Overview

The Bakken Museum's education programs provide a supportive environment for kids to learn science, technology, engineering, and math concepts, try out tools, and unleash their inner innovators. In each session, expert educators and volunteers provide guidance and room to fail to foster a growth mindset in all participants. We offer flexible, student-driven programs for all skill and knowledge levels.

Additional Information

Program Structure

• We offer single-day and multi-week workshops, and camps during summer, winter, and spring breaks.
• Projects are student-led and open-ended to provide space for students to plan, build, improve, and show off a project of their design.
• During Inventors Club, kids spend consecutive Saturdays exploring the intersection of art, engineering, and science by building a project in the makerspace.
• During school break camps, students experiment with technology, code, and creativity, resulting in a take-home project they'll be proud to show off.
• During summer camp at The Bakken Museum, students design and build their own inventions, practice creative thinking skills, make magic tricks, and play games.

Eligibility & Program Details

• On-site education programs are for grades two through nine.
• The Young Makers camp is designed for innovators who will be entering 2nd or 3rd grade in the fall. To best accommodate the younger audience, this is a half-day camp that has a morning session from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a separate afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Students will engage with group problem-solving challenges, skill-building, project time, and take-home tricks, and we've tailored the activities, materials, and tools specific to this age group.
• Campers entering grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 will design and build their own project with full access to the museum makerspace and all of the tools and materials. Campers will be challenged, their creativity will be stretched, and their problem-solving skills will be exercised as they practice the innovation process.
• The major difference between this session (for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders) and the rest is what the students bring of themselves to the camp. The projects and challenge solutions from this session tend to be more advanced and/or complex. Otherwise, these camps are mostly intended to give our older campers a chance to work among their peers.
• Our all-girls camp features the same activities and challenges as the other camps, with the only difference being the composition of the class. All-girls camps are intended to present girls with the opportunity to explore activities and environments that too often appear reserved for boys. By providing a camp for girls exclusively, we hope to provide a safe, comfortable environment that empowers young women to pursue science and innovation in their lives. *The Bakken Museum seeks to be an inclusive and supportive environment for all learners. Our "Girls" camps include young people who identify as cis, trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender queer, gender expansive and any girl-identified young person).
• Students learn to responsibly use tools and technology.
• Students spend time outdoors on our grounds at the adjacent park.
• Students learn to share their challenges and celebrate successes.
• Campers go home with a project of their own design.
• Students benefit from a low student-to-staff ratio (4:1).

Staff

• Our experienced educators lead camps. Our education staff is supported by high school and college-aged counselors who have a passion for STEM and experience working with children.

Discounts & Scholarships

• Household and Supporting members of The Bakken Museum receive a 10% discount on all youth programs.
• All members of The Bakken Museum receive early access to the museum's summer camps. Members at the household, senior household, and supporting levels also receive a 10% discount on registration to all camps and classes throughout the year.
• The Bakken offers income-based scholarships to help provide access to its youth programs.
• Scholarships to The Bakken Museum's summer camps are funded by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education Summer Academic Enrichment Program and donations from generous supporters. Two levels of scholarship are available based on income, and space is reserved in each summer camp session for scholarship applicants.