Maker Lab

$350 per month

Lab Sessions

A mentored lab where the student works on their own project. We use project based learning. How this works is that the students are taught the basics of a project and it is up to the student to put everything together.

Starting at 6 years old we offer the Buildologie program (Lego Robotics). The student work on building a robot made from Lego parts with sensors and motors. The student then learns how to write simple programs with a program like Scratch where the program is a drag and drop environment.

At 8 years old we recommend starting the Fabologie course (Raspberry Pi and Python). Student there will work on basic circuits and learn how to control them with Python programming language. Once the student gets the hang of basic electronics, the student then works with CAD design to use either a laser cutter or a 3d printer.

After the student goes through the basics, we have other courses that are stronger in programming like Codologie (Python, C++, Java) or focus more on art like Gamologie (Unity Engine with 2D, 3D games) or App and Web design on Appologie.

We are available:

Monday - Friday:
4:00pm - 8:00pm

Saturday and Sunday:
9am - 3pm.

You can choose any day and any 2 hour block between those times for the class.

What will you build?

Classes available in the lab

Buildologie

Great for beginners! No coding knowledge required.

Fabologie

Explore cool projects in Raspberry Pi and Arduino platforms.

Codologie

Great for students that want to improve their coding skills.

Gamologie

Recommended for students that are art driven and creative.

Appologie

For the advanced student looking for a coding challenge.

Starting January 2022

Lab Schedule

Monday 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Tuesday 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Wednesday 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Thursday 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Friday 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Saturday 9:00am - 3:00pm

Sunday 9:00am - 3:00pm

Closed on Major Holidays

Lab availability is based on the amount students enrolled per session. Please call for availability.

Lab enrollment

How to Enroll

Thank you for choosing Bytes & Bots labs. To enroll you must choose a schedule that works for you. To sign up, just let us know what days and times you would like to sign up and we can get you started. All classes are in person.

When can my student come to the lab?

You will get access to the lab any day of the week at any session, as long as it's not full. Let us know at least 1 day in advance for any schedule changes.

How does payment work?

Each payment is due the first of the week. We accept almost all forms of payments.

Missed classes

We do not allow any rollover classes. If you missed a class you must make it up within the month. Make up classes cannot be carried over to another month. No exceptions. Lab sessions are available only for the month purchased.

What class is the right one?

We have several classes for students at different levels and interests. The popular beginner/intermediate classes we have are Buildologie and Fabologie. We highly suggest doing a trial class before signing up. The process of singing up for a trial class is the same, you must call us.

What is project based?

Our programs is project based. This means every student works on their own project at their pace. Students usually work on a project for 3 – 4 classes and present their project to their peers and parents at the end of the class.

LEGO NXT & EV3

Buildologie

The Buildologie Class is for beginner students without any experience in programming. This class is usually recommended for students in 1st – 4th grade that have little to no experience in programming or robotics. The class focuses on building a project using Lego bricks with sensors and electronics and program the project with block based program provided by Lego. Students will learn both linear and parallel programming to control different states of the robot. It usually takes ~6 months to complete the minimum amount of programming and building to move on to either EV3 or Fabologie course.

Who is this class recommended for?

Open to any student. Great for a starting point for young student as young as 6 years old or students that love building projects.

What will be learned?

Students will learn the basics of programming. They will understand loops, switches and movement blocks. They will also learn basic mechanical engineering where they will understand the purpose of the 2 peg rule and what role that plays with stability and sturdiness of the robot.

Do I need to buy anything? Can I keep it?

We provide all the parts to build the robot. If the student is making an advanced project we usually 3d print the part or order the part and bill the parent. After the robot is done, the robot will be disassembled so other students can use those parts. No parts may leave the lab unless given permission from mentor.

How do I know when the student is ready to move on?

