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Student coding

August Classes at Tynkertopia

All classes meet for 1 hour or 1.5 hours for 4 consecutive weeks. Descriptions of all classes and class fees are listed below. Call 928-326-3400 to inquire about scholarships. In-person payment occurs during the first class. We are excited to offer these STEAM learning opportunities. We reserve the right to cancel classes with less then 3 registrants.

Click HERE to register for August Classes.

TUESDAY CLASSES

  • Introduction to Coding for Children Aged 4-6 years
    • Dates: August 9, 16, 23, 30
    • Time: 4 – 5 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: Ages 4-6 years
    • Instructor: David Hendershott, Tynkertopia Director
    • Description: Introduction to basic block coding principles using Code-A-Pillar, Code.org, and other hands-on activities.

  • Coding for 2nd – 5th Grade Students
    • Dates: August 9, 16, 23, 30
    • Time: 5 – 6 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: 2nd – 5th Grade Students
    • Instructor: David Hendershott, Tynkertopia Director
    • Description: Introduction to basic coding principles through gamified learning experiences using block-based coding languages
      consisting of text.  Students should be able to read on grade level.

  • Grow Your Brain
    • Dates: August 9, 16, 23, 30
    • Time: 4 – 5 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: 2nd-5th grade students
    • Instructors: Dr. Alice Christie, Tynkertopia Executive Director
    • Description: In this class, 2nd-5th grade students will explore the importance of logical thinking and problem solving in real life contexts. Students will engage in numerous hands-on activities, including Kiwi Kits, that develop 21st Century skills.

  • Learn to Paint with Watercolors
    • Dates: August 9, 16, 23, 30
    • Time: 5 – 6 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: 1st – 5th grade students
    • Instructors: Dale Peters, self-taught artist who began drawing and painting as a kid
    • Description: In this class, Dale will guide elementary school children in the basics of using watercolors to create unique works of art they can treasure forever.

WEDNESDAY CLASSES

  • Foundations of Dance
    • Dates: August 10, 17, 24, 31
    • Time: 4 – 5 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: 1st – 5th grade students
    • Instructor: Jenna Papai, Tynkertopia Staff Member
    • Description: In this class you will learn the basics of vocabulary, position, posture, musicality, and artistic expression that form the building blocks of virtually every type of of Dance from Ballet to Hip-Hop
  • Introduction to Acting and Improv
    • Dates: August 10, 17, 24, 31
    • Time: 5 – 6 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: 2nd – 6th grade students
    • Instructor: Jenna Papai, , Tynkertopia Staff Member
    • Description: A fun introduction to the basics of stage presence, emotional expression, character creation, and improvisation for the stage.
  • Children’s Literature Hour
    • Dates: August 10, 17, 24, 31
    • Time: 2 – 3 PM
    • Intended Audience: Preschool Students
    • Instructor:  Dr. Alice Christie, Tynkertopia Founder and retired professor who taught children’s literature classes at ASU
    • Description: Immerse yourself and your child/ren in children’s literature. Listen to Dr. Alice read a well-known children’s book followed by an arts and crafts project inspired by that book.

