HISTORY
Our Story
Bits, Bytes & Bots has been serving the Mid-South since 2019. We have offered programs at public schools, private schools, community centers, and private events. Our flexible curriculum and awesome team allow us to be one of Memphis's leading providers in STEM education. We promise to provide a fun and educational environment for each of our students.
Our lead instructors are bright university students who study a STEM-related field. These soon-to-be coders and engineers love sharing their knowledge with younger generations.
Our assistant instructors are high schoolers from the Memphis area. Their passion for STEM and energy for learning allow them to relate well to our students.
We are run by Dan Roberts and Lesly Urbina, but it is our patient and delightfully nerdy instructors who truly make Bit, Bytes, & Bots fun for students of all ages. Dan and Lesly have hand-picked each of our instructors. We are proud to introduce our team!
meet the team
Dan Roberts 🇺🇸, Founder & Director
Lesly Urbina ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³, Lead Instructor & Coordinator
Lesly Urbina ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³, Lead Instructor & Coordinator
Dan is a lifelong Memphian. After attending school at CMDS, Richland, Houston Middle, and Houston High Schools, Dan earned a BS in Engineering from Northwestern University and a Masters in Engineering from Christian Brothers University. He has 15 years of experience teaching math and science and tutoring for the ACT.
Lesly Urbina ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³, Lead Instructor & Coordinator
Lesly Urbina ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³, Lead Instructor & Coordinator
Lesly Urbina ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³, Lead Instructor & Coordinator
Lesly is a computer science and mathematics major at Christian Brothers University. Lesly is determined to break barriers and make space for herself in the tech field. She loves encouraging girls' interest in coding. Lesly joined Bits, Bytes, & Bots in 2021, and she has developed a love for teaching ever since.
Lead Instructors
Jorge Sanchez 🇲🇽
Vivian Pastrana ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Vivian Pastrana ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Jorge is a computer science and math major at Christian Brothers University. Originally from Athens, GA, he has come to Memphis to study and serve the community. His love for children and teaching has truly made him a great instructor! Jorge hopes to expand diversity and create a safe space for everyone in STEM.
Vivian Pastrana ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Vivian Pastrana ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Vivian Pastrana ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Vivian is an electrical engineering and computer science major at Christian Brothers University. Vivian was born and raised in Honduras and moved to Durham, NC, at the age of 8. She brings previous experience working at schools that makes her a great BBB instructor. During her free time, she likes to play video games, go on walks with her beagle named Jade, or watch shows.
John Pounds 🇺🇸
Vivian Pastrana ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
John Pounds 🇺🇸
John is 18 years old and has been programming in various languages since 4th grade. He currently does lots of web development and is on the leadership team of Memphis Hack Club. He loves teaching, and finds great fulfillment in helping the students understand the material and apply it to their personal projects!
Joel Hilario🇲🇽
Juan Amezquita🇲🇽ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
John Pounds 🇺🇸
Joel is a mechanical engineering major at Christian Brothers University. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico, Joel has lived in South Carolina since the age of 4. A first-generation college student, he is passionate about inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. In their free time, they enjoy playing video games. Since joining Bits, Bytes, & Bots, he has found joy in teaching and creating fun, engaging learning experiences for students.
Samuel Wells 🇺🇸
Juan Amezquita🇲🇽ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Juan Amezquita🇲🇽ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Sam is a high school senior at Briarcrest Christian School with plans to pursue a degree in computer science or business. Born in Egypt and raised in the U.S. since the age of 4, Sam has always been drawn to STEM, from building robots to creating Lego stop-motion movies. His curiosity for how things work has grown into a passion for teaching. Working at Bits, Bytes, & Bots has sparked nostalgic memories and deepened his love for inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Juan Amezquita🇲🇽ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Juan Amezquita🇲🇽ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Juan Amezquita🇲🇽ðŸ‡ðŸ‡³
Juan is a freshman at the University of Memphis majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in K–12 education. Originally from Memphis, he brings a strong passion for both learning and teaching. Outside of the classroom, Juan enjoys playing all kinds of sports and currently plays competitive soccer at Mike Rose. He loves working with kids and believes every day at Bits, Bytes, & Bots brings something new and exciting.
Assistant Instructors
Thompson Winterburn🇺🇸
Thompson Winterburn🇺🇸
Thompson Winterburn🇺🇸
Thompson is a student at Westminster Academy with a strong interest in engineering. He first got involved with Bits, Bytes, & Bots as a camper at Campus School and now enjoys being on the other side as an instructor. With a background in computers and coding, Thompson brings both knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom. He loves sharing what he knows and making STEM fun for the next generation.
Katie Pounds 🇺🇸
Thompson Winterburn🇺🇸
Thompson Winterburn🇺🇸