Dan & Cassidy Towriss IDEA Space KC

STEAM Learning for All

IDEA Space offers after-school classes, summer camps and school partnerships for students in kindergarten-grade 12 throughout Kansas City. Join us for hands-on STEAM learning!

Summer STEAM Camps

IDEA Space will host Summer at Barstow STEAM camps for grades 1–12 beginning May 30 through Aug. 12. If your student has an interest in developing science, technology, engineering, arts and math skills through exciting hands-on activities, this is the place to be!

Summer at Barstow is the area's most popular camp program, with hundreds of adventures for every age, interest, schedule and budget.

Our exclusive STEAM experiences include  Challenge Island, 3D Printing Exploration, Comic Book Creators, PC Gaming, Modern Quilting, Drone Building, Virtual Reality — and more to come.

After School Courses

Led by experienced teachers and professionals-in-residence, students get inspired to move, make and create while they master new skills. Our first session of spring after-school classes begins the week of January 24. The second session begins March 28.

Computer Science & Gaming

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  • Chess of the Future

    Foundational chess strategies with a futuristic twist.
    The Knight School teaches students of all skill levels and ages to play chess. During this semester-long course, players will also get to use Bryght Labs ChessUp boards! Cutting-edge smart boards have built-in instructors that players toward their strongest moves. Twelve sessions of comprehensive instruction. 

    Grades 2-5 
    Tuesdays, Jan. 24-May 2
    3:30-4:45 p.m.
    $450

  • Intro to Virtual Reality

    Break through boundaries to explore virtual reality and the worlds you can create using VR applications. Your student will have a blast building computer science and technology skills! They’ll use Unity to design and deploy immersive experiences on the Oculus Quest 2. Students will learn how to use prebuilt assets and scripts to make a VR scene we can interact with and explore. No previous VR experience required.

    Grades 7-12
    Thursdays, Jan. 26-March 2
    4-6 p.m.
    $400

  • Minecraft Masterminds

    Have a blast in the sandbox! 
    New and experienced gamers create build, create and evade the Creepers in this fun and competitive after-school class. Your team will face challenges and earn rewards in both creative and survival mode, leading to a grand finale as you become the ultimate Minecraft Mastermind.

    Grades 1-3
    Mondays, Jan. 23-March 6, 4-5:30 p.m.
    Grades 4-6
    Tuesdays, Jan. 24-March 7, 4-5:30 p.m.
    $275

  • Minecraft Masterminds 2.0

    Level up in a continuation of Minecraft Masterminds.
    No class prerequisite required. Newcomers and return players are welcome as we continue to expand our knowledge and reach new heights in the Minecraft universe.

    Grades 1-3
    Mondays, March 27-May 8, 4-5:30 p.m.
    Grades 4-6
    Tuesdays, March 28-May 9, 5-6 p.m.
    $275

Engineering & Physics

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  • Challenge Island

    Where engineering meets imagination.©
    Challenge Island is the destination for children who want to develop science, technology, engineering and math skills — and add art to tie it all together. Chomp into some fin-tastic challenges on Shark Tooth Island! Test your STEAM savvy at Great White Bridges and Treetop Towers! Team games foster creativity, collaboration, communication and leadership skills. Your young student will develop higher-level thinking that leads to academic success.

    Kindergarten-grade 2
    Tuesdays, Jan. 24-Feb. 28, 4-5 p.m.
    Grades 3-5
    Wednesdays, Jan. 25-March 1, 4-5 p.m.

    $225

     

  • Rocketry 101

    What would it be like to launch a rocket into space?
    In Rocketry 101, we will take you from the chalkboard to the sky, as we learn the physics of flight and build our own rockets. Students will build  a beginner and intermediate rocket, and parents are welcome to come watch the last-class launch launch, where we see how our engineering ideas work in real life.

    Grades 4-8
    Thursdays, Jan. 26-March 2
    5-6:30 p.m.

    $225

Arts in Motion

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  • Rhythm in Motion

    Develop your dance skills and finish with a fun performance. 
    Madison Sha is small group dance instructor who has worked with Diavolo Institute in Los Angeles and Clif Bar Family Foundation/Luna Dance Institution. She has a dance production degree and an early childhood special education degree from Kansas State University. Students will develop foundational dance skills and learn concepts and terminology. The class ends with a choreographed show for families and friends. 

    Grades 4-5
    Tuesdays & Thursdays, Jan. 24-March 9, 3:30-4:15 p.m.
    Grades 1-3
    Tuesdays & Thursdays, Jan. 24-March 9, 4:30-5:15 p.m.
    $400

  • Intro to Improv Comedy

    Think on your feet, collaborate and make a (funny) scene! 
    Learn the basics of improvised comedy to create comical characters and scenes. Students will laugh along with Barstow instructor Bree Pusey, as they learn the importance of listening and working as a team. The class will end with a comedy showcase where students show off their newfound skills and confidence.

    Grades 4-8
    Tuesdays, Jan. 24-Feb. 28, 4-5 p.m.
    $200

Visual Arts

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  • Introduction to Portrait Illustration

    Perspectives of Power, an Introduction to Portrait Illustration, focuses on our psychological inclination to be drawn to imagery featuring the human face. Taught by Avila University art professor Celina Curry, students will create a self portrait, narrative portrait and caricature.

    Beginning with the basic anatomical tenets of drawing the human face and head, the course will evolve into exploring how facial expression, emotion and artistic style can convey conceptual and narrative information through the genre. 

    Grades 7-12
    Thursdays, Jan. 26-March 2, 4-5:30 p.m.
    $225

  • Sketchbook Skills

    Sharpen your skills and overcome "blank page syndrome" by  drawing in your personal sketchbook. Working with Avila University art professor Celina Curry, middle & upper school artists will develop a growth-based mindset, build the confidence to generate original ideas and experience the satisfaction of seeing their progress as they fill the pages. 
     
    This course is suitable for all students who enjoy drawing and would like to improve, especially those with an interest in illustration, animation and comics/graphic novels. Use pencil, charcoal and ink, complemented with mixed media processes (collage, watercolor, etc.). 

    Grades 7-12
    Tuesdays, Jan. 24-Feb. 28, 4-5:30 p.m.
    (With an optional second 6-week session)
    $225

Educational Partnerships

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