Programs and Services
Programs
Open-Ended Maker Experiences
- Open Invitation to Create: Explore freely with arts and crafts supplies, building materials, and electronic components.
- Introduction to Design Thinking: Learn the cycle of Understand – Ideate – Plan – Make.
- Document and Reflect: Capture progress, showcase creations, and reflect on the process.
Together, these elements create an engaging environment where students are encouraged to experiment with a wide variety of materials, from simple craft supplies to more complex electronic components. By grounding their work in the design-thinking process, learners practice moving from curiosity and brainstorming into purposeful planning and hands-on making. The final step—documenting their work and reflecting on what they learned—helps them not only celebrate their achievements but also see how mistakes, revisions, and persistence all contribute to meaningful growth.
Skill-Based Maker Experiences
- Cardboard: Cut, connect, and reshape into creative objects
- 3D Printing & Tinkercad: Design with shapes to create printed models
- Circuitry: Build circuits to power lights and motors
- Woodworking & Tools: Safely cut, join, and shape wood
- Drawing & Painting: Use art tools to create effects and compositions
These hands-on skills invite students to explore both artistic expression and technical making. From transforming simple cardboard into imaginative constructions, to designing digital models for 3D printing, students practice bringing their ideas to life. They also discover how circuits power movement and light, while woodworking introduces the safe use of tools to shape functional or decorative pieces. Finally, drawing and painting offer opportunities to refine artistic techniques, encouraging creativity and design across mediums. Together, these activities build a foundation of creative confidence and practical problem-solving.
Project-Based Maker Experiences
Project Examples:
- Race-Ready Mini Cars & Rovers
- Inventive Simple Machines
- Original Game Designs
- Twisting Marble Mazes
- High-Flying Ball Launchers
- Expressive Cardboard Masks
- Bold & Abstract Artworks
- Moving Animal Characters
Through collaboration with educators, we design projects that immerse students in the design-thinking process while helping them develop new skills. Each project begins with a shared challenge but leads to unique creations shaped by every student’s imagination. Whether engineering a marble maze, launching a ball across the room, or crafting an expressive mask, students bring their own ideas to life—discovering that innovation and creativity can take many forms.
Customized Content-Driven Maker Experiences
- Collaborate with Educators: Align curriculum goals and standards to design meaningful projects
- Document the Journey: Provide guides and resources to build skills and mindsets
- Celebrate with a Showcase: Share student creations and portfolios with the community
By working closely with educators, we co-design curriculum that balances skill development with creativity and exploration. Documentation supports both teachers and students, offering tools to reflect on learning and track growth over time. The experience culminates in a showcase event where students proudly present their projects and portfolios, transforming individual effort into a collective celebration of learning.
Services
Consultation Services
- Makerspace Design: Plan and build a space that fits your school’s needs
- Tools & Materials: Get recommendations and access to rentals
- Maker Education Integration: Bring hands-on learning into the classroom
Our consultation services support schools in creating and sustaining vibrant maker programs. From designing a makerspace and selecting the right tools, to integrating maker-centered learning into the curriculum, we provide tailored guidance to meet each school’s vision. Whether starting from scratch or expanding existing efforts, we help educators create environments where creativity, problem-solving, and innovation thrive.
Curriculum Development
- Curriculum Design: Align projects with learning objectives and standards
- Scope & Sequence: Build clear progression and supporting materials
- Teacher Coaching: Provide guidance and check-ins throughout implementation
Our curriculum development services ensure that maker-centered learning is both purposeful and practical. We design curriculum grounded in specific standards and objectives, then create a scope and sequence that gives educators a clear roadmap with relevant resources. Ongoing coaching and check-ins support teachers as they bring lessons to life, building confidence and capacity while keeping student creativity at the center.
Professional Development
- Best Practices: Train teachers in effective makerspace strategies
- Creative Sessions: Experience exemplar open-floor activities
- Portfolios: Learn to design and support student portfolios
- Core Mindsets: Identify and cultivate essential habits of learning
Our professional development equips educators with the tools, confidence, and mindsets needed to bring maker education to life. Teachers engage in hands-on creative sessions, experience the flow of an open makerspace, and practice strategies that support both structure and freedom. They also learn how to guide students in documenting their process through portfolios that highlight both work and reflection. By focusing on core maker mindsets—like curiosity, persistence, and collaboration—teachers gain the skills to foster creativity and innovation in their classrooms.