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!
Days
Hours
Minutes
Sonoma State University Maker Space

July 22 to August 1

(Monday to Thursday; no Fridays)

9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Daily

1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Sonoma County Office of Education

July 23 to August 2

(Tuesday to Friday; no Mondays)

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily

5340 Skylane Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

The SSU Tinker Academy aims to give students opportunities to engage with new and existing STEM interests through the use of the Maker Space. We aim to empower them with the confidence to learn through making. Tinkerers will also get to see demonstrations from STEM departments at SSU. Tinkerers will engage with STEM concepts such as 3D and 2D design, a competitive demonstration of potential to kinetic energy, use of a variety of modern and traditional making methods, and for their final project combine these new and existing skills to design and make their own informative STEM themed Board Game.

The SCOE Tinker Academy will provide students with opportunities to engage with new tools, create a variety of artifacts, learn new skills, and explore existing interests. Tinkerers will engage with STEM concepts such as coding, digital manufacturing, solar, and will get to build their own robot!

Tinkering 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 2024.

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.

CTE Color Logo

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:

  • Be middle school students in Fall 2024 (entering 6th through 9th grade).
  • Attend a middle school in Sonoma County.

Application:

To be considered for participation, all online forms and recommendations must be completed:

  1. Complete the Tinker Academy 2024 Application by April 3
  2. Video or audio submission (part of application)
  3. Recommendation from Math or Science Teacher (Tinker Academy program staff will make the request to your teacher based on information you provide)
 

Questions:

Call Miguel Delgado Chavez, 707-565-2621

Email stemed@ucanr.edu

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 2021 programs

PECG
Western Health Advantage 4CP Corp Logo Full Color_Clear