Young Makers Lab teaches kids to use 21st century skills and tools

BOCA RATON, Fla. - April 12, 2015 - PRLog -- Two Palm Beach County veteran teachers are working nights and weekends to bring 21st century tools and skills to South Florida’s young, creative minds. Children, ages 7 to 14, work in CAD software to create 3 dimensional objects, and then print them on YML’s 3D printers. They create their own video games and video game controllers, build and program their own computer processors, write and direct stop motion animation movies, and so much more!

About Young Makers Lab

We are a Maker-space for kids, offering workshops in a variety of 21st century creative tools and skills. Computer programming, electronics, video game creation, video production, and stop motion animation are all made available and accessible to your kids by our experienced staff and amazing technology.

Why Should Kids Make Things With Us?

YML’s owners Mark and Kris know that you don’t need textbooks and worksheets to learn, and that some of the most powerful learning takes place when kids mix creativity and technology to learn and build. At YML, kids write computer programs, design works of art that are printed out in 3D, build robots, tinker with machines and electronics, and create all manner of amazing things that we haven’t imagined yet.

Through the process of making, math and science are practiced and learned, instructions and reflective blog posts are written, and all sorts of problems are discovered and solved. Along with the strengthening of math, science, and communication skills, kids develop their problem solving skills and build the kind of confidence that only comes with building challenging and amazing things.

The owners and primary instructors, Kris Swanson and Mark Stansell, have a combined 46 years teaching and learning in the Palm Beach County School District. In a recent conversation Mark stated, “It’s frustrating to work within the constraints of the current testing frenzy that is crippling our schools and students. When can we fit in real skills? What about the ability to solve a real-world problem? When can we teach kids how to make the stuff they imagine?”

A small sample of what we offer at YML

Maker Clubs

Maker Clubs are groups of similar-aged young makers who meet weekly to build on projects that combine multiple technical and creative skills. Makers will build basic electronic projects, write computer games and other programs, build moving machines and vehicles, design and craft their own clothes and 2D artwork, and much more!. Not only will kids bring home the amazing things that they create, but they will build their knowledge and confidence in mathematics and science as well.

Video Game Coding

Participants will develop their own video games utilizing one of the most popular video game coding software packages available – developed by the engineers at MIT. They will create their own account, create their own games, share their projects with each other.

Lego Robotics

Makers will build and program Lego Mindstorms – designed to help students take ownership of the learning process, enabling them to actively develop the problem-solving skills and collaborative outlook necessary to become creators, not just consumers.

Video Production

Campers get to bring their imaginations to film. We use state-of-the-art video production equipment including cameras, and digital, non-linear editing tools.

Web Building with HTML, CSS and JavaScript (Coding)

Most of what we see on the web is written using a trio of interconnected languages - HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In this workshop, we will create our own interesting and interactive websites built around things that interest the young makers who are participating. Through a series of activities and projects, we will use the web to tell stories that are interconnected and rich in all types of media. Learning these tools will open up a new creative world for your children.

3D Design and Fabrication with 3D Printers

Designing and printing a three-dimensional object out of plastic may seem like something from the distant future, but with today's 3D printers and easy to use Computer Assisted Design software, it is something that kids can do with the right instruction and a little practice. Once they have the basics down, there are few limits to what young makers can design and produce!

Visit www.youngmakerslab.com or call (561) 923-9243 to learn more about YML and its initiatives.