The mentor is the one that keeps track of progress. Usually the mentor picks project hat require the student exercise on the same sensor or new sensor. When the mentor sees that the student demonstrates some proficiency with programming then the mentor will move on to the next sensor/block. The final project to graduate from Buildologie NXT is Bluetooth Controlled Car.

Raspberry Pi & Arduino

Fabologie

The Fabologie Class is for students that start from 3rd grade. This is recommended if the student has had prior experience in programming or show interest in programming or electronics. The students work on a microcontroller called Raspberry Pi and program in a language called Python.

Who is this class recommended for?

Open to any student 3rd grade or higher or students. No prior experience in programming needed.

What will be learned?

Students will learn the cause and effect relation when they program the Raspberry Pi to react when a certain condition is met. Students will also learn basic Python syntax in order to control the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins. Students will learn to control basic electronics that require digital signals to function. Students doing Arduino will learn the same but in Arduino C language. The electronics they will control is mostly in analog signals.

Do I need to buy anything? Can I keep it?

When the student starts doing advanced projects we charge extra for the materials. Example materials charge are: Cardboard, 3D filament, foam board, electronics, etc.
The cost will be discussed before the project get started with the parent. At the end the student can keep the project if they pay for the Raspberry Pi or Arduino.

How can we continue at home?

We offer an kit that students can take home. With those electronics students can replicate any of the projects done in the class. We do not assign homework or take home assignments. This a hands on project that needs to be worked on at the lab that cannot be taken home.

Python | Java | C++

Codologie

Codologie Class focuses on the core of programming and the syntax of the programming languages. Students usually start off with Python then move on to OOP programming in Java then finally move to C++ to understand pointers and memory locations. This class is intense and should be taken by students that have completed the Fabologie course or are older than 12 years old.

Who is this class recommended for?

Students that have taken Fabologie course or is interested in learning strictly just programming on the screen and is older than 12 years old. This course compliments AP Computer Science course. Students can work on projects in AP Comp Sci in this session.

What will be learned?

Students will learn proper programming structure, etiquette and techniques. In the Python course students will learn functional programming with a hint of class objects. In the Java course students will learn OOP (Object Oriented Programming) and learn the difference of public/private constructors. In the C++ course students will learn memory management, indexing, passing by reference vs value.

How can we continue at home?

Usually the student is recommended to create a Github account so they can upload their project and have access to it on any device they own to continue programming. Although mentors will not assign homework, it is recommended for the student to take the project home and try to solve the current problem.

Unity 2D & 3D

Gamologie

Students will explore game design process. The students will design their own game assets depending on their game genre. Usually students start with 2D games then move on to 3D once they understand the 2D plane movement. Students will be programming in C#. These projects also will take longer since game design usually requires a lot of rule changing/polishing to make the game fun.

Who is this class recommended for?

Students must have a background in programming. Either Python, Java or C++ is okay.

What will be learned?

Students will explore the 2D and 3D world. They will learn what rigidbodies, colliders and triggers are. They will also learn how to create a program hook when these events trigger each other. Students also will learn basic animation, 3d modeling and map building. Of course they will learn to write programs in C#.

How can we continue at home?

Android & iOS

Appologie

Students will learn the process of app making. This course does require students to know programming since Android is taught in Java or Kotlin and iOS is programmed in Swift. Students will learn how the program controls the front XML. Student will understand delegates, programming in parallel and UI design.

Who is this class recommended for?

Students must have a background in programming. Either Python, Java or C++ is okay.

What will be learned?

Students will learn how to create event hooks and how to properly respond. Students will also learn how to run functions in parallel and expect returns from delegates. UI (User Interface) is also an important concept that students will learn to make. This includes, padding, margin, relative vs absolute positioning and text options.

How can we continue at home?

Refunds

We know times are rough but we will not issue refunds.

Missed Classes

Because of our new monthly access you can make up the classes anytime before the month ends.

Still have questions?

Are you ready to enroll? Just pay and start your lab session. Still have a question? Still not sure what class is the correct one? Call or email us. You can also request a trial class.