Makerspace Summer Camps

Calling all Makers! We are thrilled to offer ten fun and interesting Makerspace camps during the morning and afternoon summer camp sessions to rising 2nd - 8th grade students from June 19 - July 28. Register for one, two in a row to make it a full day, or more and create and learn all five weeks! Our Makerspace camps are led by Joanne Papini, our amazing Makerspace teacher at Almaden Country Day School. 

Experience engineering, story planning, writing, designing/design thinking, basic structures, physics, and gameology. Cutting edge technology! Use a variety of low-tech and high-tech tools including mini saws, drills, engravers, coding apps, Scratch and MakeCode, Muse Laser Cutter, TinkerCad, Inkscape, StopMo, and more! Gain new skills, learn how things are made and how they work.

2024 Themes:

• Makerspace: Beginning Coding and Game Design - Whether you’re new to block coding or ready to try python or javascript, you’ll learn the basics of working with microcontrollers like Makey Makey, Microbit and Arduino. Every maker will create interactive projects that feature both offline, low tech mechanisms using 3D printed and laser cut animal shapes and lock box puzzles using servo motors. Back online we will add the code to program our designs. Makers can take home everything they make except the microcontrollers.
• Makerspace: Advanced Makers and Mentors for the Greater Good - This will be a one of a kind PBL experience for incoming and current Middleschoolers only. Mentors will get to try every tool in the Makerspace through hands-on projects like accessible playground models; interactive games and tutorials using microcontrollers, laser cut sign making for communities and designing maker activities for elementary students. An emphasis on safety and sharing one’s knowledge with others will be a priority. Each day we will explore how we can use the Makerspace tools to benefit others: helping younger students, designing prosthetics for humans and animals, environmental solutions and more.
• Creating with Clay - Get your creativity going and let's explore clay! In this class students will learn clay modeling techniques and develop their ideas into finished works of art. Projects will include animal figurines, tiles and pots. Participants will also decorate factory-made ceramics with colorful glazes. Finished projects will be fired in the kiln. All levels welcome!
• The Art of Glass - Let’s learn about glass! This class combines hands-on art projects with the history and science of glass-making. Students will “time travel” to Ancient Egypt and Renaissance Italy to investigate some of the traditional techniques, including glass casting and fusing. Projects will include: tiles, jewelry and beads. Participants will also explore creative ways to recycle and repurpose glass. All levels welcome!
• Build a Bag Workshop - Time to get crafty! Sew your very own tote bag at our Build a Bag Workshop! Our crafty counselor, Ms. Ruiz, will be your guide as you pick the perfect fabric and get busy on the sewing machine. Remember, "measure twice, cut once" is the crafter's golden rule! So, let's get stitching and bring those visions to life!
  
• Hands-On Animal Habitats - Ever wonder how a hermit crab picks its shell? Why do raccoons and skunks come out at night? Come find out why animals act the way they do by studying their habitats! In this hands-on camp, campers will become animal experts as they learn about coastal creatures as well as animals of the forest. We will have plenty of hands-on learning as well as creating, such as dissecting owl pellets, and making your own large paper animal 'pillow' to take home!
• Presidential Campaign 2024 - A rare opportunity to take a deep dive into the drama of an election cycle as it’s happening, facilitated by a seasoned teacher who once worked for the campaign of a presidential nominee. We’ll learn about how the system works (or is supposed to work) and the long list of things that make the 2024 election historically unprecedented. We’ll also discuss each morning’s breaking campaign news and figure out answers to the campers’ own questions as they come up.
• Fiber Arts Exploration - Embark on a creative journey at our Fiber Arts Exploration Camp, where imagination intertwines with tradition, and campers delve into the vibrant world of textiles and fiber mediums. Campers will create projects using weaving, batik, yarn, and string painting, while also discussing prominent fiber artists and where these mediums can be seen throughout the world. For example, campers will make their own yarn paintings inspired by traditional Huichol methods. This camp is a retreat for young artists eager to explore the rich tapestry of fiber arts.
• Lego Robotics Adventure with WeDo - Embark on a thrilling journey into the world of robotics with our exciting LEGO Robotics Adventure using the WeDo LEGO app! This summer camp is designed for young innovators and aspiring engineers who are eager to combine creativity with technology. Campers will engage in hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and problem-solving challenges, all while having a blast with LEGO bricks. No prior experience with robotics or programming is required. This course is designed for beginners with a curiosity for robotics and a passion for building with LEGO.
• Imposter Cooking - Join us for a unique culinary experience where you can showcase your creativity and prepare food that not only looks appetizing but also has a surprise element to it. Our imposter food camp challenges you to create dishes that are deceptively delicious, such as enchiladas and bacon, tomato, and lettuce sandwiches. In each session, you will have a new set of challenges to work on, making sure that your culinary skills are put to the test. And don't worry, all of the recipes will be nut-free. At the end of the camp, you will receive a cookbook with all of the imposter food recipes, so you can continue to experiment with these dishes at home. Plus, you will also receive a kitchen tool to help you in your future culinary adventures. So come join us and let's make some mouth-watering imposter food together!
• Garden Ecosystems (PreK) - Embark on a magical journey into the heart of nature with our Garden Ecosystems Camp! This immersive experience is a delightful blend of fun, exploration, and hands-on learning in our little Pre-K Garden. Get ready to enter the enchanting realm of buzzing bees, fluttering butterflies, and wiggly worms. From bountiful produce to towering trees, our campers will become nature detectives, exploring the wonders of the garden. Engaging activities like nature walks, tending the worm farm, and scavenger hunts will foster a deep connection with the natural world. Through simple experiments and creative play, campers will understand the importance of sun, rain, and wind in nurturing our garden ecosystems. We will plant the seeds of curiosity as we engage in gardening activities.