Members of Riverside Unified’s Board of Education, leadership staff, and Innovation & Learning Engagement (ILE) Department accepted the 2025 Golden Bell Award for its Computational Design Thinking Focused Pathways at the California School Boards Association’s awards ceremony on Dec. 3.
Members of Riverside Unified’s Board of Education, leadership staff, and Innovation & Learning Engagement (ILE) Department accepted the 2025 Golden Bell Award for its Computational Design Thinking Focused Pathways at the California School Boards Association’s awards ceremony on Dec. 3. (source: courtesy)

Ellen Perrault

Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) continued its track record of excellence at the California School Boards Association’s (CSBA) 2025 Golden Bell Awards Ceremony on Dec. 3. The district earned prestigious recognition for its Computational Design Thinking Focused Pathways.

This award-winning pathway is a multi-faceted approach to expanding access and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for all students across the district through inclusive and hands-on learning opportunities.

“These pathways are designed to give every student the chance to experience the excitement of creating, building, and solving real-world problems with technology. We prepare students for the future by sparking their passion today,” Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas said. “When we match interests to learning, we close achievement gaps and create a lasting model for equitable STEM learning that inspires the next generation of innovators.”

Riverside Unified’s Innovation & Learning Engagement (ILE) Department spearheads the Computational Design Thinking Focused Pathways, which encompass the district’s Coding Clubs, Family Innovation Nights, and “Ignite Her Mind” STEM Symposium. Together, these programs provide all RUSD students with access to hands-on opportunities to build computational thinking skills and prepare for future STEM careers.

Riverside Unified’s Family Innovation Night is part of its Computational Design Thinking Focused Pathways, which earned the district its 10th Golden Bell Award since 2000. The event brings STEM to life for students, allowing them to explore hands-on coding and robotics challenges with their families.
Riverside Unified’s Family Innovation Night is part of its Computational Design Thinking Focused Pathways, which earned the district its 10th Golden Bell Award since 2000. The event brings STEM to life for students, allowing them to explore hands-on coding and robotics challenges with their families. (source: courtesy)

During the 2024-25 school year, Riverside Unified established 40 Coding Clubs for students in transitional kindergarten through high school, hosted 20 Family Innovation Nights, and held its ninth annual “Ignite Her Mind” Symposium, which empowers eighth-grade girls to see themselves in STEM fields through a day of hands-on exploration and mentorship.

The annual Ignite Her Mind STEM Symposium is part of Riverside Unified’s Computational Design Thinking Focused Pathways, which won a 2025 Golden Bell Award. The event empowers eighth-grade girls through hands-on STEM workshops, mentorship from high school ambassadors, and inspiration from women leaders in STEM. (source: courtesy)

“This prestigious recognition affirms the sustained, intentional work of the incredible educators across Riverside Unified,” said RUSD Board President Brent Lee. “It is a reflection of our Board and district’s collective dedication to STEM learning, equity, and innovation, ensuring all students have access to the skills and confidence they need to thrive both now and in the future.”

Since 2000, RUSD has earned 10 Golden Bell Awards, which recognize the innovative programs that improve student achievement and well-being in California’s public schools. This award extends Riverside Unified’s streak of Golden Bell wins to six consecutive years.

Ellen Perrault is retired and works occasionally as a freelance writer who contributes to publications in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Her primary focus is preparing/reformatting press releases and other public announcements–both municipal and nonprofit–for publication.