Description
SEP: Propulsion Hackers
Transform passive screen time into active cognitive mastery! In Propulsion Hackers, students dive into hands-on physics, pneumatics, CAD design, game architecture, and applied robotics to build deep analytical thinking and creative resilience for the 2035 Innovation Economy.
Program Specifications
Lab Format
1-hour weekly in-person lab built on applied problem solving and portfolio creation.
Target Ages
Capital District kids ages 6–14+, grouped by developmental skill tiers (After-School & Homeschool).
Strict 8:1 Ratio
Class sizes capped at 8 students to guarantee personal mentorship from master educators.
Semester Term
12-week semester: 11 guided labs plus 1 dedicated Innovation & Makeup Lab Week.
Select Your Skill Tier
Explore curriculum roadmaps designed for every stage of technical development.
Build a Complete STEAM Ecosystem
Combine core analytical enrichment with specialized robotics, cutting-edge AI mastery, and open studio time.
SEP | STEM Enrichment Program
Ages 6–14+The cornerstone of creative problem solving and analytical thinking. Students integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) to explore fundamental principles, cultivate intellectual curiosity, and learn how to solve hard problems with confidence.
REP | Robotics Enrichment Program
Ages 6–14Hands-on mechanical engineering and applied robotics. Students master physical mechanisms, gear ratios, sensor integration, and autonomous programming as they build functional robotic systems to conquer complex engineering challenges.
AIP | Artificial Intelligence Program
Ages 9–14Empower your child to become an AI creator, not just a consumer. A comprehensive journey from machine learning fundamentals to ethical AI design. Students build and train real AI models using cutting-edge hardware and real-world data sets.
Project Studio | Tech Club
Wednesdays 4:00 PM – 6:15 PM | Ages 8–14Exclusive to enrolled STEAMwhiz students! A flexible 2.25-hour open lab where kids convert lab concepts into passion projects. A high-value, "come and go as you please" space to collaborate, experiment with lab technology, and build original innovations.
The STEAMwhiz Core Framework
We don't just teach tools—we train the "Academic Athlete."
Mental Toughness & "Hard Fun"
Passive consumption (TikTok, video games) breeds cognitive brittleness. We replace cheap dopamine with the deep dopamine of solving hard problems. In our lab, failure isn't a dead end—it's data gathering during a "Locker Room Moment."
Portfolios Over Standardized Tests
The 2035 Innovation Economy doesn't reward rote memorization. Our students build tangible Portfolios of Work—3D CAD files, compiled code bases, and functional hardware prototypes that prove real-world capability.
Led by Master Coaches
Academic Athlete Leadership
Our labs are directed by Co-Founder Allie Pulecio, a master educator with over 20 years of STEM curriculum experience. Curriculum architecture is spearheaded by Co-Founder Dr. Javier F. Pulecio (Dr. J), who holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences and brings years of experience as a physicist and engineer at premier research institutions and Fortune 100 technology companies. Together, they eliminate cognitive brittleness and mentor students toward lifelong analytical mastery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Beyond bolstering core math, spatial reasoning, and reading comprehension, our labs target World Economic Forum top skills: Analytical Thinking and Creative Problem-Solving. We train students to embrace challenge, transition from digital consumers to builders, and develop immunity to cognitive brittleness in an AI-driven world.
No. Our spiral curriculum meets students at their current technical ability across Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced tiers. We scaffold skills logically so students build competence step-by-step through physical, hands-on experimentation.
Traditional classrooms often prioritize standardized testing and theoretical memorization. STEAMwhiz enforces an 8:1 ratio where students engineer real physical prototypes (3D printed hovercrafts, robotic arms, arcade game engines) using modern tools and iterative design processes.
Every 12-week semester includes a designated Innovation Lab Week. Students who missed a lab session utilize this time to complete their projects. Students with full attendance use it as an bonus lab to push their portfolio projects further under instructor guidance.
Full refunds are available for unstarted future semesters provided written notice is submitted at least two weeks prior to the start date. Because materials and strict 8:1 instructor staffing are locked in advance, active in-progress semesters are non-refundable. Read the complete policy here.
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