NEWARK, NJ — The STEMDUP Institute, under the leadership of its founder and chairman Sheikh Musa Drammeh, in collaboration with Regional Council of Nigerian Muslim Organizations (RCNMO), brought technology, innovation, and community learning together on Saturday, October 12, during a full-day Robotics Workshop at Masjid Muba, Nigerian American Islamic Mission (NAIM Center), located at 221 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey. The event, held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., was part of the institute’s partnership RCNMO Education Workshops, a series dedicated to equipping young people with skills for the future through interactive STEM education.

Led by Mariam O. Agbelusi, the session’s coordinator and instructor, the workshop emphasized creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving through hands-on engagement with robotics and coding. Participants were encouraged to bring their own devices — laptops, tablets, or smartphones — to explore the PictoBlox software, a visual programming platform designed to teach coding in a fun and accessible way.

Agbelusi described the event as “dynamic, interactive, and full of creative exploration,” highlighting the importance of participant involvement in making the learning experience impactful. “This isn’t just about learning to program robots,” she said. “It’s about empowering young people to innovate, collaborate, and think critically — skills that will serve them in any career path they choose.”

The atmosphere at Masjid Muba was both energetic and focused as students and community members engaged in coding challenges, robot-building exercises, and collaborative design projects. Many participants expressed excitement about the hands-on approach, describing it as both “fun and educational.”

The STEMDUP Institute, whose acronym stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Diversity, Unity, and Peace, continues to redefine community education by integrating technology with social values. Sheikh Musa Drammeh, a Bronx-based interfaith and community leader, founded the institute with a vision to use education as a tool for empowerment, unity, and peacebuilding.

“Our mission is to prepare the next generation not just to adapt to the future, but to lead it,” Sheikh Drammeh said. “We want to ensure that every child — regardless of their background — has access to the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to innovate and contribute meaningfully to society.”

Through collaboration with organizations like the RCNMO Education Committee, the institute aims to bridge educational gaps, particularly within immigrant and underserved communities. The program encourages youth to engage with technology in ways that build confidence, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding.

Saturday’s robotics workshop is part of a broader effort by STEMDUP Institute to create sustainable educational ecosystems in partnership with mosques, schools, and community organizations across the United States and Africa. The Newark session reflected this mission in action — bringing together technology and tradition under one roof.

As the workshop concluded, participants left with more than just new technical skills. They carried a renewed sense of possibility. “STEM education isn’t only about science and technology,” Agbelusi remarked. “It’s about shaping mindsets — inspiring young people to believe that they can be creators, problem-solvers, and leaders in their communities.”

The success of the Newark event highlights the growing impact of STEMDUP’s educational outreach and its commitment to merging innovation with inclusion. In a world increasingly driven by technology, the institute’s approach offers both a model and a message: progress thrives where knowledge, diversity, and unity intersect.

For more information about upcoming STEMDUP programs and workshops, visit www.stemdup.org or email info@stemdup.org or call 718-822-5555 or 917-587-8150 .