Washington Heights NYPL

We are located in the New York Public Library in Washington Heights, located at 1000 St. Nicholas Ave., New York, NY 10032. This exciting partnership brings new educational resources to the entire Washington Heights community. In addition to our credit-bearing courses, this center serves as a place for the public to access and engage with technology

Volunteer and Mentorship Opportunities

We are seeking Mentors to offer guidance to our students during class, as well as after hours at the Washington Heights STEM Center. We are specifically looking for volunteers who can offer 1-3 hours of their time each week and are regularly available one day a week (Tuesday - Friday) between 2pm and 5pm.

Responsibilities would include helping to monitor the space while offering your skills to help students with personal projects.



Summer Programs


Make Summer will be offered in the NYC FIRST STEM Center at Tata Innovation Center in Roosevelt Island, and the NYC FIRST STEM Center at the Washington Heights NYPL, 1000 St. Nicholas Avenue, at 160th St. We are offering four one-week-long summer courses for rising 7th - 9th graders.

Students will be exposed to science, technology, engineering and math skills through hands on learning. They will gain experience in 2D design, 3D design, digital fabrication, programming, and physical computing. All while experimenting with circuitry, microcontrollers, Vinyl Cutters, Laser Cutters, and 3D Printers. During each week of this program, students will conceive of an idea, test it out, and make it happen.

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The Team

Francesca Rodriguez Sawaya

STEM Center Teacher

Francesca Rodriguez Sawaya

STEM Center Teacher
Francesca is a Peruvian multimedia designer and educator. Her work sits at the intersection of storytelling and technology, crafting compelling narratives about socio-cultural realities and creating projects that could turn into tools for empowerment. She has been exploring the linkages between weaving and computational thinking, creating pieces that translate oral stories into physical weavings. In line with her filmmaking background, she is passionate about finding a more human approach to the way we share stories in today’s digital world. 

Jesse Donaldson

STEM Center Teacher

Jesse Donaldson

STEM Center Teacher
Jesse is a fabricator, artist, technologist and educator. He is passionate about the process of translating ideas from concept to the physical world. He enjoys sharing a mindful approach to design and fabrication through teaching these subjects as an art, rather than as a science. In addition to his work as an educator, Jesse runs a small studio focused on creating furniture, sculpture work as well as motorcycles.

1000 St. Nicholas Ave.

New York, NY 10032​