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• Engineering Fundamentals Course - Tuesdays

  • Start
    Tuesday, October 14, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Tuesday, January 27, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    14 sessions
  • Location
    36 Talcott Street, Hartford CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    9

  Register

  Engineering Fundamentals Course (EFC) – Concept to Creation Lab

  The Engineering Fundamentals Course (EFC) is a free, 60-hour training program for young adults ages 18–29 who want to explore careers in engineering, advanced manufacturing, and product design.

  In this hands-on program, you’ll learn how everyday products are created and gain real technical skills that employers value:

  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Build digital models and prepare them for prototyping.

  • 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing: Set up and run prints, troubleshoot, and post-process your parts.

  • Electronics & Assembly: Learn soldering, circuits, and how to integrate components into working prototypes.

  Beyond technical training, the course helps you prepare for the workforce with resume building, portfolio development, and career readiness workshops. The program concludes with a job fair, connecting you directly with local manufacturers and employers.

  Schedule: Tuesdays, October 14 – January 27, 5:00–9:00 p.m. 
  Location: MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT
  Eligibility: Ages 18–29, Hartford-area residents

  Funded by the M&T Amplify Fund

  
  

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• Engineering Primer Program - Fall 2025 - Wed/Friday Group

  • Start
    Wednesday, October 15, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Friday, December 19, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    20 sessions
  • Location
    36 Talcott Street, Hartford CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    1

  Register

  The ENGINEERING PRIMER PROGRAM is for students currently enrolled in high school. Our team introduces the many aspects of product creation, engineering and manufacturing. Students can design and produce a working prototype while learning how everyday objects get made.

  While diving into the below steps, students will build confidence using the natural steps of product design, and take ownership of parts they produce.

  There is a shortage of hands-on, creative talent and this program can help students better understand the steps to successful careers in Industrial Design, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

  We promise new skills, that open minds and help young adults to think creatively!

  You will participate in three main areas of study in the following disciplines:

  DESIGN IT with CAD:

  A product development overview with sketching, blue-print study and a move into digital modeling. All product design and engineering starts with Computer Aided Design (CAD).

  CREATE IT with 3D PRINTERS:

  This step introduces 3D printing, also known as Additive Manufacturing. Students prep, edit and print parts. When a part is printed it becomes “real” and it can be held and used.

  ELECTRIFY IT:

  Using this hands-on experience, students become familiar with lab equipment by soldering electronic components. This includes studying circuits, wires, lights, and displays.

  USE OUR SHOP:

  All students enrolled become members of MakerspaceCT for a couple months and can use our innovation center during open hours to continue working on their creations!

  SCHEDULE

  Wednesdays and Fridays October 15th through December 19th. Each session is 5:30pm - 8:30pm. 

  This program is open to Connecticut high school students, aged 14-18. The cost-free training is in-person and on-site at MakerspaceCT in Downtown Hartford.

  LOCATION:

  MakerspaceCT

  36 Talcott Street

  Hartford, CT 06119

  This program is generously funded by The Hartford Foundation For Public Giving

  
  

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• MAKEnABLE 2 - Fall 2025

  • Start
    Wednesday, October 15, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wednesday, January 28, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    13 sessions
  • Location
    36 Talcott Street, Hartford CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    7

  Register

  MAKEnABLE 2 – Assistive Technology Design Program

  Wednesdays, 6:00–8:30 PM
  October 15 – 13 Weeks (32 hours total)
  Location: MakerspaceCT Tech Lab, Downtown Hartford

  MAKEnABLE 2 is a cost-free, project-based program where high school students design and build custom assistive technology devices for real community members. Expanding on the original MAKEnABLE, this next-level course connects students directly with users who need unique solutions.

  Through hands-on design, CAD modeling, 3D printing, electronics, and problem-solving, students gain advanced technical and professional skills while making a meaningful impact. Each participant will deliver a functional project that improves quality of life while also building a strong professional portfolio.

