Dear Tinker Academy Families and Students,
With heartfelt regret, we need to inform you that Tinker Academy (both at SSU and SRJC) have been cancelled this year (2025). Despite best efforts to secure the necessary financial resources, the Career Technical Education Foundation of Sonoma County did not receive the critical funding we had relied upon from key funders. As a result, we are unable to provide the hands-on making and tinkering experience that so many of you were looking forward to.
On behalf of all the organizers – Sonoma County Office of Education, Sonoma State University, Santa Rosa Junior College, and UC Cooperative Extension, we deeply apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience this decision may cause. We know that many of you were excited to participate in Tinker Academy. Please know that this choice was not made lightly, and it saddens us greatly that we are unable to continue this year. We hope to bring Tinker Academy back in the future.
Thank you for your understanding and for your continued commitment to STEM education. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to Leslie Simmons, Vice President, Impact & Investments, Career Technical Education Foundation of Sonoma County at [email protected].
With sincere apologies and gratitude.
Application Period is now closed. Thank you for your interest.
Do you like to make things?
Are you curious about science?
Do you find technology fun?
Two-week day camp, 8-days – 40-hours – for making and tinkering!
Tinker Academy is all about hands-on making and tinkering, engineering design, coding, crafting, 3-D printing, laser router, sewing and circuits. Have fun working with kids from other schools throughout the county in a state-of-the-art maker space.
Tinker Academy is a FREE program designed to engage and inspire middle school students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on maker activities that encourage the exploration and development of technical, mathematical and artistic abilities, participants will gain experience and confidence to set them up for success in school.
This program was originally called the “Girls Tinker Academy” and developed for girls with an aim to support girls, gender-expansive youth, and youth of color who are underrepresented in STEM fields. It is open to all students entering 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grades in Fall 2025.
Tinker Academy is sponsored by the Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation Sonoma County, coordinated by the University of California Cooperative Extension, and organized by Sonoma State University and Sonoma County Office of Education. The Academies are made possible thanks to the generous donations of individuals, businesses and foundations.
Tinker Academy Program Details
Tinker Academy is designed to engage and inspire middle school students and encourage the exploration and development of technical, mathematical and artistic abilities. The hands-on sessions introduce participants to coding, 3-D printing, robotics, crafting, sewing and building.
Cost:
FREE! Supplies are provided throughout the academy; a healthy snack will be provided. Participants should bring their lunch.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Tinker Academy applicants must:
- Attend a school in Sonoma County (you may live outside Sonoma County as long as the student attends within Sonoma County).
- Middle school student in Fall 2025 (entering 6th to entering 9th grades in the 2025-2026 school year).
- (NEW) First time attending Tinker Academy (Due to limitations, we are no longer accept returning youth. We apologize for this inconvenience.)
Application:
Applications for Tinker Academy are closed for 2025. Thank you for your interest.
Questions?
Call Karla Osuna at 707-565-2621 or email [email protected] or stemed@
Watch this video to see what Tinker Academy is all about
Since 2018, Girls Tinker Academy has been offered FREE because of generous gifts from individuals and businesses in our community. Consider a gift today to ensure we can continue engaging and inspiring students in STEM!
Special thanks to these corporate sponsors for supporting our 2024 programs!
Corporate Partners
