VISST is proud to invite female and non-binary grade 6/7 students of Metro Vancouver to a special Spring Break camp — our first ever Creative Technology and Design for Girls! Thanks to a generous donation, this FREE, knowledge-packed camp will be a week-long experience where students will immerse themselves in two forms of creative technology: Computer Numeric Controlled Tool Fabrication and Coding for Game Development.
In addition to learning and developing a medley of new skills, attendees will also have the opportunity to sit down at the end of the week to hear from and speak with women pursuing a STEM-related career, providing a comfortable environment for young women to freely ask questions.
A showcase will take place on the final day for students to present their finished projects to their peers, families, and guest speakers. At the end of the camp, two $1,000 scholarships towards Grade 8 VISST tuition will be awarded to the best Fabrication project and best mini game Coding project, announced during the closing of the showcase.
Complimentary lunches will also be provided each day.
Who?
Female and non-binary students currently in grade 6 or 7 in Metro Vancouver. Students must apply and be selected for participation. More details below.
Why should you attend?
Exposure to both digital design work as well as physical creation through girl-centred activities.
Learn to use tools that enable creative projects you may never have imagined to be possible, such as the Laser Cutter, Cricut, and Heat Press.
Gain insight to the game development process by coding and designing 4 simple mini games from start to finish.
Brainstorm and engage with fellow like-minded designers and challenge yourself to think outside the box.
Led by impassioned female leaders excited to share knowledge with, inspire, and empower girls to continue pursuing STEM.
What will you learn?
This all-day camp experience will offer physical fabrication in the morning half and a game development session in the afternoon. With both camps, students will be able to flex their creativity and explore new opportunities to bring their ideas to life.
Computer Numeric Controlled Fabrication
Zip, Zap, Zerp, Goes the Laser Cutter: Students will get first hand experience on what a CO2 laser cutter is capable of and learn how to design their own projects - starting with their very own laser engraved and cut keychain.
Shredding It Up: Cricuts are a versatile tool for paper craft, sticker making, vinyl cutting, and many more. Students will kick off their Cricut adventures by designing and cutting their very own sticker sheets.
Textile Art and Printing: Designing and having your own merch is more accessible than ever when you have access to an automatic Heat Press! Assembling their own graphics, students will sublimate their own tote bags to take home all of their finished work at the end of the week.
Game Development and Coding
Go, Go, Godot: Using the Godot game engine, students will learn how to code their very own computer games. To learn a variety of functions and mechanics, students will be guided through sample mini arcade-style games before coming up with their very own game.
The camp will also include lunchtime bonus learning sessions including a math appreciation session with VISST Principal Mike Gelbart.
When?
Monday March 26th, 2026 - Friday March 29th, 2026
9:00am-4:00pm
Where?
The Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology (VISST): 1490 West Broadway, Vancouver.
Camp Instructor
Thanh Nguyen
Thanh is a multimedia artist with over a decade of experience in teaching creative technology and digital fabrication in the Metro Vancouver region. Since graduating from the Art Institute of Vancouver with a degree in Game Art and Design, she has been teaching game design and programming, 3D modeling and animation. She has been developing specialize curriculums and teaching a creative technology courses, workshops and camps with Byte Camp and MakerLabs, and is currently the Design and Technology Specialist with VISST. Thanh is always looking for ways to provide accessible avenues of learning to students keen on learning about the digital arts.
Fees
Thanks to a generous donation from Judi Hess, this camp is completely free!
Registration
While we would love to host this program for all interested participants, seats are limited. If you are fascinated by the world of STEM, digital design, and/or media arts, please submit your application for consideration.
Applicants are not required to have prior experience with the camp's topics to apply — just curiosity and enthusiasm. There is no fee for submitting an application.
Applications will be accepted until Friday January 30th, 2026 with acceptance confirmations starting Monday February 2nd, 2026.
We are unable to offer this program as a half-day option. Only full-day participation is available.
Additional Notes
Materials used for the fabrication/maker side of camp will be provided. Students are welcome to bring in their own materials too once they learn the tools’ capabilities.
Every student will need their own laptop with keyboard and mouse. The following programs will also need to be downloaded and installed:
Inkscape: free open source vector illustration software
xTool Studio: software for preparing laser cut designs (Note: xTool Studio is not available on Linux operating systems)
Cricut Design Space: accounts are free to sign up and you can decline any subscription offers. When prompted, you should choose Cricut Explore 3. (Note: Cricut Design Space is not available on Linux operating systems)
Godot: free open source Game Development Engine
Parents are asked to prepare their child’s devices ahead of the camp by installing all of the requested software to confirm compatibility, and adjusting/disabling screen time limiting software to allow their child device access for the full duration of camp.
We have limited devices available for loaning for students without a compatible device. Please communicate this need to us in order to reserve a device.
Questions?
For inquiries regarding this program, you may contact the instructor, Thanh Nguyen, directly at thanh@visst.ca.