Igniting Futures in STEM: GRRL Tech & Tech Squad
(Science Technology Engineering Math)
At Passion for Learning, we build a more equitable and innovative future through our after-school programs designed to ensure every student has the tools, support, and confidence to thrive. We offer two distinct, year-long program tracks to meet students where they are and champion their unique potential. For 25 weeks each year,
GRRL Tech
and
Tech Squad students engage in after school workshops and complete projects including coding and computer programming, circuitry, electronics, 2D and 3D design and printing, robotics, and engineering.
How Our Core Values Come to Life
Equity: Our GRRL Tech track is dedicated to creating a space for young women to lead and innovate in a field where they are historically underrepresented. Equitable access to advanced technology and mentorship is the foundation of a just future.
Empowerment: We provide the tools for self-driven success. Our students don't just use technology; they command it. Through hands-on projects in coding, robotics, 2D and 3D design, and electronics, students become: Empowered learners who set their own goals, Innovative designers who tackle real-world problems, and Computational thinkers who develop logical solutions.
Our students learn by doing, which increases their confidence and develops their skills. They become the architects of their own futures.
Advocacy: We amplify potential and champion dreams. Students learn from and are inspired by college students and professionals in STEM fields who serve as mentors and role models of achievement. We encourage students to believe in their own potential, pursue aspirations for higher education, and explore tech-driven career paths that they can shape for themselves.
Excellence: Our curriculum is rigorously aligned with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, ensuring students master the roles of Creative Communicators, Knowledge Constructors, and Global Collaborators. From the first line of code to the final project presentation, we cultivate a culture of precision, curiosity, and exceptional quality.
Our programs achieve powerful outcomes, and our students don't just gain skills;
they gain a new vision for their lives. They leave our programs with:
Go2College: Paving Equitable Paths to Higher Education
At P4L, we believe that college is not a distant dream, but a deliberate destination, and our Go2College program demystifies the path to higher education, providing middle school students with the knowledge, confidence, and tools for success.
Ensuring Every Student Sees Their Place in Higher Ed
We begin the college readiness journey early, empowering students to see themselves on a college campus and understand the steps to get there. We actively build a foundation for high school success and lifelong achievement.
Our Core Values in Action
Equity: We believe that every student, regardless of background, deserves the key to higher education. Go2College is offered as a free after-school program, removing financial barriers. By intentionally starting in middle school, we ensure that first-generation and underrepresented students gain early, equitable access to the critical information and insider knowledge that empowers them to compete and succeed.
Empowerment: Our students move from uncertainty to ownership. By researching colleges, matching their interests to careers, and creating promotional portfolios, they become active architects of their own futures. They don't just learn about college; they learn how to position themselves as strong candidates, making informed choices about high school courses and extracurriculars with clear purpose and confidence.
Advocacy: We amplify potential and champion dreams. Students learn from and are inspired by college students and professionals in STEM fields who serve as mentors and role models of achievement. We encourage students to believe in their own potential, pursue aspirations for higher education, and explore tech-driven career paths that they can shape for themselves.
Excellence: We provide a comprehensive, best-in-class foundation for success. Our curriculum is designed to cover everything from college terminology and high school planning to in-depth career matching. The strategic inclusion of campus visits and direct interaction with the higher education community ensures our students receive an authentic, excellence-driven preparation that puts them years ahead.
Participants in our Go2College program gain more than information—they gain a transformed outlook:
Digital Literacy & Filmmaking: Amplifying Voices, Shaping Narratives
At P4L, our filmmaking programs, we equip students to be storytellers who challenge, document, and inspire.
Telling Stories That Matter
For 2026, our student filmmakers will tackle two essential themes: "Teenagers Achieving Greatness" and "Lesser Known Stories from Montgomery County, MD's History." Through producing a dozen short narrative and documentary films, they don't just learn filmmaking; they learn to shape the cultural record.
Our Core Values in Action
Equity: We democratize storytelling. We believe every story deserves to be told and every voice deserves to be heard. By intentionally focusing on "Lesser Known Stories," we actively work to correct historical omissions and uplift marginalized narratives. Our program provides the high-quality equipment, software, and mentorship needed to ensure that a student's access to resources is never a barrier to their creative vision.
Empowerment: We put the pen and the camera in their hands. Our students are the authors, directors, and editors of their own work. They gain full ownership of the creative process, from initial idea development and research to scriptwriting, filming, and final edits with soundtrack and narration. This comprehensive skill-set transforms them from passive consumers of media into empowered creators with the confidence to share their unique perspectives with the world.
Advocacy:
We train storytellers to be agents of change. A powerful story is a form of advocacy. By chronicling "Teenagers Achieving Greatness," our students become advocates for their peers, challenging negative stereotypes. By unearthing forgotten local history, they advocate for a more complete and honest understanding of their community. They learn that filmmaking is a powerful tool to shine a light on truth and inspire action.
Excellence:
We mentor the next generation of cinematic voices. We foster a culture of professional-grade craftsmanship. Students are coached by award-winning MCPS media teachers ensuring they learn industry-standard techniques in interviewing, editing, and sound design. The emphasis on successful collaboration and completing 12 polished films for a public audience instills a discipline of quality and pride in every project.
Students in our Digital Lit & Filmmaking program emerge as:
Critical thinkers & communicators skilled in research, narrative development, & creative expression
Collaborative leaders experienced in the teamwork & project management essential for success in any field
Culturally conscious citizens who are aware of the power of narrative & their role in shaping a more equitable & documented world
Financial Literacy:
Building Wealth, Well-Being, and Equitable Futures
At P4L, financial literacy is not just about numbers—it's about liberation and our transformational curriculum is designed to dismantle financial anxiety and build generational wealth.
Transforming Relationships with Money
We go beyond teaching financial concepts to heal mindsets. In partnership with the Spiritual Finance Initiative, we are committed to "relieving the pain and suffering that results from financial struggle." We equip students and community members with the practical skills and inner confidence to build a secure and prosperous future.
Our Core Values in Action
Equity: We bridge the financial literacy gap. We believe that financial wisdom is a right, not a privilege. Our program is strategically offered in communities like Long Branch and at venues like the Clifton Park Baptist Church and Washington Adventist University to ensure equitable access to knowledge that is often gatekept. We are closing the opportunity gap by bringing empowering financial education directly to the youth and families who stand to benefit most.
Empowerment:
We provide the tools for financial self-determination. Our students shift from feeling controlled by money to becoming its confident master. They gain control over their financial futures by mastering practical skills—from compounding interest and credit scores to diversified investing—while simultaneously transforming their internal beliefs about earning, spending, and wealth. This dual approach empowers them to make informed, conscious financial decisions.
Advocacy:
We champion financial justice and optimism and we advocate for a future where financial struggle does not define our students' potential. By fostering "optimism about my financial future" in 87% of students, we are helping them advocate for their own prosperity. Furthermore, by engaging parents and community members, we build a collective voice for financial well-being, with 88% of parents expressing optimism for their child's future as a direct result of the program.
Excellence: We deliver proven, holistic results. Our curriculum is expertly designed in consultation with the Spiritual Finance Initiative, ensuring a blend of technical rigor and psychological depth. Our success is measurable. Over 85% of our students report improved money beliefs, understanding, and overall satisfaction with our program.
Participants in our Financial Literacy program don't just learn—they transform, and they emerge with:
