A Des Moines-based initiative gives at-risk and refugee students their first boost inside STEM-based careers. Pi515 founder Nancy Mwirotsi is connecting Central Iowa students with sponsoring tech companies to teach STEM-related skills, including web/app development, robotics and financial literacy. The program gained 45 girls in the year’s first recruiting event, Mwirotsi said. Pi515 has already raised $15,000 during its first fundraiser last November.
