We are finding new ways to inspire, educate, and connect with the Girls Garage community. We’re meeting the challenge with new virtual resources to continue to deliver learning experiences that are engaging, hands-on, personal, and that help girls feel a sense of productivity and agency in the world through the act of building.

Take-home Builder Kits

We’re assembling kits for curbside pickup with all that girls need to complete a small building project!

Now available: your own toolbox! All the tools, lumber, and hardware you need to build multiple projects. Girls can complete our design/build challenges or create the project of their dreams. Later, these toolboxes will make the perfect companion for projects in the Girls Garage book.

The first two projects, a mini-toolbox and a birdhouse, make great activities for young and first-time builders. Each kit includes pre-cut pieces, instructions, wood glue, hardware, and sandpaper. You supply a hammer or screwdriver and a fearless builder girl. Purchase the $15 kit in advance (limit two per family, pick-up at Girls Garage only) and arrive at your scheduled time for contactless pick-up.

Order for May 3 pick-up >>

Watch video walkthrough for mini-toolbox assembly >>

Watch video walkthrough for birdhouse assembly >>

 

 

 

Online Spring Classes

Until schools re-open, we will run Girls Garage after-school classes in a live online format. While we know there is no substitute for gathering and building together in the Girls Garage workshop, we feel confident that face-to-face, weekly time together will be positive for everyone.

• Advanced Design/Build: Live Online Edition with Hallie, Allison, and Emily
  Mondays, 4:30-5:30, starting April 13
  The sessions combine creative exercises, zine-making, career/college discussions, and project planning!
• Wood + Metal: Live Online Edition with Augusta and Emily
  Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30, starting April 14
  Girls will complete small creative exercises and focused hands-on work on a project that will be completed over the six-week period.
• Protest + Print: Live Online Edition with Hye, Amanda, and Emily
  Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30, starting April 15
  The group will explore a new artist and style each week, which will inform a related project and discussion.

 

Tool School Video Series

We’ve put together an ongoing online video series as a fun, informative, at-home mini-version of a Girls Garage class. In season one, Emily will tell you about wood, design, cutting, tools, hardware, and finishing as you build a wooden box together.

Watch the entire run on IGTV >> 

Tool School Season One: Wooden Box

• Episode 1: Lumber
  Find out about the dimensions of lumber, how it comes out of the tree and gets processed, and factors for choosing the correct wood for your project.⁣
• Episode 2:Drawings + Cut Lists
  By making a plan, section, and elevation drawing and a cut list (like a recipe, but for building!), you’ll have all the visual information you need to make precise cuts and put your project together.
• Episode 3: Measure + Mark
  Learn how to use a tape measure, a special builder’s mark called a “caret”, and a speed square (which is actually shaped like a triangle??!) to measure and mark your wood.
• Episode 4: Chop Saw
  Watch Emily demonstrate the proper, safe technique for using a chop saw (for adults only!), and explain what “kerf” means.
• Episode 5: Coping Saw
  Coping saws are traditionally used for “coping joints,” making curved profiles in crown molding so that corners fit together perfectly, but they are also a fantastic hand saw for small projects.
• Episode 6: Jigsaw
  Grab a fresh pack of T-shank blades and charge your batteries! In this episode, Emily shows the parts and features of a jigsaw and how to use it to cut out irregular shapes.
• Episode 7: Sanding, Nails, and Screws
  Find out the fascinating history of nail sizing (does a 16-penny nail cost 16 cents?!), along with how to choose screws, and how to sand with the right grit.
• Episode 8: Drill + Impact Driver
  Use a drill and its “sister tool,” the impact driver, to make a pilot hole, and then install a screw. Find out why a drill is more likely to strip your screw head and how to insert and remove bits.
• Episode 9: Voila! And A Pop Quiz!
  A few hinges, a hasp and lock, and ta-da!! Our box project is done! Take a 6-question pop quiz to test your knowledge of what we’ve learned together in our first season of Tool School.

Our work continues, and our commitment to fearless builder girls is stronger than ever.

As the situation develops, we’ll keep you updated about programs that are directly impacted by COVID-19 precautions and mandates, which we are monitoring closely. Stay connected, take care of each other, and be safe!