Skill Lab: Trade Series is a hands-on summer workshop series for rising 9th-12th grade students who want to build real-world fabrication skills in a creative, structured environment.
Each three-day session focuses on a different material or craft, from woodworking and metalworking to electronics and leather. Students gain practical experience with professional tools while creating a project they can take pride in.
More than a typical camp, Skill Lab helps students build confidence, think through the full making process, and develop hands-on skills that last far beyond the summer. The Trade Series is just the beginning—future Skill Lab sessions may expand into emerging fields like robotics, AI, and other advanced technologies!
Sessions run Friday and Saturday from 2-6 PM and Sunday from 1-5 PM, providing 12 hours of hands-on instruction across three consecutive days. Small group cohorts ensure students receive meaningful shop time, personalized guidance, and the opportunity to fully engage with the tools and materials.
All materials and supplies are included in the $175 session fee.
June 5-7 or July 10-12
In Lumber Yard, students explore the world of woodworking and learn how raw lumber becomes a finished object. They start with traditional hand tools before progressing to power tools and shop machines used in real fabrication shops.
Along the way, students build skills in precision measuring, tool safety, and working with wood grain while using tools like drills, routers, sanders, and saws.
The session ends with students building a custom wooden bench featuring a laser-engraved signature tag made on the Fab Lab’s Trotec laser cutter.
June 12-14 or July 17-19
Circuit to Servo explores how electricity becomes motion and control in modern devices. Students start with the basics of electronics by building simple circuits with components like resistors, LEDs, and breadboards.
They then move into prototyping with Arduino microcontrollers, learning how sensors, motors, and code work together while practicing soldering and building circuits that control real mechanical systems.
The workshop concludes with a servo-controlled system connected to an app interface, showing how hardware, software, and motion come together in real-world technology.
June 19-21 or July 24-26
Machine Shop introduces students to the tools and techniques used in modern metal fabrication. They begin by learning foundational machinist skills such as measuring, cutting, filing, and threading metal with tap-and-die sets and other precision tools.
Students then work with powered fabrication equipment and digital tools, including the Fab Lab’s xTool MetalFab laser system, part of the same rapid-prototyping workflow used by engineers and product developers.
The session concludes with students fabricating a custom U-bolt assembly, combining multiple machining techniques into a finished mechanical component.
June 26-28 or July 31-Aug 2
Hide to Hip introduces students to leatherworking by blending traditional hand skills with modern fabrication tools.
Students learn to cut patterns, punch holes, set hardware, and burnish edges while exploring different types of leather. They also use digital design and laser engraving in the Fab Lab to add custom markings and patterns.
By the end of the workshop, each student will create a custom leather belt designed, cut, and assembled entirely by hand.
New to the Fab Lab? Visit https://app.donorview.com/1yqro and click “Create Account”. Follow the instructions in the email to verify your account. Once logged in, click the “Get Started” button and follow the prompts to add your information as well as information for your child(ren).
To register, you will log in, click “Enroll in a Program” and select the Skill Lab: Trade Series sessions you wish to sign up for. Repeat for any additional child(ren). You will follow the same process to be added to a waitlist. You will NOT be charged when waitlisted. If you have any questions, call 941-840-4394 or info@suncoastscience.org.
General
Rising 9th-12th grade students are eligible to participate in Skill Lab workshops. This means your student should be entering 9th-12th grade in the 2026-2027 school year.
The registration portal has the most up-to-date information on workshop availability.
Safety
Students will receive suitable PPE and safety gear when using machines or tools and will always be supervised by a certified volunteer or staff member.
Our lab and equipment undergo professional cleaning and sanitization every night using EPA-approved products. Antibacterial hand soap and hand sanitizer are readily available throughout the lab.
Please keep your student's profile in the registration portal updated with the latest medical, allergy, and emergency contact information.
Student Expectations & Dress Code
Students should treat everyone with kindness and respect, always keep their hands to themselves, use courteous and appropriate language, and exhibit a positive attitude while in the lab. Inappropriate or discriminatory behavior or comments made to other students, volunteers, staff, visitors, or members will not be tolerated and are subject to the Skill Lab Three Strike Policy.
Students should wear comfortable, fitted, casual clothing and CLOSED TOE and CLOSED HEEL shoes. Gym or tennis shoes are required. No sandals, Crocs, or flip flops are permitted. Loose clothing and jewelry are not permitted for safety purposes, and long hair must be secured. Hair ties are available at the lab if needed.
Skill Lab Three Strikes Policy
- Reminder: The Fab Lab understands that everyone makes mistakes and has momentary lapses in judgment. Therefore, for the first infraction, the student will be issued a verbal warning, and no further action is necessary.
- Warning: For the second infraction, we will discuss the student’s behavior with a parent/guardian at pick-up. This is the student’s warning.
- Suspension from Program: For the third infraction, the student will not be permitted to return to the Skill Lab program. Participation in other Fab Lab programs may be impacted.
In rare circumstances, we reserve the right to bypass the above policy and immediately dismiss a student if we deem the behavior or actions too severe for them to continue.
Release Forms
Completion of Waiver of Liability, Media Release and Authorization forms are mandatory for your student's participation in Skill Lab workshops. You are required to acknowledge these forms during registration.
Cancellations, Refunds & Waitlist
To receive a full refund, cancellations must be made at least 14 days prior to the first day of the Skill Lab session. Cancellations made less than 14 days from the session qualify for a 50% refund. All cancellations and refunds are subject to a $15 processing fee. Please submit cancellation requests in writing to info@suncoastscience.org or by calling 941-840-4394; voicemail cancellations will not be accepted. No-shows are not eligible for refunds. There are no refunds for missed time due to late drop-off, early pick-up, absence, or removal due to behavioral issues.
You will NOT be charged when adding yourself to a session waitlist. Students on the waitlist will be notified in the order they were added to the waitlist if a spot becomes available. We will notify you as early as possible by phone or email if there is an opportunity to move off the waitlist and include instructions on how to process your payment.
