**Current classes**
email jregan@unca.edu to enroll.
SkillSet started out as Community Tool School: Shop Class for Girls at UNC Asheville, in 2018.
Our program lives at STEAM Studio, UNC Asheville. It receives funding and support from UNC Asheville, The Community Foundation of West North Carolina and the Windgate Foundation.
Since 2018 we have:
- Developed afterschool programming both in-person at STEAM and online.
- Developed summer camp programming both in-person at STEAM and online.
Our program initially sought to address the perceived disparity in access to STEAM / STEM opportunities for girls. Our 2018-19 programming focussed on Middle School age girls and non-binary / gender non-conforming children, and all instructors were women and non-binary / gender non-confirming people.
Going forward, we are evolving our programming to welcome:
- Students of all gender expressions
- Elementary age learners
- Community members of all ages
- Our instructors will remain women and non binary / gender non conforming people.
In addition to evolving who we serve, the program itself is broadening from focussing on the tools available at STEAM Studio to include sharing skills to develop resilience and community. Our off-site / online programming is expanding our reach dramatically.
We hope you’ll join our program and share your skills and enthusiasm for learning.
Find out more about the SkillSet program at skillset.tools
ONLINE SUMMER CAMPS
This summer we have three exciting summer camps, all happening online. Camp fee includes a materials kit, online video instruction and instructor support. To register, email jregan@unca.edu
Community Tool School
Access, skills training, and STEAM learning
STEAM Studio offers STEAM learning & fabrication classes to the community via the Community Tool School program.
The classes currently available are the Afterschool Program (for Middle and High School Girls*), and STEAM Summer Camps (for Middle and High School Girls*). These classes are taught by women in an environment that welcomes all gender identities and expressions.
To enroll in upcoming Afterschool classes and Summer Camps, email steamstudio@unca.edu
The CTS program was initiated to serve a perceived need in the community for middle and high school girls* to access spaces and learn skills traditionally predominately available to boys. A staff of talented women including UNCA Art and Mechatronics students serve as instructors in low-student to instructor ratio classes that provide in-depth exploration of design and fabrication skills. Students engage in projects in the woodshop, metal fabrication area, and the laser cutter / computer design areas of STEAM Studio.
STEAM Studio plans to expand the program’s offerings to include Adult classes and mixed-gender classes that retain the original mission of providing access and encouragement to girls.
Community Tool School is made possible with generous support and funding from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and the Windgate Foundation.
*Girls, gender nonconforming, nonbinary students are all welcome. CTS does not discriminate on the basis of gender expression.
Find out more about the program here: communitytoolschool.com