Tinker Academy MINI!

Thanks to a final burst of collaboration, we are pleased to announce Tinker Academy MINI. Although the full two‑week program is not possible this year, the Sonoma County Office of Education, Santa Rosa Junior College, and UC Cooperative Extension 4‑H crafted this condensed option so that students who enjoy making and tinkering still have a vibrant place to learn and create together. We do recognize that this invitation comes late and appreciate the need for families to finalize summer plans well in advance.

Tinker Academy MINI is a four‑day program that blends coding, robotics, 3‑D printing, and design challenges in Santa Rosa Junior College’s state‑of‑the‑art maker space.

Dates: Tuesday, July 15, through Friday, July 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. daily
Location: Santa Rosa Junior College Lindley Center for STEM Education Maker Space
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–9 in Fall 2025 who attend a Sonoma County school
Registration Fee: $50 dollars (covers materials and morning snack; students bring lunch)
Capacity: 24 students; to ensure a high‑quality, hands‑on experience

How to Register

Complete the online registration and pay $50 by credit card at https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=46233
Watch for a confirmation email with program logistics and required forms.

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.