If you're searching for a STEM course for kids in Spokane, a weekend enrichment activity, or a homeschool STEM class that goes beyond worksheets and screen time, ZapLab Academy's Brain Builders: The Art of Problem Solving is a 4-week hands-on course designed to help kids ages 6–14 think critically, build confidently, and discover the joy of figuring things out for themselves.
Located inside NorthTown Mall in Spokane, WA, this course meets once a week for four weeks. Each one-hour session gives kids real tools, real components, and real challenges — no lectures, no packets, no grades. Just learning by doing.
Why We Built a Problem-Solving Course for Kids
Too often, traditional education focuses on memorizing the right answer instead of teaching kids how to think. When a child faces a problem they've never seen before — a broken toy, a tricky puzzle, a circuit that won't light up — do they give up, or do they try again from a different angle?
That's the skill we're building. Brain Builders: The Art of Problem Solving gives kids a safe, encouraging space to ask questions, try new ideas, make mistakes, and discover what works. Through hands-on STEM projects and engineering challenges, your child will practice focus, patience, critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance — the skills that matter long after the class ends.
They'll leave with more than just something they built. They'll gain confidence, independence, and the satisfaction of saying, "I figured that out myself!"
What Is Brain Builders: The Art of Problem Solving?
Brain Builders is a 4-week STEM course for kids at ZapLab Academy in Spokane. Every session is built around hands-on puzzles, brain teasers, and problem-solving challenges that strengthen creative thinking, concentration, and mental stamina. By the end of the four weeks, every child has built a working Zap Light and taken home a custom puzzle they helped design.
Ages: 6–14 · Class size: Maximum 10 students · Price: $99 for all 4 weeks (includes all materials and take-home projects) · Location: ZapLab at NorthTown Mall, Spokane, WA
Choose the cohort that fits your family's schedule:
Sundays 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: November 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th · Mondays 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: November 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th
About the Course: What Kids Will Be Doing
Course Summary: Four engaging, 60-minute sessions where children tackle hands-on puzzles, brain teasers, and problem-solving challenges designed to strengthen creative thinking, concentration, and mental stamina.
Through independent exploration and discovery, students learn to approach unfamiliar problems with curiosity and confidence.
100% Screen-Free Learning: No phones or tablets during class. Just focused minds, hands-on challenges, and the satisfaction of figuring things out for themselves.
What kids take home: a working Zap Light they built themselves, and a custom 3D-printed puzzle they helped design.
What Does a Typical Class at Zap Lab Academy Look Like?
We'll start with a quick five-minute game of I Spy to get everyone warmed up and paying attention to the little details.
Next, each student will receive a working Zap Light along with all the parts needed to build their own. Instead of following step-by-step instructions, they'll use the finished Zap Light as a guide and figure out how to put theirs together. They'll have the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and try different approaches.
Toward the end of class, students will pair up to share what they've figured out and help each other. We'll also come together as a group to discuss five things we've noticed or learned along the way.
And of course, we'll finish with a fun, yummy treat!
The goal: Help kids learn to slow down, pay attention, stick with difficult problems, and become more confident in their ability to problem solve for themselves. Our hope is that parents will begin to notice their children becoming more patient, focused, and willing to tackle challenges on their own.
Rather than giving up or immediately asking for help when something gets difficult, we want kids to develop the confidence to stop, think, try something different, and discover just how much they're capable of figuring out for themselves.
Is This a Good Homeschool STEM Class in Spokane?
Yes! The Art of Problem Solving explores science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and critical thinking through real-world, hands-on challenges. Families can document the four instructional hours and completed projects as part of their homeschool records, including STEM and occupational education activities. Course completion certificates are available for student portfolios, and homeschool parents determine how the coursework fits into their educational plans.
And while homeschool families love the Monday cohort, the Sunday option is open to everyone — kids in traditional school, homeschoolers, and any family looking for a hands-on weekend STEM activity in Spokane. You don't need to be a homeschool family to join.
What If My Child Has Never Done Electronics or Engineering?
No problem! No previous experience with electronics, engineering, or puzzle-solving is necessary. We provide all the tools, materials, and supplies. Kids just need to bring curiosity and a willingness to try new things. Younger children can build alongside a parent or grandparent, and our instructors guide every student at their own pace.
Parents are always welcome to stay, learn, and build alongside their child — or grab a coffee and shop at NorthTown Mall while class is in session. We just ask that parents remain on mall premises and are available if needed.
Why Choose ZapLab Academy for Your Child's STEM Education?
ZapLab is a hands-on STEM experience located inside NorthTown Mall in Spokane, WA. We believe kids learn best when they're actively building, testing, and problem-solving — not passively watching. Our small class sizes (max 10 students) mean every child gets individual attention and hands-on guidance.
At $99 for all four weeks — including materials and take-home projects — Brain Builders is one of the most affordable STEM programs for kids in Spokane. Your child walks away with a working Zap Light, a custom-designed puzzle, a completion certificate, and real problem-solving skills they'll use for life.
“I figured that out myself!”
How to Register for Brain Builders in Spokane
Classes are limited to just 10 students per cohort, and spots fill quickly. The Sunday cohort is open to all families, while the Monday cohort is popular with homeschool families. To register your child, visit our ZapLab Academy page to complete the registration form and secure your child's place.
Have questions before you register? Check out the full FAQ on our ZapLab Academy page — we cover ages, what to bring, what kids take home, missed-class policies, and more.
Build it. Power it. Take it home. ⚡