The fundamentals of engineering,
from the ground up.
Formerly the Rank Program.
We teach kids to use real tools — soldering irons, 3D printers, saws, and the rest of the shop — to design and build projects they actually take home. As they master each skill, they earn badges and climb from Tinker to Engineer.
Tinker, Maker, and Builder form our engineering floor — teaching the same core skills at three different depths. First and second graders start in Tinker, then climb ranks; in each new rank, they learn similar skills at a more advanced level with new projects. Older kids slot in at the rank that matches their age — skipping the simplest builds, but learning the same fundamental skills.
A closer look at every rank — what students learn, what they build, and where each one leads next.
The most basic level of engineering, for 1st and 2nd graders.
Tinker is the basics — the most simple and fun hands-on projects for our youngest engineers. Kids learn how to handle a real workshop and earn their first Skill and Project Badges across six core units.
The same core skills, taken deeper — for 3rd and 4th graders.
Maker takes the same engineering fundamentals deeper. Kids step up to power tools and microcontrollers, with bigger projects across six units — finishing with a combination project that earns the rank.
The full shop unlocked — for 5th graders and up.
Builder unlocks the rest of the shop. Students learn the laser cutter and the soldering iron, take their electronics deeper, and tackle multi-skill projects across six units that demand real planning and accuracy.
Design, iterate, ship. Engineering as practice.
Innovator turns students from skilled makers into engineers. They design original projects, iterate through prototypes, document their work, and present their builds.
Lead a build. Teach the shop. Own the work.
The final rank. Engineers run their own multi-month builds, mentor newer students, and demonstrate full mastery of the shop. Earning the Engineer rank means a student can walk into any makerspace and get to work.
Mastery you can see. Every Forge student has a physical badge plate in the shop — it's how we make progress visible to the kid, the parent, and the other kids working alongside them.
Each rank is six different units with 16 total badges. Students have the opportunity to earn badges within every unit.
Earn it by completing a group of projects within each unit. Doing real projects is how our students learn.
Each unit, students are given a badge opportunity project to prove mastery of their skill. They’re intentionally hard — earning one means the kid can do it on their own, using our tools safely, with no help.
After students have earned all their badges in a rank, they’re ready to move to the next — regardless of age.
Pick your answers and the right class to start will show up here.
Every class stays under an 8-to-1 student-to-instructor ratio, so each kid gets near one-on-one attention. Open Makerspace is included too — 40 minutes free every week, and students are welcome to stay and keep building longer anytime at our hourly rate.
Each rank is built from six units, each with its own Skill and Project Badges. Open a rank to see everything a kid learns and builds inside it.
Where every Forge student begins. Six units of the most simple and fun hands-on projects — and the workshop habits everything else builds on.
The same six core units, taken deeper. Bigger builds, power tools, and a final combination project to earn the rank.
Six units that unlock the rest of the shop. The laser cutter and the soldering iron come online, electronics goes deeper, and projects span multiple skills.
Innovator turns skilled makers into engineers. Students design original projects, iterate through prototypes, document their work, and present their builds. Specific badges are still being finalized.
Engineers run multi-month builds, mentor newer students, and demonstrate full mastery of the shop. Earning the rank means a student can walk into any makerspace and get to work. Specific badges are still being finalized.
These are the things we build our programs around — and what we require in every class. They're what make an engineering kid, not just a kid who finished a kit.
Kids learn skills by doing real hands-on engineering projects. They learn a first-principles approach to problem solving.
When kids make a mistake, they fix it themselves. When kids make a mess, they clean it up themselves.
Kids attempt something hard before asking for help. They learn to locate the materials and tools they need. They learn life skills like perseverance and grit.
Kids are responsible for keeping their space clean and organized, cleaning up after themselves, and maintaining the workshop.
Kids develop such competence and confidence in their skills that, over time, they become second nature. Kids are empowered to teach others.
Everything you need to know about make-ups, cancellation, and closures.
The fastest way to know if Forge is right for your kid is to walk the workshop. Twenty minutes. No commitment.
