Real tools. Real science. Real engineering. Every program is hands-on, standards-aligned, and designed for students who need more than worksheets.
NGSS Aligned
Take-Home Projects
We Come to You
🚀
Compressed Air Rockets Ages 9-11 • 60 min • Up to 20
Design custom fins and nose cones, then launch 200+ feet. Physics they can see, hear, and feel.
- Aerodynamics and drag optimization
- Engineering design with real constraints
- Competitive distance and accuracy challenges
- Every student builds and keeps their rocket
GIFTED FIT: Multi-variable optimization — students who tweak fins, weight, and angle outperform those who don't
🔊
Paper Plate Speaker Ages 8+ • 60 min • Up to 20
Wind copper coils, connect magnets, plug in a phone — music plays through something they built from scratch.
- Hand-wind voice coils (electromagnetism)
- Energy transfer chain: electrical → magnetic → mechanical → sound
- Same physics inside every speaker, headphone, and concert PA on Earth
- Take home a working speaker
GIFTED FIT: Invisible physics made audible — "how does my phone make sound?" finally answered from first principles
🪂
Parachute Engineering Ages 8+ • 60 min • Up to 25
Design, build, drop, measure, redesign. The real engineering cycle — with a drone overhead.
- Test canopy shape, size, material, line length
- Drone-deployed drops from consistent altitude
- Predict → test → measure → improve (scientific method)
- Data collection and analysis built into every drop
GIFTED FIT: Pure scientific method — change one variable, measure the result, defend your conclusion
🌈
Diffraction Grating Glasses Ages 8+ • 45 min • Up to 25
Build spectroscope glasses. Every light source explodes into a rainbow. Identify mystery elements by color.
- Light wavelengths and the electromagnetic spectrum
- Emission spectra: every element has a unique fingerprint
- Same technique astronomers use to read starlight
- Take home glasses — street lights, fireworks, candles all reveal spectra
GIFTED FIT: Connects to quantum physics, astronomy, and chemistry — as deep as the student wants to go
🤖
Brush Bots Ages 6+ • 60 min • Up to 12
Build a vibrating robot in minutes, then optimize it to win the race. Simple circuit, big results.
- Circuits: motor + battery = motion
- Weight distribution affects direction and speed
- Racing finale drives iteration and creative problem-solving
- Every student keeps their bot
GIFTED FIT: Low floor, high ceiling — basic build in 10 min, then gifted students chase optimization
💻
Ethical Hacking Intro Ages 10+ • 2 hrs • Up to 12
Cybersecurity puzzles and real hacking challenges. Gifted-kid catnip.
- Hands-on CTF (Capture the Flag) challenges
- Logic puzzles, pattern recognition, code breaking
- Real tools used by security professionals
- Digital forensics and network basics
GIFTED FIT: Pure problem-solving with no ceiling — the puzzles get harder the faster you solve them
🔧
Real Tools, Not Toy Versions
Soldering irons, copper wire, drones, diffraction gratings, gas discharge tubes. The same equipment professionals use, sized for students.
📈
No Ceiling on Depth
Every program has layers. A 3rd grader builds a speaker. A gifted 5th grader asks why different coil turns change the frequency response.
💡
Productive Struggle
Parachutes that fall too fast. Speakers that are too quiet. Rockets that spin. Failure is data, and iteration is the skill.
🏠
The Learning Continues at Home
Every student takes home what they built. The speaker plays music tonight. The glasses reveal spectra in every light source. The rocket flies in the backyard.
"These kids don't need another worksheet or a video. They need to hold a tool, solve a problem, and build something that actually works."
— Quincy Acklen, Founder & Lead Instructor, Maker Lab Kids
Mix & Match: Sample Enrichment Packages
STEM Sampler (1 day)
Two workshops, one unforgettable day. Pick any two programs.
e.g., Rockets AM + Speakers PM
Science Deep Dive (3 sessions)
One program per week across three science domains.
Rockets + Parachutes + Diffraction
Full Semester (6 sessions)
All six programs as a monthly gifted enrichment series.
15% multi-session discount
What We Bring
- ✓ All materials and equipment
- ✓ Experienced instructor(s)
- ✓ Setup and cleanup
- ✓ Standards alignment documentation
- ✓ Take-home projects for every student
What You Provide
- ✓ Classroom or gym with tables
- ✓ Outdoor access for Rockets & Parachutes
- ✓ Standard electrical outlets
- That's it. We handle everything else.
Pricing
- Single session: $400
- 2 sessions same day: $350/each
- 3+ sessions: $325/each
- Semester (6): $300/each
- Title I schools: 20% discount
Standards
- ✓ NGSS (Next Generation Science)
- ✓ Georgia GSE Science
- ✓ Common Core Math (measurement, data)
- ✓ ISTE Technology Standards
- Full alignment docs at makerlabkids.com/standards
Let's build something amazing.
I'll work with you to pick the right programs for your gifted students.
