

May 2023 Classes at Tynkertopia
Classes in May will meet for four weeks starting the week of May 8th, except Saturday classes, which will begin May 6.
All classes (except Sewing, Creative Movement, Lego Club, and Lego Robotics) meet for 1 hour for 4 consecutive weeks. Descriptions of all classes, age requirements, and class fees are listed below. We are excited to offer these STEAM learning opportunities to area children and youth. Please arrive at least five minutes before classes begin.
We reserve the right to cancel classes with less than 3 registrants. Online registration closes Friday May 5th. To register after this date or have questions, please call 928-326-3400.
Click HERE to register and pay for May 2023 Classes.
TUESDAY CLASSES
- Children’s Story Hour
- Dates: May 9, 16, 23, 30
- Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- 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 wonderful children’s literature. Listen to Dr. Alice read a well-known children’s book followed by an arts and crafts and STEAM projects inspired by the book.
- Foundations of Dance
- Dates: May 9, 16, 23, 30
- Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- Intended Audience: 1st – 5th grade students
- Instructor: Jenna Papai, Tynkertopia Director
- 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 dance from ballet to hip-hop.
- Introduction to Acting and Improv
- Dates: May 9, 16, 23, 30
- Time: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- Intended Audience: 2nd – 6th Grade Students
- Instructor: Jenna Papai, Tynkertopia Director
- Description: A fun introduction to the basics of stage presence, emotional expression, character creation, and improvisation for the stage.
WEDNESDAY CLASSES
- Sewing
- Dates: May 10, 17, 24, 31
- Time: 2 – 3:30 PM
- Class Fee: $45
- Intended Audience: 3rd Grade – High School Students
- Instructor: Angela Price, Seamstress and Tynkertopia Volunteer
- Description: Are you interested in learning to improve your sewing machine skills? Then this class is for you. Sewing machines, fabric, and thread provided! Just bring your curiosity and imagination.
- Introduction to Gardening
- Dates: May 10, 17, 24, 31
- Time: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
- Class Fee: $35
- Intended Audience: 1st – 6th Grade Students
- Instructor: Dr. Alice Christie, Tynkertopia Founder, and Flagstaff Gardener
- Description: In this class, children will learn the basics of gardening and composting. We will plant seeds inside to transplant to the Tynkertopia Community Garden later in the spring. This class will help kids become more sensitive to their environment, develop fine motor skills, explore biology and science, develop a hobby – all while learning the basics of gardening. All soil, compost, garden beds, and seeds are provided by Tynkertopia.
- Take Apart and Peek Inside
- Dates: May 10, 17, 24, 31
- Time: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- Intended Audience: 2nd – 12th Grade Students
- Instructor: Ward Davis, Retired Engineer, and Tynkertopia Volunteer
- 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.
THURSDAY CLASSES
- Beginning Cooking
- Dates: May 11, 18, 25, June 1
- Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Class Fee: $35
- Intended Audience: 1st – 6th Grade Students
- Instructor: Jenna Papai, Tynkertopia Director
- Description: During this class, we will prepare, cook, and eat a delicious and nutritious snack or mini meal. All materials and food provided by Tynkertopia.
- Introduction to Coding for Children Aged 4-6 Years
- Dates: May 11, 18, 25, June 1
- Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- Intended Audience: Children Aged 4-6 Years Old
- Instructor: Jenna Keany and colleagues, NAU Ph.D. Computer Science Students
- Description: Introduction to basic block coding principles using Code-A-Pillar, Code.org, and other hands-on and unplugged activities.
- Coding for 2nd – 5th Grade Students
- Dates: May 11, 18, 25, June 1
- Time: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- Intended Audience: 2nd – 5th Grade Students
- Instructor: Josh Collier, Computer Programmer, and Tynkertopia Volunteer
- 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.
FRIDAY CLASSES
- Engineering with Paper
- Dates: May 12, 19, 26, June 2
- Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Class Fee: $35
- Intended Audience: 2nd – 6th grade students
- Instructor: Dr. Alice Christie, Tynkertopia Founder
- Description: Engage in hands-on building and use simple materials made of paper and cardboard to create paper projects and explore engineering challenges. All materials provided by Tynkertopia.
SATURDAY CLASSES
- Creative Movement for PK–K Students
- Dates: May 6, 13, 20, 27
- Time: 10:15 – 11:00 AM
- Class Fee: $25
- Intended Audience: Preschool through Kindergarten Students (Ages 3 – 6)
- Instructor: Jenna Papai, Tynkertopia Director
- Description: Explore movement and music while nurturing creativity and developing physical skill, grace and agility.
- Introduction to Drawing
- Dates: May 6, 13, 20, 27
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Class Fee: $35
- Intended Audience: 2nd – 6th Grade Students
- Instructor: Dr. Angela Yamauchi, Tynkertopia Program Coordinator
- 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. All materials provided by Tynkertopia.
- Lego Club
- Dates: May 6, 20, 27 (Note: 3 classes of 1.5 hours each)
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- Intended Audience: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade Students
- Instructor: Brenden Nielsen, Tynkertopia Neighborhood Youth Coordinator
- Description: LEGO Robotics helps kids enhance their engineering skills and creativity. This class will inspire participants’ imaginations and challenge their minds.
- Lego Robotics
- Dates: May 6, 20, 27 (Note: 3 classes of 1.5 hours each)
- Time: 12:30 – 2:00 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- Intended Audience: 3rd – 8th Grade Students
- Instructor: Brenden Nielsen, Tynkertopia Neighborhood Youth Coordinator
- 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.
- Introduction to Origami
- Dates: May 6, 13, 20, 27
- Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
- Class Fee: $35
- Intended Audience: 2nd – 6th Grade Students
- Instructor: Dr. Angela Yamauchi, Tynkertopia Program Coordinator
- Description: Explore the art of folding paper! Learn the basics of folding technique and reading diagrams. Depending on student experience level and interest, activities may include folding easy flowers and animals to more complex designs, including modular origami models. Along the way, students can experience basic geometry concepts through hands-on activity. All materials provided by Tynkertopia.
- Introduction to 3D Printing
- Dates: May 6, 13, 20, 27
- Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
- Class Fee: $35 (includes all materials for 3D printing)
- Intended Audience: 4th – 8th Grade Students
- Instructor: Dr. Angela Yamauchi, Tynkertopia Program Coordinator
- 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. All materials provided by Tynkertopia.
- How Computers Work
- Dates: May 6, 13, 20, 27
- Time: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
- Class Fee: $30
- Intended Audience: 3rd – 6th Grade Students
- Instructor: Brenden Nielsen, Tynkertopia Neighborhood Youth Coordinator
- Description: Students will learn how computers work, including how the processor, memory, input and output devices work together to accomplish tasks. Kids will be introduced to ways they can use a computer for playing games, doing homework, and talking with friends.
Please call 928-326-3400 if you have any questions about classes or would like to request other classes for the future. Thanks!