Sparkle LAB’s extraordinary learning programs for kids

Shane recently joined one of the SparkleLab’s Summer Workshop in San Juan and explore one of its free trial summer programs.

Sparklelab designs play based learning experiences mainly in the realm of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). They do this amongst others by conducting after-school and summer workshops for kids. The aim is to train children for success in the future by teaching them critical 21st century skills such as Imagining, Research/Finding inspiration, Exploring, tinkering and experimenting, Designing, procedural thinking, Collaborating and Connecting/Sharing to name a few. Through SparkleLAB’s extraordinary learning scheme, they create creative problem solvers, innovators and lifelong learners.

Sparklelab’s Summer workshops accept kids between 7 and 18 years of age. Since Sparklelab also believes in intergenerational learning, they don’t segregate kids by age groups, but they actually have a special program for kids younger than 7 called Bytesize.

Here are the different summer programs that your children can take:

Game Makers 1

Everyone loves a good game, right? Now you can make your own! You can start off by playing games and modding (i.e. modifying) them. Then, through a series of challenges, you’ll learn about developing rules of play, game objectives, core mechanics and challenge. Start designing board games, card games, and role playing games, then learn the basics of developing digital games in Gamemakers 2. Constant play testing and feedback are integral to the process. And it’s a whole bunch of fun! Calling all gamers! Game on!

Game Makers 2

Adventures in Scratch – builds on the understanding of game design taught in Game Makers 1. Venture into the world of digital games! Learn to program using the programming language Scratch. You will learn to write the narrative of your own game, design, core mechanics, components and the like and then build your very own video games.

Toy Mill: Mad Scientist’s lab

Create creepy, cute monsters that talk, paper animals that dance, a race car or water powered rocket to impress your friends, create a sweet little plush toy that works as your night light, or a toy soldier that plays a horn at first light to help you initiate your day. If you can dream it, you can build it!

Get Reel: The Art of Stop Motion: Develop the craft of storytelling and create beautiful stop-motion animations using Lego’s, post-its, photographs, clay or anything you dream up! Capture moments, edit them together, design your soundscape, level up with special effects. Then sit back, relax and enjoy some popcorn during the evening premiere!

Each workshop consists of 6 sessions, 3 hours each:

Morning session: 10am –  1pm

Afternoon session: 2pm – 5pm

That makes it a whole day and costs PHP 8,500. Each group size can be between 5-12 kids.

If you want to check it out, feel free to join them for a free trial any time.  Sharing with you their on-going schedule:

MAY SUMMER WORKSHOPS

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16	Gamemakers 1: Gamemakers 1: Gamemakers 1: Get Reel: Get Reel: Toymill: Toymill: Gamemakers 2: Gamemakers 2: Gamemakers 2: Toymill: Get Reel:	May 1-13 May 15-27 May 29-June 10 May 1-13 May 15-27 May 1-13 May 15-27 May 1-13 May 15-27 May 29-June 10 May 29-June 10 May 29-June 10	Mon/Wed/Fri Mon/Wed/Fri Mon/Wed/Fri Mon/Wed/Fri Mon/Wed/Fri Tue/Thu/Sat Tue/Thu/Sat Tue/Thu/Sat Tue/Thu/Sat Tue/Thu/Sat Tue/Thu/Sat Mon/Wed/Fri	[10AM-1PM] [10AM-1PM] [10AM-1PM] [2PM-5PM] [2PM-5PM] [10AM-1PM] [10AM-1PM] [2PM-5PM] [2PM-5PM] [2PM-5PM] [10AM-1PM] [2PM-5PM]
Bytesize for kids 3.5 – 6 years of age

Byte Size, as I’ve mentioned, is Sparklelab’s program for little tinkerers, scientists, artists and engineers between 3.5 and 7 years of age.  Their two-hour play groups are filled with stories, wacky design jams and loads of fun so kids learn domain specific skills such as natural philosophy, chemistry and electronics.  They also learn dispositions such as creative & critical thinking, design thinking, intelligent resourcing, systems thinking, iteration and collaboration. These skills, mind you, are critical for success in the 21^st century.

This summer, Byte Size is hosting a Circus of Delight filled with cute little animals, clowns, color and games. Listen to stories. Play dress up. Wiggle, giggle, build, paint and craft. Kids will learn about storytelling, sensory play, role-playing, tinkering, simple circuits, arts and crafts and more.

A Bytesize workshop

Monday and Wednesday (May) 10AM to 12Noon (8 sessions of 2 hours each)

The group size can accommodate a maximum of 8 kids.

Unfortunately, we made it at the venue very late and the workshop has already started the program when we arrived.  Shane was able to catch up a little by joining the Zombie Apocalypse’s team and observing over the other groups.  And one thing I have observed, SparkleLab can bring out the best in our kids since they will be able to fully express themselves through their extraordinary learning programs. With that, I’m so excited to enroll her for Sparklelab’s Learning Programs when they finally open their Alabang branch so I can let Shane explore more of her mind and creativity as well as express her best self!

Here’s Sparkle Lab June Summer Camps Schedule:

For other details, please visit sparklelab.ph