Kids are the future. Empower them.
We prepare students to thrive and lead in the tech workforce.
The.Circuit empowers the next generation of innovators and creators from underserved communities with the skills, experiences, and opportunities to pursue future careers in tech.
About Circuit EPA
Mission
The.Circuit EPA’s mission is to equip students from underrepresented communities with the tools, education, and hands-on experiences needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving tech world. Through dynamic STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs, we empower the next generation of creators and leaders, building a foundation for their impact in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Vision
The.Circuit EPA envisions a world where every student can explore and connect with technology in meaningful ways, inspiring them to dream big and pursue careers that shape the future. Our technology and innovation hub serves as a launchpad, fostering creativity, ambition, and pathways to fulfilling tech careers in Silicon Valley.
The.Circuit is proud to support the vibrant communities of East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, where:
98% are students of color
80% come from low-income households
59% are English language learners
47% experience housing insecurity or homelessness
Who We Are
The.Circuit EPA is a nonprofit based in East Palo Alto, dedicated to technology education and youth development. Our mission is to empower young minds through hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), equipping students with the skills and confidence to build successful futures.
Founded to address the opportunity gap facing students in the East Palo Alto community, The.Circuit EPA was built on a transformative vision shaped by local voices and dedicated partners. We believe that access leads to opportunity, and opportunity leads to achievement. Recognizing the urgent need for skills aligned with Silicon Valley’s evolving tech landscape, district experts, school leaders, and program specialists came together in 2021 to launch The.Circuit EPA. From day one, our focus has been to create opportunities for students in underserved communities, bridging educational and career gaps to foster equitable access to tech careers.
Operating at the heart of Silicon Valley, where technology shapes our everyday lives, our programs give students in the Ravenswood City School District the tools to actively participate in this dynamic landscape—not as observers but as creators and future leaders. With the upcoming launch of a state-of-the-art Innovation Center, we are paving the way for every student to gain the skills, experiences, and confidence necessary to thrive in a tech-driven world.
Programs
Based at Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School (CCRMS) in East Palo Alto, we focus on enriching students from 6th to 8th grade with a rich STEAM curriculum. Our programs focus on technical skills and aim to cultivate critical social and emotional strengths like confidence, teamwork, career readiness, and leadership abilities.
Immersive Learning Project
The Circuit EPA's VR program revolutionizes the educational experience, offering an immersive journey that transforms learning for students at CCRMS. We're on a mission to become a pivotal educational resource where teachers can book on-site field trips, utilizing our state-of-the-art VR technology. Our initiative, the Immersive Learning Project, is designed to seamlessly integrate Virtual Reality into the curriculum, enhancing classroom instruction and learning with vivid, lifelike experiences. Launching in early April 2024, this program will empower educators to create tailored virtual field trips that align with their lesson plans. Whether it's exploring ancient Rome, diving deep into marine biology, or stepping inside the virtual halls of the Louvre, our VR experiences are crafted to match classroom learning, bringing subjects to life in a way that textbooks alone cannot. This program was developed in close collaboration with a select group of CCRMS teachers deeply involved in the design and application of the VR lab.
By offering training, equipment, and support, The Circuit EPA simplifies the integration of VR technology, making immersive learning accessible to students in under-resourced schools. Our vision is to spark curiosity, enhance engagement, and elevate the educational experience by transporting students to incredible virtual worlds, directly from their classroom. This innovative approach enriches learning and also opens up new horizons for our students, inspiring them to explore, discover, and dream beyond their immediate environment.
Club Circuit
Aimed at closing both the access, opportunity and achievement gaps prevalent in the STEAM sector, Club Circuit is an after-school technology club aimed at building a bridge towards an inclusive future. It’s where underrepresented middle school students are introduced to technology and actively mentored and inspired.
Club Circuit currently operates during after-school hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Future Ready: Career Pathways in Tech
Our Career Pathways program introduces middle school students to foundational tech skills, sparking their interest and preparing them for continued growth in an evolving digital landscape. By bridging the opportunity and education gap between students and the tech industry, we empower students with the confidence and curiosity to see themselves as the next generation of innovators and leaders. Our goal is to set students on a clear path toward careers in technology, inspiring them to make their mark in Silicon Valley and beyond.
8 to 80 Zone
The 8 to 80 Zone is a collaboration between San Francisco 49ers Alumni Steve Young (#8) and Jerry Rice (#80). Currently located on the CCRMS campus, this STEAM+ education center is the home to our programs and not only allows for artistic expression but also affords students the opportunity to gain training on industry-standard equipment and software.
Esports
The field of esports is exploding in popularity and millions of youth are participating. Circuit EPA’s Esports program will harness middle school students’ passion for video games through organized competitions in a safe and secure format. Students will discover how the excitement of gaming intersects with the educational aspects of computer programming. Esports is about more than just playing games–it can be used to help students grow their STEAM interests and develop valuable life skills.
Meet Our Team
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jennifer Bressie, President
Community Volunteer
Siobhan Jones, Vice President
Community Volunteer
Matthew Bonner, Treasurer
Chief Operating Partner & Legal Partner, DCM Ventures
Michele Sharkey, Secretary
Co-Founder, The Circuit EPA
Pablo Beramendi
Director, Startups & AI, Google Cloud at Google
Todd Gaviglio
Community Volunteer
Solomon Hill
Director of Technology, Ravenswood City School District
Christiana Jonas
Business Performance Advisor, Insperity
Losaline Kofutua
Student Culture Coordinator, Ravenswood City School District
STAFF
Shauna Smith
Executive Director
Michele Sharkey
Development & Partnership Lead
John Colleton
Technology & Program Lead
Maria Chavez-Pasana
Operations Lead
Steve Williams
Student Culture Lead
Community Partners
Ravenswood Community 8 to 80 Zone Innovation Center
In partnership with the Ravenswood City School District, Circuit EPA is working on plans to build a new 8 to 80 zone the East Menlo Park and East Palo Alto communities.
Building the Future: Ravenswood Innovation Center
Our Vision
In partnership with the Ravenswood City School District, The Circuit EPA is building a new Innovation Center for the East Menlo Park and East Palo Alto communities. This state-of-the-art facility will be a hub of creativity, critical thinking, and technological education, designed to inspire and prepare students for future careers.
Build with Us
Our students aspire to live and work in the communities they grew up in. The Innovation Center represents our commitment to helping them achieve that dream. This new space will be inspiring and future-focused, giving students a place to develop critical skills in problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. Together, we’re building a brighter future.
Invest with Us
The Ravenswood Innovation Center will go beyond traditional classrooms by embracing an apprenticeship approach to STEAM education. This space will empower students with the skills and confidence to pursue meaningful careers as creators and innovators in the tech industry.
Our Partners
Ravenswood City School District: Our primary partner, contributing land for the Innovation Center and aligning our mission with district goals.
Steve Young, Jerry Rice & the Forever Young Foundation: These Bay Area icons bring visibility and inspiration, advancing our mission of youth empowerment.
Construction and Design Partners: We are grateful for the support of our partners who are instrumental in the Innovation Center’s early phases:
Ghilotti Construction
Truebeck Construction
Page & Turnbull
For more information on the Ravenswood Innovation Center Project or to get involved, please contact Michele Sharkey at Michele@thecircuitepa.org
Donate
The Circuit EPA is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, EIN#: 87-3741761.
or mail a check to:
The Circuit EPA
2120 Euclid Ave.
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Make checks payable to “The Circuit EPA”
To make a wire transfer or stock donation, please contact:
Michele Sharkey
Michele@thecircuitepa.org