THURSDAY CLASSES

  • How to Build a Tynkering Mindset
    • Dates: August 11, 18, 25, September 1
    • Time: 2 – 3 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: Parents or guardians AND their children ages 2.5 to 5 years
    • Instructors: Dr. Alice Christie, Tynkertopia Executive Director
    • Description: Tynkertopia welcomes parents or guardians with their preschoolers for a four-week learning series. Nurturing curiosity is a key to lifelong learning. We will explore why play is the best way for young children (and most of us) to learn and how everyday home items and recyclables can spark creativity. We’ll brainstorm open-ended questions that encourage creative thinking for young minds, and showcase quality age-appropriate books that spark the imagination of young minds.
  • Lego Club 
    • Dates: August 11, 18, 25, September 1
    • Time: 4 – 5 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: Elementary and Middle School Students
    • Instructor: David Hendershott, Tynkertopia Director
    • Description: Building with LEGOs is a great way for kids of all ages to enhance their engineering skills and creativity. After each LEGO Club meeting, the creations will be taken apart so that they can be used to solve different challenges in the next LEGO Club meeting.
  • Lego Robotics 
    • Dates: August 11, 18, 25, September 1
    • Time: 5 – 6 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: Upper Elementary and Middle School Students
    • Instructor: David Hendershott, Tynkertopia Director
    • Description: Building with LEGOs is a great way for kids of all ages to enhance their engineering skills and creativity. After each LEGO Club meeting, the creations will be taken apart so that they can be used to solve different challenges in the next LEGO Club meeting.
  • Scrapbooking
    • Dates: August 11, 18, 25, September 1
    • Time: 4 – 5 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: Elementary and Middle School Students, Parents Welcome!
    • Instructor: Natalie Rose, Tynkertopia Volunteer Coordinator
    • Description: Create an “All About Me” scrapbook  that answers questions, tells stories, and shares pictures of you and your life.

FRIDAY CLASS

  • Learn to Knit
    • Dates: August 12, 19, 26, September 2
    • Time: 4 – 5 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: Upper Elementary and Middle School Students, Adults
    • Instructor: Dr. Alice Christie, Tynkertopia Executive Director
    • Description: Learn the basics of knitting. Create a mini-masterpiece using just knit and purl. All materials provided by Tynkertopia.
  • Take Apart and Peek Inside
    • Dates: August 12, 19, 26, September 2
    • Time: 4 – 5 PM
    • Class Fee: $30
    • Intended Audience: Curious elementary, middle, and high school students
    • Instructor: Ward Davis
    • Description: Each week, participants will use the Tynkertopia workshop and tools to take apart computers, laptops, cell phones, hard drives, and a variety of other electronic devices to learn about how each device works. When possible, they will repair the device so it can be repurposed.

SATURDAY CLASSES

      • Get Ready to Film: Digital Movie Making
        • Dates: August 13, 20, 27, September 3
        • Time: 9 – 10:30 AM
        • Class Fee: $40
        • Intended Audience: Upper Elementary and Middle School Students
        • Instructor: Dr. Alice Christie, Tynkertopia Executive Director
        • Description: Learn how to capture great movie footage and sound at home using tablets, phones and/or digital cameras. No prior experience necessary.
      • Designing for 3D Printers 
        • Dates: August 13, 20, 27, September 3
        • Time: 10:30 – 11:30 PM
        • Class Fee: $40 (includes all materials for 3D printing)
        • Intended Audience: Upper Elementary through High School Students
        • Instructor: David Hendershott, Tynkertopia Director
        • Description: Learn to use introductory Computer Aided Design software to design 3D models. Learn the basics of 3D printing to print and test our models using Tynkertopia’s two 3D printers.
      • Learn to Draw: Visual Art and Science
        • Dates: August 13, 20, 27, September 3
        • Time: 12 – 1 PM
        • Class Fee: $30
        • Intended Audience: 2nd – 5th grade students
        • Instructor: Angela Yamauchi, Ph.D.
        • Description: Practice basic drawing and painting, while learning about the art and science of perspective and color. While most of our time will be spent making mini masterpieces, we will also explore how we see colors, learn about the color wheel, and get creative with ink chromatography.
      • Beginning Chess 
        • Dates: August 13, 20, 27, September 3
        • Time: 1 – 2 PM
        • Class Fee: $30
        • Intended Audience: 2nd – 5th grade students
        • Instructor: Levi Haynie, Coconino High School Senior and Chess Coach at Killip School
        • Description: Learn the rules of chess and improve your chess game by practicing with other beginning chess players with the guidance of an experienced Chess Coach.

        Please call 928-326-3400 if you have any questions about classes or would like to request other classes for the future. Thanks!