Claire Shao

Claire Shao is a Pittsburgh-native and is currently a junior at North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford, PA. She is the CFO of Steel City Codes, a 501(c)3 dedicated to creating educational opportunities for young students in computer science. Steel City Codes has two main goals: educating young students in computer science and reducing discrimination in STEM fields. They do this by offering completely cost-free computer science activities in the form of summer camps, after-school programs, and more.

Without a doubt, involvement in Steel City Codes has become one of the most rewarding aspects of Claire’s high school experience so far. Roughly 80 students in the first year has now increased to over 460 elementary and middle school students who have gone through the summer program. Steel City Codes has provided Claire with a unique opportunity to play a small role in influencing the futures of the next wave of computer scientists.

While Claire is not yet sure what she wants to pursue in college, she is largely interested in the interface between computer science and chemistry. However, she is positive that she will remain involved in Steel City Codes and is eager to see the organization and its impact expand.