15 Years of Assemble: Building Pittsburgh's Next Generation of Makers, Creators & Technologists

Nina Marie Barbuto, founder of Assemble in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood, joins TechVibe this Sunday to celebrate 15 years of building community through arts, technology, and hands-on maker education. What started with a backpack and a bicycle has grown into an organization that has impacted over 107,000 people — including more than 30,000 youth — through STEM and STEAM programs rooted in culturally relevant, project-based learning. Nina shares the story of Assemble's evolution from an all-volunteer effort to a generational force in Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, the ripple effects of empowering kids to build, create, and dream, and details for the upcoming Unicornapalooza celebration on September 19th — featuring carnival games, flash unicorn tattoos, the first-ever Unicorny Awards honoring community champions, and costumes strongly encouraged. Featuring honorees Gregg Behr of the Grable Foundation, Representative La' Tasha Mayes for her work passing the CROWN Act in Pennsylvania, community maker Miss Junyetta Seale, and Assemble's own Jess Gold. Learn more and get tickets at assemblepgh.org.