Kinetic Minds — a creative tech studio for kids in Montclair, NJ — closed its doors after our final classes on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Before we go, here’s what this community made together.
Six months ago, we asked Montclair for a community fundraiser to pilot one coding cohort. The plan was small, specific, and a little nervous.
The original ask
$3,750 community fundraiser
One six-week pilot cohort
Eight kids in Montclair
Up to two need-based scholarship seats, if the math worked
One pilot. Eight kids. Two sponsored seats. That was the plan.
In six months, together, we built something so much bigger.
What we built together
Recurring weekend classes families came back to
LEGO robotics, Sphero, coding, and creative builds
Birthday parties parents requested by name
A real team, paid through real payroll
Curriculum, observational assessments, and kit systems
Real conversations with schools and Girl Scout troops about what came next
And the most important part
30%of seats were sponsored.
We didn’t just remove barriers to access. We exceeded our own goal for it.