The Rank Program
At Forge, students don’t just take classes—they progress through a structured engineering journey that keeps them challenged, motivated, and constantly learning new skills. This is the ultimate, all encompassing, hands-on STEM engineering class for kids. Built around learning technical engineering skills while doing real projects.
Our curriculum is built around 5 ranks, each representing a new level of technical ability.
Rank 1 Tinker | Rank 2 Maker | Rank 3 Builder | Rank 4 Innovator | Rank 5 Engineer
Students spend class time learning new engineering skills and doing projects tied to those skills, earning badges and progressing as they increase in rank.
3D Printing | 3D Modeling | 3D Pen | Measuring - Calipers and Tape Measures | Computer Skills | Craft Skills | Hot Glue Gun | Cardboard | Hand Tool Woodworking | Pliers + Cutters | Screwdrivers, Wrenches, Ratchets | Lego Robotics + Block Coding | Electricity & Circuits | Laser Cutting | Lightburn | Power Drill | Impact Driver | Miter Saw | Scroll Saw | Power Tool Woodworking | Microbit + Block Coding | Soldering | Bandsaw | Drill Press | Router
Our Core Principles
Everything at Forge is built on a set of Core Principles that guide our actions, shape our programs, and keep our mission clear.
Students learn by building and doing
Students learn accountability
Students are taught to be self reliant
Students are clean and organized
Students master skills
How It Works
All students at Forge will begin in Rank 1 Tinker.
Each new student will be given a blank badge plate they will use to store their earned gear badges.
These are proudly displayed in Forge to encourage all to learn and progress.
Students goal is to complete projects, learn new skill and earn gear badges along the way, progressing to new Ranks over time.
There are two types of gear badges, Project Badges and Skill Badges.
While learning a new skill, students will complete a group of projects relevant to a skill, earning their Projects Badge.
After learning a new skill and earning their Projects Badge they will have a chance to earn their Skill Badge by taking and passing a badge test.
Some badges are fully represented by one badge in one rank. Other badges have more than one badge - each in a different rank and each representing mastery of more advanced skills.
Badge tests are hard and require students to demonstrate mastery of that skill with no external help.
To earn their center Rank Level Badge, which connects all other gear badges together, students will do a final project that requires a combination of all their badge skills in that Rank.
Once completed they will advance to the next rank—pushing them to grow as engineers while celebrating their progress.
Ranks Classes: $285/mo
One 90-minute class per week.
Students spend their time learning new engineering skills and doing hands-on projects, each tied to a specific badge. They build real projects that they get to take home while earning badges that mark their growth and accomplishments.30 minutes of Open Makerspace time per week included.
Outside of class, students can return each week to use the space, tools, and materials to practice skills or work on their own creations, with instructor support available. This also gives flexibility to parents for early drop off or late pickup without being charged extra.
Schedule & Signup Below!
Rank 1 - Tinker
Note: Early drop offs or late pickups outside of class time will be billed as Open Makerspace time. 30 minutes of Open Makerspace time is included with class signup and will be automatically deducted from student total.
1st - 3rd Grade
Monday: 3:20PM & 4:50PM
Tuesday: 3:20PM
Wednesday: 3:20PM
Thursday: 4:50PM
Friday: 3:20PM
Sunday: 11:00AM
4th - 8th Grade
Monday: 3:20PM
Tuesday: 4:50PM
Wednesday: 4:50PM
Sunday: 12:30PM
Rank 2 - Maker
Note: Early drop offs or late pickups outside of class time will be billed as Open Makerspace time. 30 minutes of Open Makerspace time is included with class signup and will be automatically deducted from student total.
4th - 8th Grade
Monday: 3:20PM
Thursday: 4:30PM
Friday: 3:20PM
Which Rank Class is right for my student?
New Students @ Forge
Regardless of age, new students should start in Rank 1 Tinker, in the appropriate class that matches their age. Older classes will complete badges and progress quicker and younger classes will require more time.
Makerspace Fundamentals Alums
Students that have already taken Makerspace Fundamentals will begin in Rank 2 - Maker and quickly earn their Rank 1 Badges before progressing to Rank 2 material.
Tinker Time Alums
Students that have previously been in Tinker Time will begin in Rank 1 - Tinker - a comparable class with the added goal of achieving badges.
Advanced Makers New to Forge
With instructor approval, these students may review our Rank Knowledge Guides and complete the Badge Tests during Open Makerspace Time to complete ranks without having to take a class.
Rank 1 Badges
3D Modeling
3D Printing + 3D Pen
Measuring: Caliper//Tape Measure
Computer Skills
3D Print + 3D Modeling + 3D Pen Projects
Craft Skills: Hot Glue Gun+Cardboard
Crafts Projects
Hand Tool Woodworking
Hand Tool Woodworking Projects
Pliers + Cutters
Screwdrivers, Wrenches, Ratchets
Hand Tools Projects
Lego Robotics + Block Coding
Lego Robotics Projects
Electricity & Circuits
Electronics Projects
Rank 2 Badges
3D Printing + 3D Modeling
3D Printing + 3D Modeling Projects
Laser Cutter + Lightburn
Laser Cutter + Lightburn Projects
Hand Tool Woodworking
Power Drill
Impact Driver
Hand Tool Woodworking Projects
Miter Saw
Scroll Saw
Power Tool Woodworking Projects
Electricity & Circuits
Electronics Projects
Microbit + Block Coding
Microbit + Block Coding Projects
Combination Project
Note: Early drop offs or late pickups outside of class time will be billed as Open Makerspace time. 30 minutes of Open Makerspace time is included with class signup and will be automatically deducted from student total.
Holidays and Time Off: Forge is closed for certain weeks throughout the year and takes time off for holiday and seasonal breaks. Please see our Holiday Schedule and Closings page for information on this.