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The four students from Yerevan with educators visiting Princeton University
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Yerevan’s Students Learn STEAM Skills in Princeton, NJ

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By Dr. Dinesh J. Sharma

PRINCETON, N.J. — How much can high school students from Armenia benefit from an immersive, high-tech educational experience in the United States? That was the question behind an innovative international STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education initiative that brought four female students from Yerevan to Princeton, August 10–15.

After months of preparation, Yerevan Municipality worked with a team of educators and organizers in New York City and Princeton to developed a program to provide scholarships for four high school students to participate in a five-day STEAM camp at Steam Works Studio in Princeton.

This inaugural program was designed by Prof. Dinesh Sharma, Director and Chief Research Officer at Steam Works Studio (https://steamworksstudio.com/) and a faculty member at Fordham University. It was coordinated by a team that included Gevorg Gharibyan, Head of the Children and Social Protection Department at Yerevan Municipality (https://www.yerevan.am/en/) ; Emma Arakelyan, CEO and Founder of Orion Worldwide Innovations (https://www.orionwi.com/ ); and Prof. Harold Takooshian of Fordham University.

The four participating students — Ani Babajanyan, Mariam Harutyunyan, Lilit Udumyan, and Nare Harutyunyan — took part in an intensive, hands-on program focused on emerging technologies and creative problem-solving.

Over five days, they explored Python programming and coding; Robotics; 3D printing; Artificial intelligence and Virtual reality (VR).

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The students received instruction and mentorship from Annabelle Hovnanian, great-granddaughter of the late Jirair Hovnanian; Jessey Schoenfeld, a media student at the University of Hartford Art School; and Aranis Das, a technology researcher at Princeton University.

Rather than simply learning about technology, the students had opportunities to experiment with it directly. The program emphasized project-based learning and encouraged students to develop creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

At Steam Works Studio, this hands-on approach is central to the educational philosophy: students learn by making, experimenting, asking questions, and solving real problems.

Beyond the Classroom

The exchange was also designed as a cultural and educational experience. In addition to their work at Steam Works Studio, the students visited Princeton University, Philadelphia and New York City, giving them an opportunity to experience American higher education, culture, and technology communities firsthand.

For the students, the week offered more than an introduction to new technologies. It provided a window into American universities and innovation ecosystems—and an opportunity to meet educators, researchers, and other young people interested in technology.

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

The August 2026 visit is intended to be the beginning of the partnership between Yerevan and Steam Works Studio.

“This is the first of many visits we hope to host from Yerevan, Armenia,” said Sharma. “Our goal is to create opportunities for students from different countries to learn together, experience emerging technologies, and develop the skills and confidence to become the innovators of tomorrow.”

The initiative also comes as Armenia places increasing emphasis on STEAM and technology education. The country’s growing investment in STEAM education creates opportunities for international partnerships that can connect Armenian students with educational institutions, researchers, and technology communities abroad.

For Steam Works Studio, the Yerevan exchange represents a broader vision: STEAM education as an international bridge connecting young people across cultures through science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Looking Ahead to 2027

What began as a five-day experiment in Princeton may therefore become the foundation for a continuing educational bridge between Yerevan – New York – Princeton, one that gives young students the opportunity to cross not only geographical boundaries, but also the boundaries of technology, culture, and imagination.

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