Custom STEM Classes for Homeschool Pods, Private Groups, and Clubs | CHIPS Blog
How to organize a custom CHIPS STEM class for a homeschool pod, private group, library, club, mixed schedule, or new Bay Area community.
A scheduled public class does not fit every family. A homeschool group may need a weekday morning, friends may want to learn together, or a library may need a short series rather than a full term.
CHIPS Special Classes starts with the group's ages, size, schedule, location, and learning goal. The curriculum can then draw from circuits, Arduino, robotics, AI, IoT, or a focused take-home build.
Formats: Weekly, biweekly, one-day, or school-break blocks
Groups: Private pods, homeschool groups, clubs, libraries, and pilot cohorts
Levels: Young builders through adults
Location: Your site or a CHIPS location when available
When a custom group makes sense
Three to eight children want to learn together
A homeschool or microschool needs a morning STEM block
The public class day conflicts with school or sports
A scout troop, library, or club wants a defined project series
A community wants to test demand before a new public location opens
Adults want a private hardware or ESP32 cohort
What CHIPS needs to design the class
The most useful request includes the age or grade range, approximate number of learners, city, preferred schedule, and whether the group wants a weekly progression or one completed project.
It also helps to describe prior experience and interests. A group fascinated by robots may need a different starting point than a group that wants a careful electronics foundation.
How curriculum is adapted without losing rigor
Customization should change pacing, examples, project scope, and schedule, not remove the engineering process. Students still build, test, find faults, and explain their decisions.
Mixed-age groups may share one project theme while receiving different responsibilities. Younger students can focus on safe assembly and cause and effect; older students can handle programming, measurement, or system integration.
Location and equipment
CHIPS can travel to an appropriate home, school, library, community room, or club location. A CHIPS site may be available for some schedules. The final proposal identifies tables, power, internet, supervision, kits, and instructor needs.
One-day workshops often include a kit for each participant to take home. Longer programs may use a shared project inventory across sessions, depending on the curriculum.
From request to proposal
The Special Classes form collects enough information for an initial review. CHIPS can then confirm fit, ask follow-up questions, and propose a format, staffing plan, curriculum direction, and price.
Submitting a request is not a commitment to purchase. It is the fastest way to determine whether the group, schedule, and location are workable.
How many students are needed for a private STEM pod?
Private pods commonly work with three to eight learners. CHIPS can review smaller or larger requests when the format and staffing make sense.
Can CHIPS teach during homeschool hours?
Yes. Weekday morning and early-afternoon blocks are among the formats families and microschools can request.
Can we request a class outside the current CHIPS cities?
Yes. New-city pilot groups can submit a request. Feasibility depends on location, group size, schedule, travel, and instructor availability.