Sparkly slime and twinkly wearables seem like cool girls’ DIY projects .

But, as Curious Jane founder Samantha Razook Murphy is proving, they’re also a whole  lot more.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Curious Jane, which Samantha founded in 2008, is a programming and content provider for girls, ages six through eleven.  And through summer camps, after-school workshops and birthday parties, Samantha and her staff are using science, engineering and design to teach girls to become confident makers.

 

Samantha, who is a Brooklyn-based graphic and industrial artist, is also a mom.   Ten years ago, while planning projects that would challenge her daughters’ creative talents, she came up with the concept of her STEAM-oriented day camp.

With its programs, Curious Jane gives girls a community in which to explore, ask questions and invent.   Along the way, the young participants develop their skills in engineering and problem-solving.  And often, they think they’re just “making something awesome”.

Since its creation ten years ago, Curious Jane has expanded dramatically.   Their website now includes how-to videos and their “Project of the Week”.  Three years ago, Samantha also began publishing Curious Jane magazine.   The magazine projects also resulted in a book, filled with hands-on projects for girls who love to make things.  And this summer, in addition to the regular New York-based events, some California workshops will be happening.

Best of all, if you happen to be in San Francisco on Thursday evening, May 17th, you can see one of those workshops, first-hand.  Curious Jane will be co-hosting a “Family Maker Block Party” this Thursday, May 17th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.,  as part of “Week of Learning”.   And “Week of Learning”, in turn, leads up to the flagship Maker Faire Bay Area, opening Friday afternoon in San Mateo.

Samantha talked about her experiences creating Curious Jane, her upcoming San Francisco workshop and some of her favorite hands-on maker projects that give young participants the opportunity to become curious and inspired designers and engineers.

In this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

• How Samantha first came to incorporate science into her art;

• The story of Curious Jane’s start, as a summer day camp;

• What Samantha discovered worked best, in teaching the girls maker skills;

• One common stress, among young girls in a maker situation, which the program removes;

• Some of the ways Samantha will be expanding the maker curriculum this summer;

• How Curious Jane magazine evolved;

• Some of Samantha’s favorite projects which have appeared in the magazine;

• A preview of the workshop which will be offered during the “Maker Family Block Party” on Thursday evening;

• (And, a preview of the “Maker Family Block Party”!)

• Some of the biggest “crowd-pleaser” projects from the workshops;

• Hiring information for summer, 2019, for camp staff;

• Some favorite maker resources parents or teachers might like, as summer approaches;

• Samantha’s plans for future expansion (and how to reach out to her, if you’re in another city!)

• How Samantha has seen her own daughters grow and explore, as makers, since the program started.