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Overview

Mind Makers is an unconventional educational initiative created by a NASA JPL engineer to help expand the future of the STEM field community. Under the mentorship of engineers from some of the most creative companies in the country, adult participants from underrepresented or unconventional backgrounds will be introduced to concepts that are key to developing technology through a hands-on and interactive project.

View the official website here. Further reading in the brainstorming document.

Sections

Review the pages below for more information various aspects of the project:

• MindMakers Mission
• Key Roles
• Curriculum Planning
• Software Platform
• Program Metrics
• Top Risks
• Open Questions

Playbook

The following is a playbook focused on making organizing this program reproducible to a broader audience. The playbook is used to capture guidelines and process to be followed for organizers interested in creating a "chapter" in their city:

• Student and Volunteer Outreach
• Student Admissions
• Session Breakdown
• Class Operations
• Measuring Success
• Program Exhibit
• Engaging Alumni
• Organizing Organizers

Program Summary

Target Audience

The target audience for the course is as follows:

• No significant existing engineering experience
• Any adult older than 18
• Students spend 6-8 hours of time for 6 weeks

Program Structure

• 50-60 students participate during the course
• 6-week initial program with weekly sessions
• Students are expected to be able to spend 6-8 hours each week
• Students are expected to attend every session
• (?) Follow-on sessions available after the completing the initial course

Program Outcomes

The program is designed to focus on empowering individuals and helping them to develop confidence and a tinkerer mindset:

• Helping foster the builder mindset
• Providing the knowledge, tools and context to be able to build things of their own design
• Confidence in their own ability to learn new things
• New appreciation the value of teaching others
• Discovering that engineering is very creative and empowering

Refer to the Program Metrics page for more details.

Timeline

• Early January - Existing engineers start exhibit design
• Mid-January - Major curriculum development starts
• Early February - Outreach to potential students
• Mid-February - Exhibit venue confirmed
• March - Open house session for interested students
• March - Application opens for people to sign up
• Mid-April - 6-week class for students kicks off
• August - Exhibit unveiled to the public

Partners:

• TEDxLA
• Golden
• Earth Angels
• CodePath

Documents

List of relevant Google Docs:

• People Spreadsheet
• Admissions Planning
• Curriculum Planning