Junior Inventor's Shed

Entering Grades 5-8*

Technology and Art collide as we explore digital fabrication, rapid prototyping, and hands-on design through projects that blend art, engineering, and imagination. No prior experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to build, experiment, and innovate.

*This is a Junior Artists program and will follow those guidelines outlined in our FAQ section.

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Overview

Inventor’s Shed invites young makers to step into the world of design, prototyping, and invention. Over the course of one week, students will learn to use cutting-edge tools in the Creative Technology Lab, including 3D printers and laser cutters, alongside traditional design methods like sketching and model-making in softwares like OnShape, Blender, & Adobe Illustrator. Guided by faculty, participants will design original projects that may range from stencil & stamp making, interactive sculptures, and product prototypes.

Each day, the program balances structured skill-building workshops with open lab time, allowing students to bring their own ideas to life. Along the way, students develop creative problem-solving skills, learn to collaborate, and gain confidence in turning ideas into tangible prototypes. The week concludes with a public exhibition where students showcase their inventions to peers, family, and the wider community.

*The final culmination is Friday afternoon, with Saturday being a move-out day for residential students.

Additional Information

This program does not require any type of assessment or portfolio to get into the program. Instructors will work with your child at their level. Your child will improve and learn new skills, whether they are a beginner or have been an artist for years.

A refillable water bottle
Comfortable clothing for studio work
Sturdy closed-toe shoes (required in the lab)
Notebook/sketchbook and pencils/pens
Personal laptop or tablet for design work (optional)

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am (breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00pm – 5:45pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Jorja Garcia is a Chicano artist from Oxnard, CA. Their creative practice combines drawing/painting, photography, weaving, and sculpture to collapse notions of home, chaos, and everyday queerness. Jorja received their B.A. in Visual Arts from Columbia University in the City of New York. They are an instructor of design in the Creative Technology Lab at ��ֱ�� where they love to blend the use of technology with craft for projects like furniture design, weaving, and mold making.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about summer programs

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