Think Make Create (TMC) Labs
WHAT IS TMC LABS?
Think Make Create (TMC) Labs is a collaborative partnership of educational programs, agencies and private sponsors who support:
- 28 mobile makerspace STEM trailers
- TMC Labs activity guide
- Regular professional development around Idaho
- TMC Works program
The concept was developed by Nebraska Beyond School Bells and is licensed for use in Idaho by the Idaho Out-of-School Network and the University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth Development Program. As of January 2025, more than 70,000 Idaho youth have used a TMC Lab.
GOALS OF TMC LABS:
- Bring hands-on STEM learning and skills to rural and underserved youth.
- Train educators to provide hands-on STEM learning to youth.
- Increase communities’ support of STEM learning and support Idaho’s workforce development.
FIND A TMC LAB:
TMC Labs can be used by classroom teachers and informal educators at little or no cost, where available. Find your local TMC Labs HERE.
TMC Works
PARTNERS FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Youth Teaching Youth: This project trains STEM Ambassadors and STEM Supervisors to plan, prepare and lead hands-on, inquiry-based activities with young children in out-of-school time programs. Program participants develop workplace and STEM skills through mentorship relationships between experienced STEM Supervisors and inexperienced STEM Ambassadors, and between STEM Ambassadors and the youth they teach.
This project is funded through an Idaho Workforce Development Council Innovation Grant. It is led by the Idaho Out-of-School Network as an extension of the TMC Labs project.
TMC WORKS PROJECT DETAILS
GOAL:
TMC Works aims to support STEM learning at out-of-school time (OST) programs, empower OST professionals to enhance their own STEM and workplace skills, and increase STEM literacy in Idaho’s workforce. To achieve these goals, STEM Ambassadors and Supervisors undergo 20 hours of training and dedicate 80 hours to facilitating STEM programs with youth.
BENEFITS FOR STEM AMBASSADORS AND SUPERVISORS:
- $750 stipend
- 20 hours of training in STEM education and TMC Labs resources
- Experience developing and leading STEM programs
- Exposure to STEM career pathways
- Selected participants attend and showcase their learning at ION’s annual conference
- Develop in-demand job skills such as:
- Problem solving
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Communication
- Science and engineering Practices
BENEFITS FOR WORKSITES:
- $1,050 per Ambassador and Supervisor for administrative costs
- Up to $400 per STEM Ambassador for program supplies.
- Better qualified employees and instructors
- Improved STEM programming
CURRENT PARTICIPANTS:
TMC Works participants who are currently enrolled in the program can access program information and resources by clicking on the blue button below.
GET INVOLVED IN TMC WORKS
APPLY TO PARTICIPATE:
The Idaho Out-of-School Network is actively recruiting additional youth programs to serve as TMC Work sites. To express interest, contact Amy Post, ION's TMC Labs Project Coordinator at apost@jannus.org or (208) 789-6325.
CURRENT TMC WORKS SITES:
Individuals interested in participating in TMC Works should contact Amy Post at ION to connect with existing host sites:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lewis & Clark Valley
- Nampa School District
- Treasure Valley Family YMCA
- University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at Nimiipuu Reservation
- Community Youth in Action
- Lakeside Elementary in the Plummer-Worley Joint School District
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Magic Valley
STEM INDUSTRY
STEM-oriented businesses are encouraged to fill out THIS FORM or contact TMC Works sites directly to explore ways of connecting with STEM Ambassadors. We encourage STEM Ambassadors to visit STEM industry workplaces and meet STEM professionals to explore their own future career options.
Download a 2-page PDF description of the program HERE.
