Dan & Cassidy Towriss IDEA Space KC

STEAM LEARNING FOR ALL

IDEA Space offers after school STEAM classes, summer camps and special programs for students in preschool through grade 12 throughout the Kansas City metro area.
As a community resource, we also welcome educational partnerships focused on creating consistent and ongoing STEAM experiences for every learner.

Summer STEAM Camps

IDEA Space hosts Summer at Barstow STEAM camps for preschool-grade 8 all summer long. If your student wants to develop science, technology, engineering, arts and math skills through exciting hands-on activities, this is the place to be!

STEAM camps are run by Summer at Barstow, a Kansas City Favorite that offers hundreds of adventures for every age, interest, schedule and budget. Experiences offered at IDEA Space include 3D Printing, Comic Book Creators, PC Gaming, Modern Quilting, Drone Building, Virtual Reality and more.

After School Classes

Looking for after-school activities that are enriching, active and fun for your child? IDEA Space students acquire future-proof skills and get comfortable with the technologies and tools that are shaping our future. After-school classes are offered at convenient times, Monday-Thursday. 

James Battmer, parent

"The technology and classes available at IDEA Space really knocked our socks off!"

New This Fall

Tuesday

List of 7 items.

  • Club SciKids: Junior Meteorologist

    Step into the world of weather with Little Meteorologist! Students will explore what makes our weather tick, from sunny skies to swirling storms PLUS build weather stations, track rainfall, experiment with the water cycle and even create snow indoors! With hands-on projects like terrariums, tornado models, and Greenhouse Effect experiments, students will gain a deeper understanding of the science behind the forecast. 

    Preschool-Prekindergarten
    Tuesdays, Oct. 22-Dec. 9
    3:45-4:15 p.m.
    $120

  • Club SciKidz: Little Maker

    Get ready to tinker, build and explore in this hands-on STEAM adventure for young creators! Inspired by storybook favorites like "Rosie Revere, Engineer" and "Iggy Peck, Architect," students will dive into exciting projects while exploring science, engineering and art. From colorful chemistry experiments to creating ocean slime, your Little Makers will bring big ideas to life through fun, messy and imaginative learning.

    Preschool-Prekindergarten
    Tuesdays, Aug. 26 - Oct. 7
    3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
    $120

  • Digital design Studio

    Welcome to the world of 3D design, where big ideas come to life, one click at a time! In this exciting course, young creators will explore TinkerCAD, a kid-friendly digital tool that lets them build amazing things like race cars, magnets and more, all in 3D! Students will learn the basics of design and engineering while developing confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills along the way.

    Kindergarten-Grade 3
    Tuesdays, Oct. 22-Dec. 9
    4:30-5:30 p.m.
    $200

  • Dino Discovery & Design

    What did dinosaurs really look like? Become a paleo-artist (part scientist, part sculptor!) and learn how fossils give us clues about how these creatures lived, looked and moved. Use your imagination and clay to bring long-extinct creatures back to life, and create a collection of fossil-inspired creations to take home!

    Kindergarten-Grade 3
    Tuesdays, Aug. 26-Oct. 7
    4:30-5:30 p.m.
    $200

  • Make Your Own Plushies

    Ready to bring your imagination to life, one stitch at a time? In this playful, hands-on class, you’ll learn the basics of sewing and design while creating your very own custom plushies. Students will use computer-aided tools to design patterns and cut fabric, then head to the sewing machine to stitch it all together and add a whole lot of fluff. 

    Grades 4-8
    Tuesdays, Oct. 22-Dec. 9
    Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m. 
    $250

  • Sew Electric

    Get ready to make, wear and wow! In this fun-filled class, young creators will dive into a world of hands-on projects. From sewing colorful bracelets and decorating their own tote bags to exploring the magic of lights and simple circuits. Students will learn basic sewing skills, design one-of-a-kind accessories and even add a little sparkle with safe, beginner-friendly circuitry. 

    Grades 4-8
    Tuesdays, Aug. 26-Oct. 7
    4:30-5:45 p.m.
    $250

  • The Knight School Chess Class

    The Knight School teaches students of all skill levels and ages to play chess. Beginners welcome! This course features fast clocks, colorful wristbands, zany movies, tournaments, tactics and a fun spirit that kids love. This semester-long class includes a chess set with first enrollment. Already taken this class? Repeat it to build your skills.

    Grades 1-6
    Session I: Tuesdays, Aug. 26-Oct. 7
    Session II: Tuesdays, Oct. 22-Dec. 9
    4:30-5:45 p.m.
    $595

Thursdays

List of 6 items.

  • LEGO Movie Maker

    Lights, camera… LEGO! Build your own blockbuster from the ground up! In this creative  camp, you'll dream up an original story, then bring it to life using LEGO bricks, mini-figures and your wild imagination. Craft tiny sets, build cool props and design awesome characters. Then snap each scene one photo at a time to make your very own stop-motion movie. Add voice overs, sound effects and music, and by the end of the class, you’ll have a finished film ready to premiere on the big screen!

    Grades 4-8
    4:30-5:45 p.m.
    Thursdays, Aug. 28-Oct. 9
    $200

  • Mad Science: Cosmic Curiosities

    Blast off into a course of hands-on science fun where curiosity leads the way! In Cosmic Curiosities, students will explore a variety of exciting topics—from how animals grow and communicate, to the science of sound, weather and chemistry. They'll experiment with mad mixtures, learn about shapes and structures in the world around them and journey through the solar system as junior astronauts. Each week brings a new adventure full of discovery, creativity and wonder—perfect for curious minds ready to explore the cosmos around them!

