About Our Classes
Concentrations Explained
Click here to see all Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 Concentrations.
Einstein’s workshop is rolling out new school-year-long “concentrations.” Concentrations meet on the same day and at the same time all school year. Most concentrations consist of four of our popular classes for a given interest and age range. This way, kids can enjoy a school year full of STEAM learning and families get a consistent schedule. Students may join concentrations throughout the academic year, usually at the Quarter mark. If students want to try something new, they can switch to a different concentration at the end of each Quarter.
Concentrations Offered
Hands-On STEAM
Hands on STEAM is a great introduction to Einstein’s Workshop. Younger students (grades K-3) get a taste of robotics, programming, science, engineering, and inventing. Slightly older students learn all of the above but also receive an introduction to computer art and design. Starting in grade 4, students learn how to design 3D-printable objects, design and make their own laser-cut glowboxes, learn stop motion animation, and design their own board games. By middle school, our students are learning arduino and other electronics. High schoolers take the learning further, even learning how to operate our 3D printers and our laser cutter.
Minecraft STEAM Classroom
The kids think they’re playing a game, but we know they’re learning a lot! Starting in first grade, kids learn math, architecture, and roller coaster design, all inside Minecraft. By fourth grade, we’re teaching them medieval history, electronics, and computer programming. Minecraft is a great motivator! We’ve got kindergarten Minecraft fans covered too; they learn basic digital citizenship skills and how to use computers, including keyboard and mouse skills, in our Minecraft Adventures Club (see below).
LEGO Engineering and Robotics (FIRST LEGO League)
Einstein’s Workshop started as a FIRST LEGO League, so FLL will always be near and dear to us. Younger kids learn LEGO robotics using human power–cranks, levers, winches–and electronics–motors, sensors, and computers. Then they put their skills to work as part of a FIRST LEGO League Explore team. After the class is over, teams present at a Robotics Festival where they celebrate their hard work with family and friends. Often other teams from around Massachusetts participate in the same festival. Students end the year as Jr. LEGO Masters! Fourth through eighth graders can join a FIRST LEGO League Challenge team for the first half of the school year, then try out Vex Robotics in the second half.
Science and Engineering
Does your child want to be Newton or have Fun with Things that Fly? Maybe they want to build handmade robots or other upcycled machines or invent their own unique creations! Then this is the concentration for them.
Computer Programming
Children in grades 3-6 learn Scratch, a programming language developed at MIT that has caught on worldwide. They’ll start with the basics but will be telling their own stories or writing their own computer games, (yes, including platformers) by the end of the year. This concentration is appropriate for kids who already know some Scratch or who have never seen it before as these courses are very adaptable to the interests and skills of the students. Middle schoolers can learn Java Animation and Minecraft modding.
Computer Art and Storytelling
Students learn many different techniques from still digital art, stop motion animation, and storytelling in Minecraft. The year ends with a course in filmmaking with an emphasis on How to be a Youtuber.
Clubs
Minecraft Adventures
Join a group of like minded builders, crafters and adventurers playing Minecraft. Play on two servers, one in creative mode for unlimited building of epic structures and one in survival mode for the ultimate adventure. Students learn the meaning of good digital citizenship, teamwork, and how to use computers, including keyboard and mouse skills. Our seasoned staff guide students’ focus on building and growing as a group in this one-of-a-kind experience.
Dungeons & Dragons
Embark on grand adventures! Explore long lost lands, battle perilous foes, and make new friends along the way. Dungeons and Dragons is great for developing imagination, creative problem solving, and teamwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
I only see Q1 classes. How do I see and sign up for a Q2, Q3, or Q4 class?
There are options inside each concentration that say (class name) – Q2, (class name) – Q3, etc. However, you have to click “show details” to see those options.
For example the LEGO Engineering and Robotics concentration for grades 1-3 has:
- Amazing LEGO Machines – Q1
- Advanced LEGO Robotics – Q2
- LEGO Engineering Fair – Q3
- Jr. LEGO Masters – Q4
These are all selectable individually if you don’t want to sign up for the entire year. The system defaults to signing you up for the Q1 class with the “pay quarterly” option but you can remove that from your cart then select individual classes from later quarters.
Do any concentrations have prerequisites?
Only one of our concentrations, LEGO Engineering and Robotics 2.0, has a prerequisite for Quarter 1 and 2. Students must have taken our FLL Skills class or previously participated in an FLL Challenge team to join us for the first half of LEGO Engineering and Robotics 2.0. The FLL Skills class is offered in Quarter three and several times during the summer. Students with no prior experience may join LEGO Engineering and Robotics 2.0 once we move on to Vex Robotics at the start of Quarter 3.
How is tuition charged?
Tuition is charged in four installments (except for the LEGO Engineering and Robotics 2.0 concentration). The first installment is charged on the day of enrollment to secure the student’s spot. Subsequent charges are made during Weeks 8, 16, and 24. After initial payment, the remaining Quarters’ tuition installments are automatically charged to the credit card on file without further authorization.
You may withdraw before the second, third, or fourth Quarter payments (except for the LEGO Engineering and Robotics 2.0 concentration) provided you notify Einstein’s Workshop, in writing, at least two weeks prior to the next payment date. You may request a transfer or credit provided you notify Einstein’s Workshop, in writing, at least one week before the start of the next Quarter.
To place a drop, transfer, or credit request for your student, please contact info@einsteinsworkshop.com.
Why is the first half of the LEGO Engineering and Robotics 2.0 concentration sixteen weeks, not eight weeks like other classes?
In the first half of LEGO Engineering and Robotics 2.0, students join a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge team. The FLL season goes into December and can go longer if the team advances beyond the regional competition. For teams that don’t advance, we use the final few weeks to teach advanced robotics programming techniques that will serve the kids well in future FLL competitions.
Why is the cost of joining an FLL team higher than other concentrations?
FLL teams meet for 1.5 hours/week; most of our other classes meet for 1.25 hours/week. FLL team membership includes the FLL team registration fee, competition entry fee, access to the competition game board, and all robotics pieces necessary to compete. Einstein’s Workshop covers those charges for its teams. Parents will be asked to cover expenses related to competing beyond the state competition (travel, registration fees, etc.). Note that the third and fourth quarters of LEGO Engineering and Robotics 2.0 cost a little less because those classes meet for 1.25 hours/week instead of 1.5 hours/week.
