FranciscoCervantes— Builder.

W. Raffles

SaaS · Finance · Data Systems

Architected and built a production SaaS platform processing 20,000+ raffle entries across multiple retail clients with a 99.8% successful payment rate — integrating Shopify inventory sync, Stripe payment automation, and real-time order fulfillment. Developed a modular client training system using Cornerstone LMS and Articulate.

Programmed and operated a 6-axis Denso robotic arm to apply Inovati NiCrAlY (Nickel Chromium Aluminum Yttrium) Thermal Coating coatings on NASA – Glenn Research Center rocket liner components. This work required precision control system planning, materials knowledge, and iterative prototyping at the intersection of robotics, aerospace engineering, and advanced fabrication.

Patient Data Tracking App

Healthcare · Mobile UX

Developed a mobile tablet application for healthcare providers to track patient data in real time. Designed for clinical workflows at the Center for Motivation and Change, the app prioritized data integrity, user accessibility, and secure storage for sensitive health information — built on Drupal, an open-source PHP framework favored for secure, scalable enterprise applications.

Designed and procured an interactive learning station featuring PBS Kids media, Chromebooks, and an interactive whiteboard — enabling hands-on, project-based learning alongside media-integrated curriculum focused on early childhood education. Educators and learners accessed a custom web application that supported innovative technology use while capturing user experiment data for summative evaluation. Built and Installed a Custom CMS using Drupal, with back-end data collection of browsing history and use of Google Analytics across all devices, laptops and Interactive Whiteboard Cart.

Scratch Conference, Scratch Day Worldwide and SEC

Creative Learning · Global

Directed major Scratch Foundation events, introducing young learners, and their educators, to block-based programming through creative, community-centered experiences. Fostered a culture of computational thinking and self-directed making at Scratch Conference 2022, 2023, and Scratch Education Collaborative events worldwide, including Mexico, Kenya and Argentina.

Served as an educational researcher in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab Scratch Team to develop a computational thinking framework aligned with Scratch, designed for instructors supporting learners ages 9–18. The core challenge: identify and assess learners' developing fluency with computational concepts, practices, and perspectives in project-based learning environments. Conducted student and teacher interviews examining Scratch use alongside the Creative Computing Curriculum Guide. Designed and facilitated debugging challenges as formative and summative assessments. Deliverables: • Define Computational Thinking with Scratch — a one-pager establishing CT concepts, practices, and perspectives for classroom use • Rubric for assessing evolving fluency with computational practices — assessment strategies aligned to project-based learning environments using Scratch and the Creative Computing Curriculum Guide • Self-reflective tool — for identifying opportunities to support learners' ongoing CT development.

Create Fests: AP CSP Initiative — NYC Department of Education

K–12 · AP CSP · Industry Partnerships

As Director of Program Design and Evaluation at the NYC Department of Education, I was charged with increasing student participation in the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) exam as part of the city-wide CS4All initiative — ensuring every student had at least one meaningful CS experience across each grade band. The challenge: The AP CSP exam requires students to complete a project called the Create Task, which teachers typically scheduled on weekends. Teachers were reluctant to give up a Saturday. Students were unenthusiastic about coming in. And many students lacked reliable wifi or a laptop at home — creating a real equity barrier to exam participation. The solution — Create Fests: I designed and implemented a program that brought AP CSP students to tech company offices on weekends, removing every barrier at once. My team coordinated with industry partners — including SAP, Microsoft, Google, and Accenture — to host student cohorts, while the district covered transportation and lunch. Students got high-speed wifi, company snack bars, and dedicated time to work on their Create Tasks. Company employees ran career panels for students in attendance. In year one, we co-hosted 7 events. In year two, 12 — hosting between 40 and 120 students per event and reaching approximately 90% of our annual goal of 700 students served. One student visiting the snack bar told me: "You know, I could see myself working here." That was the indirect goal all along and coursework could not deliver that feeling.

Designed and implemented Connect2Tech, a Google-funded after-school computer science program serving 250 middle school students across multiple sites — delivered in partnership with TASC (ExpandED Schools) and built around hands-on, collaborative coding experiences designed to build excitement around computing and creative hardware use. Curriculum and materials designed for after-school educators and middle school learners included: • Lesson plans (available upon request) covering block-based coding, HTML, and JavaScript — aligned to hands-on computing projects using Coder for Raspberry Pi OS • Instructional videos and assessments supporting project-based learning • Student-facing activity cards, Coder badges, and engagement materials emphasizing technical skill development and digital citizenship • Classroom kits assembled and distributed across participating sites Implementation and coaching: Coordinated the full implementation plan — including program timeline, logic model, materials ordering, and kit assembly. Designed and facilitated both in-person and virtual professional learning experiences to build educator comfort with Google CS First and Coder for Raspberry Pi OS hardware and software. Conducted site visits and provided instructional coaching throughout the program, refining lessons based on educator feedback and student work samples to improve pacing, clarity, and engagement.

Indigenous CS & AI Education Events — 2024–2025

Indigenous Ed · AI Literacy

Organized and facilitated two regional convenings bringing together educators, technologists, and community members focused on computer science and AI literacy for Indigenous students. 4 Corners Computer Science Convening 2025 — Flagstaff, AZ | June 2025 Served on the steering planning committee and led conference operations for a three-day free convening hosted by Northern Arizona University, drawing 180+ registrants with approximately 80% attendance. Coordinated the full conference agenda, speaker roster, and logistics. Directed use of the Whova event platform, managing content, scheduling, and attendee communications through the event CMS. Sessions spanned AI/ML, AR/VR, computational thinking, physical computing, pedagogy, and career and technical education. AI Summit for Educators — Virtual | October 2024 Co-hosted a virtual professional learning summit reaching 65 educators of Indigenous students. Facilitated breakout discussions and moderated a panel of teachers implementing AI in active classroom contexts. Participants left with classroom-ready tools drawn from PlayLab and AiEdu frameworks for culturally responsive AI integration.

Co-designed and co-facilitated three Family STEAM Nights across two school districts geographically located on Navajo Nation, in partnership with Indigitize and local school leaders. Events brought together 50+ family members, including students and older siblings, alongside at least 10 educators per event who received at least one hour of professional development training before facilitating activities. Hands-on stations included: Scratch and Makey Makey (physical computing and circuits), Drones, Wonder Bots, Bee Bots, Spheros, a STEM Book Reading Nook, and Collaborative interactive art projects — tools chosen to make computing tangible, playful, and accessible across age groups and prior experience levels. Event design based on Family Creative Learning.