Obituary: Rebecca Schatz introduced kids to math, computers and engineering through nonprofits

Rebecca Schatz, who earned a graduate degree in computer science 30 years ago, worked in industry before she started The Works.

For 25 years, she introduced children to the world of math, computers and engineering through fun and hands-on projects.

"Being innovative isn't the goal," she wrote several years ago. "It is more about getting something done and doing something that is worth doing.

"I felt strongly that engineering education can and must start with young children, and that exploring engineering can transform how we educate our children in significant and wonderful ways."

Schatz, who died in July of cancer at age 59, will be memorialized by family and friends Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Leonardo's Basement in Minneapolis, a nonprofit place for kids to create art, science and technology projects.

"Her passion defined what she did," said Jean Weiss, who took over for Schatz at her last venture, Code Savvy, after Schatz retired for health reasons earlier this year. "I was taken by her love for teaching kids.

"I met her through the Minnesota High Tech Association in 2014," Weiss said. "We had lunch a few weeks later. She was so engaging. We talked for three hours. And now I've been working at Code Savvy for three months."

Schatz also attracted a cadre of volunteer IT professionals who served as mentors and helped her develop a portfolio of activities aimed at students between the ages of 8 and 17. They included Technovation[MN] for female teenagers to design and code mobile and other apps. They compete with other coders around the country and world; and CoderDojo Twin Cities, a free mentoring and coding program for young people with an interest in web design, gaming, systems and electronics.

In 2013, Schatz told an online publication called Voice of the Innovator: "Engineering is now required in the Minnesota academic standards at every grade level. Our audience has grown fivefold in the past few years; our strategy can now envision nationwide impact. Innovation never stands still; there are always new challenges and opportunities to tackle.

"Go for it. There's nothing like the pure joy of seeing something you made happen work. Innovators really do change the world."

Schatz, who earned a degree in mathematics from the University of Texas, earned a master's degree in computer science and Asian studies from the University of Minnesota. She was a Luce Scholar in Japan in 1984-85.