15, 2025 , iSTEAM Academy will host the Massachusetts VEX...

Join the iSTEAM Volunteer Team

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community while fostering innovation, teamwork, and education? Join iSTEAM as a...

2024 iSTEAM VEX IQ Rapid Relay Qualifier Tournament

Event hosted on 12/14/2024

iSTEAM Academy is a non-profit organization based in Burlington, MA.

Founded in 2017 by Edward Yan and Andrew Lu, iSTEAM Academy is committed to addressing the community’s technological needs through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives. As an official VEX partner, iSTEAM has successfully organized over 24 regional robotics competitions, providing students with hands-on experience in engineering and robotics.

Our Mission & Impact

iSTEAM Academy offers 105+ hours of STEAM instruction, supported by a team of 20+ dedicated volunteers. The organization focuses on empowering students with special needs, seniors, and individuals from low-income families by providing them with knowledge, social connections, and practical experience.

Education for Children with Special Needs: Currently supporting 50 children with special needs, iSTEAM provides specialized robotics and coding programs to help them develop logical thinking, teamwork, and self-confidence.
Technology Assistance for Seniors: iSTEAM assists 60 seniors in learning essential digital skills, enabling them to integrate technology into their daily lives.
STEAM Competitions & Activities: Hosting multiple competitions each year, iSTEAM creates opportunities for students to showcase their skills, collaborate in teams, and solve real-world challenges.

Join Us

iSTEAM Academy is a dynamic community for learning and innovation, and we welcome passionate

individuals to join us in advancing STEAM education. If you are enthusiastic about

technology and education, become an iSTEAM volunteer and help us make a difference!