Maker/STEAM

With so many tech companies in our area, there are also many opportunities to learn and make. Here are some which we've tried and recommend.

Computers

• Apple Store Classes

  Apple stores offer free classes during the week, including during school hours so those are usually available for homeschoolers. You can sign up individually at the link above, choosing from our closest stores: Stanford, Palo Alto, Hillsdale, Palo Alto and Burlingame.

• Apple Summer Camp

  Apple stores also offer free summer camps which run for a few hours each day over multiple days, using their apps, e.g. Garage Band, iMovie. These fill up extremely fast.

• Coder Dojo

  Coder Dojo is a network of free coding clubs. Locations we know of:
  • Millbrae Library - 5th to 12th graders, registration recommended.

• Microsoft Store Classes

  The closest Microsoft store location for us is in Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. The store offers free training to the public; however homeschoolers can also arrange group classes for coding, STEM and Microsoft technologies.

• Street Code Academy - East Palo Alto

  A non profit offering free coding, entrepreneurship and design classes for the community, with especial outreach to underrepresented communities.

Maker Movement

• Friday@Maker Faire

  Maker Faire Bay Area is always very popular, but also expensive. Friday@MakerFaire offers educators a chance to preview the fair on Friday, with the same booths/makers but smaller crowds and cheaper prices.

• Maker Spaces

  • East Palo Alto library, Weekly Maker Night: Registration recommended. Themed maker activity for the family.
  • San Mateo County Office of Education, Maker Mondays: Drop-in or try a themed activity. You can read about past activities here.

STEAM

• San Mateo County Libraries

  Our libraries host STEAM events often, as often as weekly during the school year and more often during holiday breaks. You can search for them here.  Member Favorites:
  • Beetlelady: Dr. Dole presents throughout the San Mateo County libraries with enthusiasm and an amazing array of specimens.
  • Menlo Park Library: Science Nights.: Showcase of different groups a, e.g. Curiodyssey, Bay Area Discovery Museum with plenty of hands-on activities and specimens.

• San Mateo County Office of Education

  Located near Ralston Av in Belmont, they host training classes and events to promote STEAM education, E.g. the Big Think, Python for Math programming by Peter Farrell.