Act I
Make
A short demo, then a long build sprint with real tools. Hands on parts in the first ten minutes.
Build sprintReal tools
Minneapolis nonprofit · since 2015
Every kid gets top billing.
We bring hands-on robotics, coding, 3D printing, sound tech, and drones right into Minneapolis schools and community sites.
$0for students & families
Your school or site: many partner sites pay nothing, because grants and sponsors cover the program. How funding works ↓
Now making
Now making robots, beats, drones, games, and 3D prints, at your school, free.
At your school · free
real createMPLS · 2019 & 2023
How it works
The show comes to you.
“It comes to us!”
We bring the instructors, the kits, and the plan into your school or community site, during the school day, after school, or in summer. Students make something real, test it, change one thing, and show it to the people they care about.
Students and families pay nothing. No bus, no tuition, no gear to buy.
Parent or caregiver? Here's how to bring it to your kid's school.
Act II
Test
Run it. Watch it fail. Change one thing. Run it again. That loop is the lesson.
Try · fix · retryOne change
Act III
Show
Every program ends with a share: a showcase, a demo, a race, a listening party. Kids explain how it works.
The shareKids explain it
- On site, in your space
- School day, after school & summer
- Grades 3–12 now, K–2 in development
Where programs have run
Already on stage at schools like yours.
createMPLS · on tour since 2015
Programs have run at
First host site, 2015Hope Academy
Schools
Minneapolis public
- Green Central Elementary
- Webster Elementary
- Windom Community School
Independent & faith-based
- Ascension Catholic School
- St. Peter Claver
- Journey School
Suburban districts
- Brooklyn Center Secondary
- Hopkins West Junior High
- Oak Grove Middle School
- Valley View Elementary
- Zanewood Community School
Community sites
Youth & community programs
- Urban Ventures
- Banyan Community
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- Best Buy Teen Tech Center at The Capri
- PCYC
- Girl Scouts River Valleys
From the host-site lists published on creatempls.org, 2023–25. Groupings to confirm.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities in technology that our students have because of createMPLS.”
“…what createMPLS provides is a great fit and has helped the students feel successful.”
“I didn't know what to expect with a robotics program for such little kids, but it was amazing.”
Quotes as published on creatempls.org, 2019–25.
Students served
students served since 2019
createMPLS programs, all ages, 2019 to today
What kids make
What kids walk out having made.
Every program ends with something you can hold, play, fly, or hear, and a kid who can tell you exactly how it works.
Posters drawn from each program's real final build. Photos marked "real createMPLS" are from our programs.
Robots & MachinesGr 6–12
real createMPLS, 2019Lifters, claw grippers, and walkers that work
Program: Engineering Challenge Lab
Flight & DronesGr 6–12
A tiny FPV drone you built, then flew
Program: Robotics to FPV
Code & GamesGr 3–5
A boss-level arcade game
Program: Scratch Arcade Adventure
Sound & MusicGr 9–12
A beat built from found sounds
Program: Lo-Fi Beat Laboratory
Civic DesignGr 3–7
A neighborhood invention that lights up
Program: Build Your Block
3D PrintingGr 3–5
A 3D-printed critter that wiggles
Program: From Idea to 3D Print
See the season map
grades 3–12, free for families
Programs
Pick a grade. Pick a subject. We bring the rest.
Every program runs on site, at your school or community space. Choose who you work with, open a slot to see its programs, add the ones you like, and send us the list.
createMPLS · at your school or site
Season map
- one program
- not offered yet
- Tap a slot or a subject to see its programs
Grades K–2? New programs for younger grades are in development. Ask us.
For college students and for adults (workplace lunch labs and workshops). Our main focus is K–12; these are here for partners who ask.
Your list
Bring a program to your school
Get involved
Next show: yours.
Bring a program to your students, ask for one at your kid's school, lend a hand, or help keep the kits stocked.
Schools & community sites
Host a program at your school or site
Tell us your grades, your space, and your timing. We match a program and bring it to you.
- Students & families pay
- $0
- Your school or site
- Many partner sites pay nothing: grants and sponsors cover the program. Where there is a cost, schools often use Title I, 21st CCLC, or PTO funds. How funding works ↓
- We bring
- Instructors, kits, and the lesson plan
- You provide
- A room with tables and outlets, a staff member in the room, and your students
- Lead time
- About one season ahead; tell us your dates
How funding works
- First call: you tell us your grades, dates, and space. We tell you what it costs your site, and for many sites that's $0.
- We look for coverage first: createMPLS grants and local sponsors.
- If there's a gap: the usual sources are Title I, 21st CCLC (after school), or PTO and site budgets. We'll write the program description for your request.
Thanks, you're on our list.
Design mockup: nothing was sent.
Volunteers
Join the crew
No teaching experience needed: engineers, makers, and coders welcome.
Bring patience; we bring the parts.
- Build-day helperOne session, about 2 hours
- Program mentorWeekly, for one program (most run 8–15 weeks)
- Skills volunteerGrants, marketing, IT, or curriculum, on your schedule
Before you work with students: a background check and a short onboarding.
Questions first? info@creatempls.org
Donors
Keep the lights on
Gifts buy the kits, parts, and gear we carry into schools.
- $25a day of programs for one student
- $100a junior robotics kit
- $250an iPad for coding and robotics
- $500an intermediate robotics kit
Parents & caregivers
Want this at your kid's school?
We run where schools and rec centers invite us. A note from a parent is a great way to start.
- Send this page to your principal or rec-center director.
- Or tell us where your kid goes, and we'll reach out.