    Preschool-Prekindergarten
    3:45-4:15 p.m.
    Thursdays, Oct. 23-Dec. 4 
    $100

  • Mad Science: Whimiscal Wonders

    In Whimsical Wonders, students will explore air, water, color, sight and more through hands-on experiments and fun investigations. Whether they’re discovering how things float and sink, exploring the Color Lab, peering through microscopes or learning to measure like a scientist, every day is packed with excitement. It's the perfect blend of learning and imagination for your young explorer

    Preschool-Prekindergarten
    3:45-4:15 p.m. 
    Thursdays, Aug. 28-Oct. 2
    $100

  • Mincraft Maniacse

    Power up your creativity—it's time to build a world of your own! In this collaborative Minecraft class, students will work together and independently to design and construct an original world from scratch. Whether you're crafting castles, coding Redstone contraptions or building secret hideouts, there’s room for every kind of creator. Along the way, students will sharpen skills in teamwork, planning, design and digital problem-solving. Your world is waiting… Let's build it!

    Grades 2-8
    4:30-5:30 p.m.
    Thursdays, Oct. 23-Dec. 11 
    $200

  • Outside the Box

    Think cardboard is just for boxes? Think again! In this hands-on makerspace adventure, students will cut, shape, build and invent using one of the most versatile materials around, cardboard! From wild sculptures to wearable inventions and life-size games, kids will dream big and engineer even bigger. Along the way, they’ll explore design thinking, problem-solving and creative collaboration as they turn everyday materials into extraordinary creations. 

    Grades 3-5
    4:30-5:45 p.m.
    Thursdays, Oct. 23-Dec. 11 
    $200

  • Rube Goldberg Inventors

    Calling all inventors, artists and engineers! Get ready to tinker, build and giggle as you dive into the wild world of Rube Goldberg, an inventor and cartoonist who turned simple tasks into amazingly over-the-top machines. In this high-energy course, you’ll explore the magic of simple machines through fun, hands-on challenges. Then, use your imagination to dream up and build your very own chain-reaction contraption! By the end of the session, we’ll combine everyone’s creations into one epic, wacky, wonderfully ridiculous mega-machine that actually works! Let’s get building!


    Kindergarten-Grade 3
    4:30-5:30 p.m. 
    Thursdays, Aug. 28-Oct. 9
    $200

Wednesday

List of 6 items.

  • Brick Bunch

    Do you love to build with LEGO? Try your hand at LEGO set design! This high-energy camp takes your building skills to the next level with exciting new challenges each week. Race your own custom vehicles, team up to build a massive space station and test your engineering chops with bridges and towers. Ready to build, create and become a LEGO Master? Let’s get started!

    Kindergarten-Grade 3
    Wednesdays, Aug. 27-Oct. 8
    4:30-5:30 p.m.
    $200

  • Club Sci: Little Engineer

    Step into the toymaker’s lab and explore the fun side of physics! Campers will build exciting creations like sponge ball slingshots, marshmallow shooters, pocket rockets and even a classic rubber band ball, each teaching a unique physical principle. They'll discover the colorful magic behind kaleidoscopes and dive into hands-on electronics with Snap Circuit boards, featuring over 100 experiments, so they can continue the fun at home. 

     Preschool-Prekindergarten
    Wednesdays, Aug. 27-Oct. 8
    3:45-4:15 p.m.
    $120

  • ClubSciKids: Sea Adventure

    Set sail for an unforgettable course in Sea Adventure, a super-sized exploration of ocean wonders and pirate fun! Students will dive deep into oceanography as they investigate marine ecosystems, ocean structures, and the environmental challenges facing our seas. From crafting ocean wave bottles and shark tooth necklaces to map making and knot tying, hands-on projects will spark curiosity and creativity. No sea voyage would be complete without some high-seas pirate escapades in search of glittering gold, hidden gems and buried treasure.

    Preschool-Preindergarten
    3:30-4 p.m.
    Wednesdays, Oct. 23-Dec. 10
    $120

  • Cricut Creator

    Cricuts, while small in size, are full of potential. Sound familiar? If you're a big creator with little hands, this camp is for you! In Cricut Creators, young makers will dive into the world of design and personalization using kid-friendly tools and Cricut magic. With fresh projects each week, this class is bursting with creativity, color and crafty fun!

    Grades 4-8
    4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Wednesdays, Aug. 27-Oct. 8
    $250

  • Doll House Architects

    Calling all future designers and makers, it’s time to build the tiny dream home of your imagination! In this one-of-a-kind class, you’ll assemble your own laser-cut dollhouse and bring it to life with mini laser-cut puzzles that transform into tables, chairs, sofas and more. Add your personal style by designing colorful rugs and curtains using graphic design tools, then cut them out with a smart-cutting machine. You’ll take home your fully furnished, totally fabulous dollhouse masterpiece.

    Grades 4-8
    4:30-5:45 p.m. 
    Wednesdays, Oct. 23-Dec. 10
    $250

  • Robo Rookies

    Ready to level up to RoboRookie? This hands-on class introduces K–3 students to basic engineering and coding concepts using colorful VEX 123 blocks and simple motors. Little builders will create moving machines, solve fun challenges and learn how technology works, while sparking creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. It’s the perfect first step for young inventors ready to explore and create!

    Kindergarten-Grade 3
    4:30-5:30 p.m.
    Wednesdays, Oct. 23-Dec. 10
    $200

Educational Partnerships

List of 2 news stories.

List of 4 items.

  • Dan & Cassidy Towriss IDEA Space KC

    12200 State Line Road
    Leawood, KS 66209
    913-766-IDEA (4332)

     

  • Art Hall

    President and Head of School
    816-277-0304
    Email

  • Cassie Banka '05

  • Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley

    Vice President Advancement
    (816) 277-0433
    Email