Our mission:  To inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers and creative problem solvers through hands-on engineering experiences.

Dreams need doing, and exploring engineering gives a child the “power to do.”  The Works is a playground of engineering, science and creativity that is just right for kids in grades K-6.  Every activity is both fun and challenging;  learning by doing is inviting, exciting, and memorable. The Works welcomes you to explore engineering and stretch your imagination in an environment that’s friendly, engaging, encouraging, open-ended, self-paced and truly hands-on. 

We need the imagination and skill of engineers to solve the problems and meet the desires of our modern world.   Engineering and innovation drive our economy, locally, nationally, globally.  Engineering also nurtures a child’s creative problem solving, a valuable skill for every field and for life.   Minnesota now has state standards that require engineering in every grade, starting in Kindergarten.  

Our Vision:  Engineering is cool.

Engineering is cool.  Engineers change the world to satisfy people’s needs and wants.  Engineers solve problems, save lives, make our lives easier, warmer, cooler, healthier, safer, more worldly, more interesting, more effective, more convenient and more fun.  New developments in technology continue to transform our lives, with phenomenal advances in medicine, computing, materials, energy, robotics, communications, entertainment, manufacturing and more.  Engineering is everywhere; more than 90% of our daily environment is the “human-made” or engineered world.

Our vision, “engineering is cool,” emphasizes The Works’ commitment to build public awareness, understanding and delight in engineering. 

Our goal:  To awaken every child’s inner engineer.

Kids love engineering, and every child can engineer at The Works.  Engineering is the creative process of figuring out something you want to or need to have, then exploring, designing, building, trying it out and making it better.   Hands-on engineering is memorable and fun.  It also motivates science and mathematics learning, builds perseverance, precision and confidence, and teaches creativity, communications, teamwork, thinking “outside the box” and other 21st century skills.

At The Works, we warmly welcome, encourage and have high expectations for every child, from every background, every ability and every walk of life.

 

Our values: Here's what you'll find at The Works...

• Active, engaging, hands-on, minds-on learning
• Kids do real engineering
• Respect and high expectations for every child
  
• Self-directed, open-ended challenges
• Relevant, inspiring, non-commercial content
• Welcoming, personal, kid-friendly environment

 

What do you think?  We'd love your feedback on this!  rebecca@theworks.org