By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Shelly Gruenig did not set out to build one of Albuquerque’s most impactful STEM organizations. Twenty-one years ago, she was simply a homeschool mom looking for something fun for her son to do.
“I stumbled across this robotics competition, and I was like, ‘Oh, we could do that. Looks like fun,’” says Gruenig.
That quickly grew into dozens of kids gathering around her family’s kitchen table, garage and front yard building robots, learning programming and discovering confidence they did not know they had. Today, Gruenig is the founder and executive director of R4 Creating, a nonprofit focused on STEM education, mentorship and leadership development for youth across New Mexico.
Gruenig’s background was originally in workforce development, helping employees grow skills and navigate careers. But after becoming a mother, she found herself searching for ways to channel her son’s curiosity into something productive.
“I always joke with people, like he could hack into anything, and it was driving me insane,” says Gruenig. “And so I thought I need to use this kid’s force for good.”
What started as a small robotics club eventually became a statewide organization offering after-school programs, summer camps, competitive robotics teams and mentorship opportunities. Along the way, Gruenig realized the work was about far more than science and technology.
“It’s so much deeper than that,” says Gruenig. “It’s helping shape identity.”
At the core of R4 Creating is the belief that students thrive when they are empowered early. Gruenig says young people, especially girls, often just need someone to believe they belong in STEM spaces.
“When I was a young girl, I was very into science,” says Gruenig. “But somebody told me, ‘Oh, girls aren’t scientists. You could be a science teacher if you want.’”
That memory helped shape the environment she wanted to create for future generations. Through R4 Creating’s “learners to leaders” philosophy, students are encouraged not only to learn technical skills but also to mentor others, speak publicly and step into leadership roles.
Gruenig believes organizations like R4 Creating are especially important in New Mexico, where talent is abundant but opportunities can be harder to access.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” says Gruenig.
Gruenig says many young people are actively searching for opportunities and guidance, even if they do not always know where to find it. Mentorship, she believes, can completely change the direction of a young person’s life.
“I just want to be an advocate for kids out there. They want opportunity,” says Gruenig. “They’re seeking opportunity.”
Over the years, the organization has relied heavily on community support. Churches donated space in the early days. Families pitched in. Small businesses donated money. Gruenig says the organization’s growth has always been deeply connected to relationships and mentorship.
“There are naysayers out there,” says Gruenig. “But we just continue to move forward.”
That persistence has required sacrifice, not just from Gruenig but from her entire family, whose schedules often revolved around robotics competitions and organizational demands.
“We don’t just have children,” says Gruenig. “We have kids of our original children that are actually in the robotics programs now.”
For Gruenig, the mission has never just been about robots. It has always been about building belonging, confidence and opportunity for the next generation of New Mexicans.
People interested in learning more about R4 Creating, volunteering or supporting its programs can visitR4 Creating’s website (r4creating.org) for upcoming events, camps and community opportunities.