In Tinkering, students explore materials, supplies, tools and concepts in an open-ended, adult-guided way. Past Tinkering sessions have involved making custom Minecraft controllers with Makey Makey, exploring linkage mechanisms with cardboard and brads, testing out paper circuits to make light-up cards and pictures, taking apart consumer electronics and toys to see what’s inside, and a multi-week construction of an elaborate Rube Goldberg device. Tinkering is where we try out new ideas as a group, and encourage one another as we try to get our thing to work.

This special tinkering course is tailored for a younger audience including children who are still developing their fine-motor skills.

Dissections is one of our most popular courses! In this 8-week class, we will learn dissection and science lab safety practices, practice microscope skills, and dissect three specimens – an earthworm, grasshopper, and starfish – and learn about their habitats, adaptations, and anatomy.

This Spring we will be studying the anatomy and physiology of aquatic and marine animals, including the lamprey, starfish, dogfish, and stingray. We will also cover science lab protocol and safety, as well as a review of microscope skills. There is a $70 supply fee for this class, which includes a personal dissection kit and safety glasses as well as high quality, double-injected specimens (where applicable). Students will dissect their own lamprey and starfish and will share the dogfish and stingray with a lab partner, as these are easier to dissect with a helping hand.