Our Programs

Our Core Engineering programs are our biggest “sandbox;” this is the safe space for kids to learn and discover the most through play. It’s about the process, not the result. Themed classes and camps explore imaginative worlds that kids already know and love, such as Star Wars or Ninjago

The Core Engineering curriculum consists of Intro to STEM and STEM Challenge. These programs are broad in theme and draw upon the greatest variety of possible projects. Returning students will be given new building challenges. Our Advanced Engineering programs are designed for experienced students. Themed classes and camps such as Jedi Engineering and Super Hero Engineering incorporate many engineering concepts, and have no prerequisites.

Intro to STEM

Pre-Engineering Project Ratchet up your imagination with tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Design and build as never before, and explore your craziest ideas in a supportive environment. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Each season's course features different engineer-designed projects. For 2018-2019 our curriculum features these projects:

  • FALL: Motorcyles, Castles, Airplanes, and Monorails
  • WINTER: Cities, Garbage Trucks, Catamarans, and Dinosaurs
  • SPRING: Fire Trucks Space Stations, Tugboats, and the Eiffel Tower
  • Ages 5-6, Grades K-1
  • All Play-Well Locations
  • No Prerequisites

STEM Challenge

Engineering FUNdamentals Project Power up your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies and tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Each season's course features different engineer-designed projects. For 2018-2019 our curriculum features these projects:

  • FALL: Belt Drive Cars, Truss Bridges, Rail Racers, and Pneumatic Forklifts
  • WINTER: Forklifts, Houseboats, Mini Golf Courses, and the London Tower Bridge
  • SPRING: Bulldozers, Hovercrafts, Hot Air Balloons, and the Great Wall of China
  • Ages 7-12, Grades 2-6
  • All Play-Well Locations
  • No Prerequisites

Minecraft Engineering

Pre-Engineering Mine, Craft, Build Bring Minecraft to life using tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Build engineer-designed projects such as a motorized Creeper, a portal to the Nether, and a moving Minecart! Create your favorite Minecraft objects with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor. Whether you are new to Minecraft and LEGO® materials or a seasoned veteran, you'll be hooked on the endless creative possibilities.

  • Ages 5-7, Grades K-2
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Minecraft Master Engineering

Engineering Fundamentals Mine, Craft, Build Bring Minecraft to life using LEGO® parts! Build a motorized walking Creeper, a terrifying Ghast, and a motorized Minecart! This project-based camp, designed by Play-Well instructors, combines the basic format of our core engineering-themed programs based on the world of Minecraft. Students will explore real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture while building their favorite Minecraft objects. Students will have a blast, even without any prior experience with Minecraft or LEGO® materials.

  • Ages 7-12, Grades 2-5
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Ninjaneering

Ninjaneering Project Enter the world of Ninjago and become an apprentice Ninjaneer! Learn the way of Spinjitzu, build the Fire Temple, race Skull Trucks, and encounter the mighty Dragon! Imagine and build unique and fun LEGO projects with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor while exploring the fantasy world of Ninjago. This is an ideal way to prepare young Ninjaneers for the challenge of Ninjaneering Masters with LEGO camp.

  • Ages 5-6, Grades K-1
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Ninjaneering Masters

Ninjaneering Master Master the world of Ninjago by becoming a Ninjaneer! Tame the Ice Dragon, motorize your Blade Cycle, design the Dark Fortress, and hone your Spinjitzu battle skills! In this advanced LEGO camp, Ninjaneering masters will learn real world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture while exploring the fantasy world of Ninjago.

  • Ages 7-12, Grades 2-5
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Jedi Engineering

Jedi Engineering The Force Awakens in this introductory engineering course for young Jedi! Explore engineering principles by designing and building projects using LEGO® materials such as X-Wings, R2 Units, Energy Catapults, Defense Turrets, and Settlements from a galaxy far, far away. Create motorized and architectural projects with imagination and engineering to defeat the Empire!

  • Ages 5-7, Grades K-2
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Jedi Master Engineering

Jedi Master Engineering The Force Awakens in this advanced engineering course for young Jedi! Discover key engineering concepts such as gear trains, worm drives, pneumatics, and eccentric motion. Build projects using LEGO® materials such as X-Wings, AT-AT walkers, Pod Racers, Star Destroyers, Cloud Cities, Settlements, Fortresses, and other complex machines and structures from a galaxy far, far away.

  • Ages 7-12, Grades 2-5
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Batman Gotham Gadgets

Batman Gotham Gadgets Take on Gotham's villains by designing and building Batman's favorite crime-fighting machines! Build the Bat Tumbler, craft a Batwing, and design your very own Batcave, all out of LEGO® materials. Then use your projects to help save the city. Be the super-hero or super-heroine Gotham needs while learning how the world works through STEM concepts!

  • Ages 5-6, Grades K-2
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Batman Master Mechanics

Batman Master Mechanicss Defeat Gotham's villains by designing and building Batman's most advanced crime-fighting machines! Infiltrate Arkham Asylum, build a Bat Cycle, and fly your Batcopter. Then use your projects to thwart the Joker's plans to take over the city. Be the super-hero or super-heroine Gotham needs while engineering solutions through the use of STEM concepts!

  • Ages 7-12, Grades 3-5
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Super Hero Engineering

Super Hero Engineering Save the world with Super Heroes! Build the hideouts and vehicles of your favorite caped crusaders and learn what makes them not only Super Heroes, but Super Hero Engineers! An experienced Play-Well instructor guides young heroes as they design, build, and save a city where ingenuity and imagination can solve any conflict.

