At Gizmo, we are proud to serve everyone, Pre-K to Gray
Year-round, Gizmo offers a wide array of programs designed to help children as young as four grow in creative confidence, develop engineering and problem solving skills, and get hands-on with the same tools our adult members use. Youth who participate in our classes and programs gain new knowledge through making, about science, mathematics, technology, art & more. As they do so, they also develop respect -- for each other, for the space and the tools within it, and for the amazing abilities they didn't know they had.
Learn more about Gizmo's specific programs for youth in the boxes below.
Or, scroll to the bottom of the page to see all upcoming events for kids & teens.
Or, scroll to the bottom of the page to see all upcoming events for kids & teens.
Tinker Time
Tinker Time is a free after-school program for ages 8-13 that meets Mondays from 4-6pm. Each week features a new open-ended design challenge, from building a boat that floats, to robot engineering, to inventing a new kind of musical instrument. Attendance is limited to 20 kids per week.
There are three steps to signing your child up for Tinker Time: |
1) Complete the registration form at the beginning of the season. Click here to access Winter/Spring 2023 Registration.
2) Complete a waiver on behalf of your child by clicking here. (If you have already completed a digital waiver for your child for a separate 2023 program, you do not need to complete one again.)
3) RSVP each week your child plans on attending using the weekly RSVP form.
The first Tinker Time of 2023 will be January 16. We will begin accepting RSVPs Monday January 9 at 6:00pm.
2) Complete a waiver on behalf of your child by clicking here. (If you have already completed a digital waiver for your child for a separate 2023 program, you do not need to complete one again.)
3) RSVP each week your child plans on attending using the weekly RSVP form.
The first Tinker Time of 2023 will be January 16. We will begin accepting RSVPs Monday January 9 at 6:00pm.
NEW! Drill-Bits
Continuing the legacy of our beloved Maker Tots program, Gizmo-CDA will now be offering Drill-Bits: a four-session, biweekly making program for young children with a special emphasis on direct experience with Gizmo's machines and tools. Over the course of four one-hour sessions, children ages 4-6 and an accompanying parent or caregiver will complete hands-on projects organized around a particular theme.
When: Every other Monday from 10:30-11:30am Class Cost: $45.00 (50% scholarships available for families with financial need. Click here to apply.) Click here to register for the first session Blast Off! beginning Feb. 6 |
CS Saturdays
CS Saturdays is a unique program for K-12 students to learn coding, design, robotics and electronics through creative projects and problem solving. Each class series or workshop is a short exploration of a CS topic, geared toward a particular age group. CS Saturday classes require advance registration. Classes are free to local students; however we do ask for a one-time $5.00 registration fee to secure your spot.*
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*If this fee impacts your child's ability to attend, please contact francesca@gizmo-cda.org to ask about a waiver.
Winter/Spring 2023 Class Offerings - Click on a class to view:
Junior Computer Scientists (Grades K-2) - Starts January 21
Teen Soldering Workshop - Edge Lit Acrylic Lamps (13+) - February 18
Build a Bot (Grades 6-8) - Starts February 25
Sewn Circuits - Intro to E-Textiles (12+) - March 25
Thinking Machines: Exploring AI (Grades 3-5) - Starts April 1
Winter/Spring 2023 Class Offerings - Click on a class to view:
Junior Computer Scientists (Grades K-2) - Starts January 21
Teen Soldering Workshop - Edge Lit Acrylic Lamps (13+) - February 18
Build a Bot (Grades 6-8) - Starts February 25
Sewn Circuits - Intro to E-Textiles (12+) - March 25
Thinking Machines: Exploring AI (Grades 3-5) - Starts April 1
Blacksmithing
Gizmo partners with David Walker of Fire Iron Forge to offer all-levels Blacksmithing Fundamentals classes. These classes follow a national curriculum and focus on skill development and technique. Sessions are available 10am-3pm Tuesdays, 10am-7pm Wednesdays & Thursdays, and 10am-3pm the first Saturday of every month. Classes are $30.00 / 1-hour session. You are welcome to register for one or multiple hours in succession.
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Blacksmithing is for ages 8+ If you have a child younger than 8 who is interested in trying the forge, please contact instructor David Walker to discuss options.
2023 Classes begin January 10. To view all available listings and register, click here.
2023 Classes begin January 10. To view all available listings and register, click here.
LINK Home School Enrichment Program
LINK is a one-of-a-kind experience tailored for home school families visiting the makerspace. This three-hour program features side-by-side activities for children and their parents/caregivers, a group tour of the makerspace, and a collaborative making project the whole family can enjoy. Participants also leave with resources to continue making at home.
Cost: $10 / family* |
*If this cost is prohibitive to your participation, you may contact info@gizmo-cda.org to request a waiver.
The next LINK session will take place Friday, February 17, 2023. Click here to register now.
The next LINK session will take place Friday, February 17, 2023. Click here to register now.
NEW! Peers With STEM Careers
Ready to get inspired? Discover your dream career by meeting with STEM professionals in the CDA area! Beginning Thursday February 16th, high school and college students are invited to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) pathways at FREE series of career talks at Gizmo. Attendees under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Click here to learn more about our upcoming session exploring Occupational Therapy!