  What You’ll Learn

  • Human-Centered Design: Apply design thinking to real challenges for users

  • Advanced CAD & 3D Printing: Create, test, and refine assistive prototypes

  • Collaboration & Communication: Work in teams, present ideas, and integrate feedback

  • Impactful Projects: Deliver devices that make life easier for others

  Program Benefits

  • Gain advanced technical skills in design and fabrication

  • Build real-world experience solving community problems

  • Strengthen leadership, teamwork, and presentation abilities

  • Develop a portfolio that showcases creativity, empathy, and engineering

  Eligibility

  • High school students ages 14–18 in the Hartford region

  • Must have completed either:
    • A MakerspaceCT Engineering Primer Program, MAKEnABLE or
    • At least two semesters of CAD coursework

  Snacks, materials, and take-home projects included.

  
  

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• Engineering Fundamentals Course - Thursdays

  • Start
    Thursday, October 16, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Thursday, January 29, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    13 sessions
  • Location
    36 Talcott Street, Hartford CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    9

  Register

  Engineering Fundamentals Course (EFC) – Concept to Creation Lab

  The Engineering Fundamentals Course (EFC) is a free, 60-hour training program for young adults ages 18–29 who want to explore careers in engineering, advanced manufacturing, and product design.

  In this hands-on program, you’ll learn how everyday products are created and gain real technical skills that employers value:

  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Build digital models and prepare them for prototyping.

  • 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing: Set up and run prints, troubleshoot, and post-process your parts.

  • Electronics & Assembly: Learn soldering, circuits, and how to integrate components into working prototypes.

  Beyond technical training, the course helps you prepare for the workforce with resume building, portfolio development, and career readiness workshops. The program concludes with a job fair, connecting you directly with local manufacturers and employers.

  Schedule: Thursdays, October 16 – January 29, 5:00–9:00 p.m. (60 total hours)
  Location: MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT
  Eligibility: Ages 18–29, Hartford-area residents

  Funded by the M&T Amplify Fund

  
  

  Show details
• Engineering Primer Program PLUS - Spring 2025 - Saturday Group

  • Start
    Saturday, October 18, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Saturday, January 10, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    11 sessions
  • Location
    36 Talcott Street, Hartford CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  ENGINEERING PRIMER PLUS PROGRAM

  The Engineering Primer Plus Program is designed for students currently enrolled in high school who are ready to take their skills to the next level. Our team introduces the many aspects of product creation, engineering, and manufacturing—while expanding into advanced concepts that prepare students for the future of Industry 4.0. Students will design and produce working prototypes, gain exposure to in-depth CAD and automation tools, and participate in site visits to local manufacturers throughout the fall.

  While diving into each step, students build confidence using the natural flow of product design, and take ownership of the parts they produce. The program helps young people understand how everyday objects are made, and how creative ideas can be transformed into real products.

  With the growing shortage of hands-on, creative talent, this program prepares students for careers in Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Advanced Manufacturing.

  We promise new skills that open minds, broaden opportunities, and help young adults think creatively about their futures.

  ELIGIBILITY

  Students must have either:

  • Successfully completed a previous Engineering Primer Program at MakerspaceCT, OR

  • At least two semesters of CAD coursework on their transcript.

  AREAS OF STUDY

  DESIGN IT with CAD (Advanced)

  • A product development overview starting with sketching and blueprint study, moving into advanced digital modeling.

  • Students will gain deeper experience in CAD, learning parametric design, assemblies, and design-for-manufacturing workflows.

  CREATE IT with 3D PRINTERS

  • Explore additive manufacturing in detail, including preparation, editing, and printing of parts.

  • Students will learn strategies for precision, part orientation, and post-processing techniques.

  AUTOMATE IT: Industry 4.0 Systems

  • Introduction to automating manufacturing systems to align with Industry 4.0 standards.

  • Students will work with sensors, robotics, and control systems to understand how automation drives modern production.

  ELECTRIFY IT

  • Hands-on lab experience soldering and assembling electronic components.

  • Explore circuits, wiring, displays, and integration of electronics into functional prototypes.

  SITE VISITS

  Throughout the fall, students will take part in several site visits to manufacturers. These visits connect classroom learning to real-world applications, allowing students to see firsthand how CAD, automation, and fabrication are applied in industry.

  SCHEDULE

  Saturday Group meets October 18th through January 10th.
  Each session runs 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

  This program is open to Connecticut high school students, ages 14–18.
  The training is cost-free, in-person, and on-site at MakerspaceCT in Downtown Hartford.

  LOCATION

  MakerspaceCT
  36 Talcott Street
  Hartford, CT 06119

  FUNDING

  This program is generously funded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

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