Pathfinders Summer Institute (PSI) 2025

The Pathfinders Summer Institute 2025 marked a milestone year for our signature professional development program, welcoming the largest-ever cohort of 1,447 public school educators. Since 2018, PSI has empowered over 6,500 teachers and reached more than 800,000 students nationwide.

Offered in a fully virtual format, PSI continues to expand access to high-quality computer science and maker education for educators in cities, suburbs, and rural communities alike. The 2025 Institute spotlighted AI and career readiness, equipping teachers with tools to inspire future-ready learners. The popular “AI Bits & Bytes” webinar series also returned, featuring experts from Infosys, TeachAI, and Learningtech.org — available on-demand via the Pathfinders Online Institute.

At its core, PSI champions inclusive access, ensuring every student has a pathway to the digital future. As Javier Aguilar, Computer Science Teacher & Robotics Coach at East Fort Worth Montessori Academy, shared: “Since 2018, I’ve been an enthusiastic participant in the Pathfinders Summer Institute. I believe every student, regardless of background, should have access to explore and excel in technology. Pathfinders inspired me to double down on that commitment.”

Professional development partners helped shape this year’s success. Dora Palfi of imagiLabs described the educator experience as “hands-on, reflective, and deeply collaborative.” She noted, “Many educators arrive having never done any script-based coding before, bringing both excitement and a touch of nervousness. By the end of the week, participants describe feeling more confident, equipped with strategies to model computational thinking, and inspired to bring inclusive, creative coding to their students. The emotional arc is clear: from initial nervousness, through challenge, to joy and empowerment.”

With its inclusive curriculum and expanding network of expert partners, PSI remains a vibrant hub for advancing computer science and maker education — from classrooms to careers — across the USA.