Learning Made Extraordinary!

Every school break, we find it hard to look for an interesting summer program where Izhi would be interested in. I tried ballet for her when she was 6, but dancing isn't her first love. We suggested that she try basketball, swimming, theater and so on to no luck. 

However, several schools who gave them computer knowledge test, visited us at home and offered a discount for us to enroll Izhi to their basic programming workshop. Apparently, Izhi has achieved high marks on their exams and is offering us a discount upon enrolling. We discussed the matter and decided to decline since we think that she will just forget the lessons since she won't be doing it often. We are looking for something that will bring out the creativity in her.

We were invited to a one day free workshop at SparkleLab where we can try their programs. I must say I was impressed! The place was laid-back kinda homey where strange and wonderful things happen. There were Lego's, sewing kits, code, motors, pipe cleaners, inflatable pools and solar cells converge in peculiar and compelling ways. Its a maker shed, where kids, teens or even adults will be able to movr through inspiration, play, design, media and lounge spaces seamlessly, as they work individually and collaboratively to creat unique toys, games, and wearable fashion and gadgets.

In short, its a place for Izhi. 

SparkleLab designs play based on learning experiences mainly in the realm of STEAM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math ). Their objective is to prepare kids for success in the future by teaching them critical 21st century skills such as Imagining, Research or Finding Inspiration, Exploring, tinkering and experimenting, Designing, procedural thinking, Collaborating and Connecting or Sharing ideas to name a few. To cut it, SparkleLab creates creative problem solvers, innovators and life-long learners by making learning Extraordinary!

We met Rossana Lopez who founded SparkleLab in 2013. She holds an MA from Teachers College at Columbia University, an MA in Digital Arts from Universidad Popeu Fabra and a BSc from Georgetown University. She has worked on education for over a decade with prominent institutions such as the UN, UNICEF, and the institute of Play in New York.

An amazing background that assures us that Izhi will definitely learn and enjoy her time.

I also had the privilege to meet their CEO, Jacqueline van den Ende. Who shared with me that their mission at SparkleLab is to not only to teach kids technical stuffs, but to spark their hidden creativity.

They have summer programs available for kids aged 7-18 years old:
Game Makers 1. They start at a good game then they create their own. Through a series of challenges, they learn about developing game rules, objectives, core mechanics and challenges. Constant play testing and feedbacks are integral to the process.
Game Makers 2. Adventures in Scratch - where they will build game design taught in Game Makers 1.
Toy Mill: Mad Scientist's Lab. Participants can create creepy cute monsters that talk, paper animals that dance, a race car or a power rocket. Make a sweet little plush toy that can act as a night light or. A toy soldier that can play trumpet at first light.
Get Reel: The Art of Stop Motion. Develop the craft of storytelling and create beautiful stop-motion animations.

Summer Schedule Fees:
A workshop consist of 6 sessions of 3 hours.
Morning Schedule:
10 AM - 1 PM
Afternoon Schedule:
2 PM - 5PM
P8, 500
Group size is between 5-12 kids

Summer Workshop Schedule:
Gamemakers 1: May 1-13 Mon/ Wed/Fri
10 AM - 1 PM
Gamemakers 1: May 15-27 Mon/Wed/Fri
10 AM - 1 PM
Gamemakers 1: May 29-June 10 Mon/Wed/Fri
10 AM - 1 PM
Get Reel: May 1-13 Mon/Wed/Fri
2 - 5 PM
Get Reel: May 15-27 Mon/Wed/Fri
2 - 5 PM
Toy Mill: May 1-13 Tue/Thu/Sat
10 AM - 1 PM
Toy Mill: May 15-27 Tue/Thu/Sat
10 AM - 1 PM
Gamemakers 2: May 1-13 Tue/Thu/Sat
2 - 5 PM
Gamemakers 2: May 15-27 Tue/Thu/Sat
2 - 5 PM
Gamemakers 2: May 29 - June 10 Tue/Thu/Sat
2 - 5 PM
Toymill: May 29-June 10 Tue/Thu/Sat
10 AM - 1 PM
Get Reel: May 29 - June 10 Mon/Wed/Fri
2 PM - 5 PM

They also have programs for kids age 3.5-6 years old called Bytesize.
This is program is designed for little tinkers, scientists, artists, engineers. It is a 2 hour play group filled with stories, wacky design jams and lots of play. It consists of 8 sessions, 2 hours each every Monday and Wednesday in May from 10 AM to 12 Noon with a group size of 8.

For more information and inquiries about SparkleLab's program, you may visit their fun website at www.sparklelab.ph or visit their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/sparklelabofficial/

You can also directly contact their friendly founder:
Rossana Lopez
0917-6212846
Rossana.lopez@sparklelab.ph
And their CEO:
Jacqueline van den Ende
0917-8014778

You can also drop by and have a feel of the workshop at 455 P.Guevarra St., San Juan City. Its a small building right next to Cafe Ysabel

Rossana giving the kids instruction about the stop motion activity.

Team A made a strange nursery rhyme stop motion short clip.

Yuri trying out the Bytsize workshop.

Daniel the cute teacher with the Bytesize kiddos.

Daniel and Yuri playing

Team B made a zombie apocalypse stop motion short clip.