Date/Time: June 1 - June 5, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: This course is for rising 6th -12th grade youth

3D Modeling & Design Camp 
Explore Tinkercad • Fusion • Blender

In this fast-paced, hands-on camp, students will dive into the world of 3D design by learning three powerful tools in three days—each with its own style, purpose, and creative possibilities.

Tinkercad — Intro to 3D Design Students start with the basics using Tinkercad, an easy-to-learn platform perfect for building confidence. They’ll learn to create simple models, understand 3D geometry, and prepare designs for 3D printing.

Fusion — Engineering & Precision Next, students step into the world of professional CAD modeling. Using Fusion, they’ll learn how engineers design functional parts, explore constraints and assemblies, and create more refined, technical models.

Blender — Animation & Creative Expression On the final day, students jump into Blender, a powerful tool used in film, animation, and game design. They’ll learn the fundamentals of sculpting, textures, lighting, and simple animation to bring their creations to life.

By the end of the camp, participants will understand the strengths of each platform and come away with a set of projects that showcase their creativity, technical skills, and imagination.

Instructor Bio: Lyssa Troemel is a multi-disciplinary artist, puppeteer, and metal worker currently based out of Winston-Salem, NC. She holds an MFA in Animatronics from UNCSA and was a participant in the international Next Gen Showcase program. Prior to moving to Winston-Salem, she ran the Maker Lab at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN, served on the board of Puppeteers of America and was also a Resident Artist at Three Rivers Music Theatre where she designed and built many props. She was also the puppet designer and builder for the award-winning shadow puppet music video for the band Silbo Gomero for their song “Whale Fall”. Currently, she is an instructor and artist in many disciplines at Mixxer Community Makerspace.

Date/Time: June 15-19, 2026, 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: Rising 7th through 12th grade youth

Ready to dive into the exciting world of game development?

Join experienced instructor Stephan Duga for a week of hands-on learning with Unreal Engine, one of the most powerful game creation platforms. This beginner-friendly course introduces you to the fundamentals of game design. You'll learn how to navigate the Unreal Engine interface, create basic 3D environments, design simple characters, and implement core gameplay mechanics. No prior experience is necessary – just bring your creativity and a passion for games! Get ready to start building your own game worlds!

Instructor:

Stephan Duga is an educator who's been on a Latin-teaching journey for most of his career. A few years ago, he took a detour into Creative Media and Game Design, something he's been tinkering with since he was a kid. He's passionate about understanding how we learn and using the way we learn to play to enhance education. He firmly believes that game design should be open to everyone, and the more diverse minds we have shaping games, the cooler they become.

Date/Time: July 6-10, 2026, 9:00AM to 12:00

Age Range: Rising 9th through 12th grade youth

Unreal Engine Game Design: From Beginner to Game Creator

Level up your game design skills with this two-week intensive course led by expert instructor Stephan Duga! This program caters to both beginners and those with some prior experience.

Week 1 (Beginner): Start with the basics, learning the Unreal Engine interface, creating 3D environments, designing characters, and implementing fundamental gameplay mechanics. No prior experience is needed!

Week 2 (Advanced): Build upon your new skills and delve deeper into advanced game development concepts. Explore topics like level design, scripting with Blueprints (Unreal Engine's visual scripting system), creating and importing assets, and more complex gameplay mechanics. This week will challenge you to take your game design to the next level and create more polished and engaging experiences. Some familiarity with Unreal Engine or other game development tools is recommended, but not required. Students who complete the beginner week are well-prepared for the advanced content.


INSTRUCTOR:
Stephan Duga is an educator who's been on a Latin-teaching journey for most of his career. A few years ago, he took a detour into Creative Media and Game Design, something he's been tinkering with since he was a kid. He's passionate about understanding how we learn and using the way we learn to play to enhance education. He firmly believes that game design should be open to everyone, and the more diverse minds we have shaping games, the cooler they become.