About Mentorship through Gizmo:

​Mentoring at Gizmo-CDA is a one-on-one experience with a qualified Gizmo staff member or volunteer.  Mentorship hours are perfect for those wishing to learn how to operate a new tool/machine, or to receive support on a particular project.

Mentor hours are billed at an hourly rate:

Member rate: $20/hour
Non-member rate: $40/hour

Mentor Hours are available for the majority of tools and machines at Gizmo. They are a great opportunity to learn new skills or build on existing ones. Mentor Hours are scheduled in advance and can be scheduled any time during operating hours, subject to mentor ability.

At this time, we are usually unable to accommodate walk-in mentor hour requests. 
​

Looking to get certified in a tool you have used before, outside of gizmo?
​

You can schedule a mentor session for that too.

Any scheduled mentor session that takes less than 15 minutes is free, so if all you need is to demonstrate that you can safely operate a table saw or a soldering iron, this is a quick, easy and free way to do it! Even though these appointments are short, we appreciate you scheduling them in advance as it ensures we will be able to accommodate you when you arrive.

As a reminder, all tools at Gizmo require you to be certified by a qualified staff member or volunteer prior to using them independently, regardless of membership status. This is to ensure the safety of you and everyone in the makerspace, and to keep our tools in optimal condition for community use.

To schedule a mentor hour, please call us at (208) 929-4029 and be ready with the following information:

• Name & contact information
• Membership status
• Tool/machine for which you would like to receive mentoring
• General purpose of mentor session (to learn a new tool, get certified on a tool you already know, advice on a specific project, etc.)
• Your general availability

​Mentorship FAQ

​Do I have to schedule a Mentor Hour in order to be certified to use a tool?

Mentor Hours are one of several pathways to certification on a tool at Gizmo. Other pathways include attending a class on the tool, or through work done as part of our volunteer program. Certification through one of these pathways is required to use the tools at Gizmo, even if you have experience with that tool in a setting outside Gizmo. Scheduling a Mentor Hour in advance ensures that we will have someone available to certify you, which means you can get to making faster! As a reminder, we do not charge for Mentor H ours that take less than 15 minutes. This is intentional, to ensure that there is a cost-free avenue for getting certified on a tool you already know.

How old do you have to be to schedule a Mentor Hour?

At Gizmo, we strive to serve makers of all ages: pre-K to Gray! While we do not have a specific age requirement for Mentor Hours, there are some tools that are not appropriate for our youngest makers, or which may be better experienced in a class or community program designed for children. In other cases, we may ask that a child be accompanied by a parent/guardian. (In the majority of cases, children over 12 will not require parental supervision.) If you are interested in scheduling a Mentor Hour for your child, give us a call! We'll get details about your specific situation and figure out the best way forward.

Can I schedule mentoring with my friend/spouse/child/etc.?

While mentoring is usually one-on-one, we can accommodate multi-person mentor sessions on a case-by-case basis. Multi-person Mentor Hours are billed at the same rate, regardless of the number of mentees. While this can offer a cost savings, participants should be aware that instruction in these cases will be less individualized and may involve less content being covered or time hands-on with the tool. However, it can also be a fun and rewarding experience to learn alongside a friend or family member! If you are interested in adding additional people to your Mentor Hour, please inquire at the time of booking. Our ability to accommodate a particular request depends on several factors including the tool/machine being learned, mentee age/experience, and the mentor's preference.