Pinhead: Winter Classes Announced

07 Feb Pinhead: Winter Classes Announced

Six-week courses for children and adults begin Monday February 9

Pinhead Institute headquarters will be buzzing this winter as the local non-profit offers more classes than ever before with a full calendar of six-week courses designed to get both kids and adults excited about science, technology, engineering, and math.

“Science is expanding at such a rapid rate that Pinhead has to expand right along with it,” said executive director Sarah Holbrooke.  “That’s why we’re offering so many new courses and classes and clubs. It’s a great time to be involved in STEM!”

Each week kicks off with 3D Modeling & Printing for Kids, held Monday afternoons, 3:30  5:30 p.m. February 9 – March 16, have fun creating whatever gadget, gizmo, or even jewelry their minds can dream up while a Pinhead expert simplifies Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD) for 3D modeling and helps the students learn how to build solid objects on a 3D printer. The price for the six-week course is $100.

“You can see the light in their eyes when the kids see something they’ve designed printing out. It’s a great experience for everyone involved,” said Holbrooke.

Pinhead will also offer a new edition of its regularly sold-out MAD LABS program with the arrival of MAD LABS: Winter 2015 Edition. Timed to coincide with Telluride School District’s early-release days, the six-week series is scheduled for Tuesday afternoons, February 10–March 17, 2-5 p.m., at Pinhead HQ.

Individual labs are themed around particular areas of science and encourage kids to experiment, learn, design, create, investigate and more. Unlike Pinhead’s other winter classes, kids from kindergarten through 4th grade can sign up for individual sessions at $40 each or purchase the entire six-week series for $200.

“Our MAD LABS are all about hands-on learning, and that’s really the best way to help kids of this age to love learning,” Holbrooke continued.

Next up is sumo wrestling robot-style at Pinhead HQ as LEGO MINDSTORMS robots duel in the dohyo. Wednesday afternoons, February 11– March 18, 3:30-5:30 p.m., kids ages nine+ will learn to build these programmable machines, customize them with additional parts built on Pinhead’s 3D printers, and program them to gain an edge in the battle ring and beyond. The price for the six-week course is $100.

“Working on robots together, kids learn teamwork and also get confident in their own skill set and strengths,” Holbrooke explained.

Though Pinhead Institute normally targets school-age children for its STEM education programs, so many adults have expressed interest in learning more about 3D printing that this winter they get a dedicated class of their own.

“While Pinhead mainly works with kids, we opened up our drop-in 3D printing class to adults last month and were thrilled to see all the interested grown-ups come through our door,” said Holbrooke. “So we decided to dedicate one night a week to the adults who want to learn and join the ‘maker’ movement.”

Rounding out the week, 3D Modeling & Printing for Adults will take place at Pinhead HQ on Thursday nights, February 12– March 19, 6-8 p.m. In the course, a Pinhead expert will demystify Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD) for 3D modeling to teach the 3D printing process to aspiring inventors, venturesome video game developers, motivated “makers” and anyone else who’s interested in turning their ideas into reality. The price for the six-week course is $100.

In addition, Pinhead has just added a C++ Computer Coding Class going for ten weeks starting Tuesday, February 17, 6 – 8 p.m. with a break during Telluride’s school spring vacation.  The course is appropriate for students 8th grade and up who have some familiarity with programming. It will be taught by local Moiz Kohari, as he shares Pinhead’s deep commitment to beefing up STEM in the region. The price for the ten-week course is $400.

Registration for all classes is available online here.

For more information about these and other Pinhead Institute programs please call 970-369-5190 or visit here.

The Pinhead Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and Smithsonian Affiliate based in Telluride, Colorado that educates and inspires children and adults in the greater Telluride region about the wonders of science and technology through engaging programs, direct interaction with scientists, and unique research-centered internship experiences. To learn more visit: www.pinheadinstitute.org or call 970-369-5190.