  • Ages 5-6, Grades K-1
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Super Hero Master Engineering

Super Hero Master Engineering Super Heroes need your help to defeat the destructive forces of evil arch-villains as they threaten LEGOpolis! Explore the tools and techniques of your favorite caped crusaders and learn what makes them not only Super Heroes, but super engineers. An engineering curriculum designed by Play-Well challenges heroes to design, build, and save a city where ingenuity and imagination can solve any conflict.

  • Ages 7-12, Grades 2-5
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Bash'em Bots

Bash-Em Bots Have you ever wanted to learn how to make a massive motorized machine from LEGO® parts? Our Play Well Engineering instructors guide students in this advanced Play-Well engineering camp, as they re-engineer standard vehicles into mechanized machines that can traverse challenging obstacles, battle against fellow bots, and take on Play-Well Instructors’ colossal creations.

  • Ages 9-12+, Grades 3-6+
  • Most Play-Well Locations
  • Suggested Prerequisite: Stem Challenge or equivalent

Engineering Challenge

Engineering Challenge Are you ready for the Engineering Challenge? Learn to build mechanical devices such as a scissor lift, air compressor, or drawbridge in this advanced course for our strongest builders. Then work in teams to accomplish a large-scale mission such as a minifigure rescue or a Rube Goldberg machine!

  • Ages 9-12+, Grades 3-6+
  • All Play-Well Locations
  • Suggested Prerequisite: Stem Challenge or equivalent <

Junkyard Challenge

Junkyard Challenge Are you ready for the Junkyard Challenge? Iterate, build within constraints, and compete in this advanced course for our strongest builders. Design innovative answers for challenges such as Follow the Hose, Thread the Needle, and the Tunnel Challenge using Play-Well’s “junkyard,” a massive collection of over 20,000 LEGO® parts.

  • Ages 9-12+, Grades 3-6+
  • All Play-Well Locations
  • Suggested Prerequisite: Stem Challenge or equivalent <

Robotics using the LEGO® WeDo® System

Robotics using LEGO® WeDo Build and program robots in this introductory Robotics class using the LEGO® WeDo® system. Learn basic programming skills, simple engineering concepts, and the names of robot components.  Work in small groups to complete several projects using tilt and motion sensors.  This is a great way to prepare young Robotics enthusiasts for our more advanced Robotics programs.

  • Ages 7-9, Grades 2-5
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Jedi Robotics using the LEGO® WeDo® System

Jedi Robotics using LEGO WeDo Build and program robots inspired by a galaxy far, far away using the LEGO® WeDo® system! Lift an X-Wing from Dagobah swamp, program a droid-sorting factory, and land an Imperial Shuttle using motion sensors. In small groups, learn basic programming, engineering, and robotics concepts in a fun Jedi-themed environment.

  • Ages 7-9, Grades 2-5
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Robotics using the LEGO® EV3/NXT System

LEGO Robotics using EV3/NXt Build and program robots using the LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 or NXT system! Learn about mechanical and software design, loops, conditional statements, problem solving, and teamwork skills. Work in small groups, program and build your robot, and rise to the challenge. Control the robot to avoid obstacles, pick up and carry objects, and play sounds. Projects are structured so that students work in an open-ended, investigative environment while having fun.

  • Ages 9-12+, Grades 4-6+
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Jedi Robotics using the LEGO® EV3/NXT System

JEDI Robotics using EV3/NXt These ARE the droids you’re looking for! Build and program robots inspired by a galaxy far, far away using the LEGO® Mindstorms® system. Navigate a minefield, target shield generators, and even respond to the Force using Play-Well’s full array of sensors and servos. Learn about mechanical and software design, loops, conditional statements, problem solving, and teamwork skills. Work in small groups to solve problems in this open-ended Jedi-themed environment.

  • Ages 9-12+, Grades 4-6+
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Mine, Craft, Build Adventure Game

Mine, Craft, Build Adventure Game Bring Minecraft to life using LEGO® materials! Resourcefulness, creativity, and cooperation come together in this unique building adventure game; roll the dice to mine for resources, and use these resources to build special items to help in our adventures! Build a Zoo, create a Medieval Castle, and design a Tree House Village! This experience is an original game designed by Play-Well instructors inspired by the popular game, Minecraft. Students will have a blast, even without any prior experience with Minecraft or LEGO® materials.

  • Ages 5-7, Grades K-2
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

Mine, Craft, Build Survival Game

Mine, Craft, Build Survival Game Bring Minecraft to life using LEGO® materials! Resourcefulness, creativity, and cooperation come together in this unique building adventure game; roll the dice to mine for resources, craft tools, and watch out for Creepers! This ultimate Play-Well Minecraft experience using LEGO® materials is an original game designed by Play-Well instructors, using gameplay elements and characters inspired by the popular Minecraft video game. Students will have a blast, even without any prior experience with Minecraft or LEGO® materials.

  • Ages 7-12, Grades 2-5
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

JediCraft Adventure Game

JediCraft Adventure Game Mine, craft, and build the Star Wars universe using LEGO® parts! Roll the dice to gather Jedi resources. Then build a Pod Racer, craft a Droid, or create the Treehouse Village of Endor! This novice Play-Well game using LEGO® materiasl is inspired by the Minecraft tablet game and the Star Wars fantasy setting.

  • Ages 5-7, Grades K-2
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None

JediCraft Survival Game

JediCraft Survival Game Mine, craft, and build the Star Wars universe using LEGO® parts! Roll the dice to gather Jedi resources. Then build a Starship, craft Light Sabers, and use the Force to survive Empire attacks. This advanced Play-Well game using LEGO® materials is inspired by the Minecraft tablet game and the Star Wars fantasy setting.

  • Ages 7-12, Grades 2-5
  • Select Play-Well Locations
  • Prerequisites: None