FAQs
BrainStorm59 FAQs
Learning Labs
Student Learning Labs 2026 – Spring Sessions 2026 will be held for 12-full-weeks with each specific subject lab offered over 3-week blocks. In other words, the student will get the full benefit of each subject throughout the Session, and build from one subject to the next.
Adult Learning Labs 2025-26 – Adult Labs will be held in 2-hour blocks, throughout the year with hands-on technical assistance and resources for keeping yourselves and your family safe, while staying connected (Mobile, Online, Social Media and Shopping). Please bring your personal device to the labs, so we can help you secure them inside the Sessions. We also offer training in Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
Graduating High School Seniors and College-Level Labs – focuses on College Prep for English Writing and Papers (ELA), to get your college-ready. Each block is 2-4 hours, depending upon the Session time/days.
Summer Sessions 2026 should be reserved in advance, and will be scheduled for 8-weeks. Our summer schedule will be announced in March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not see your question below, reach out and we will respond right away.
We offer a variety of options for students to explore and learn.
Technology Labs are usually suited for students who enjoy working with computers (coding and design) and would like to learn more about emerging technologies and those tools available. Students may also enjoy learning video game design or video production and trying new tools to create their products. We teach introduction to Python programming during technical labs. Each block is 1-2 hours each week, depending upon the Session time/days.
Our Creative Design Labs are tailored for anyone who is interested in using their creative juices to design products and digital elements they can enjoy for themselves, give as gifts, or even sell online (Wearable Art, T-Shirt Designs, Displayable Art, etc.). We encourage students to choose which labs they want to engage, and to try a few different sessions to see which ones they like best. We teach PhotoShop and other creative design software for these labs. Each block is 1-2 hours each week, depending upon the Session time/days.
Adult-Level Labs focus on how to minimize your risk of hacking and online fraud. We will show you how to turn off specific settings (3rd Party Cookies, Tracking, No-Follow, Location, Bluetooth, etc.) to minimize exposure to outside sources. Each Lab will focus on specific brands (Apple, Microsoft, various Androids, etc.) and browsers (Thunderbird, Chrome, Microsoft, Firefox, etc.) and help you understand what settings can keep you safe. We will also teach Microsoft Office products and how to get the most of of these. Each block is 2-4 hours, depending upon the Session time/days. Food and Beverages will be provided for 4-hour sessions. These Labs will be scheduled throughout the year, so please provide your email address to receive Lab updates.
Graduating high school Seniors and College-Level Labs are focused on College Prep for English Writing and Papers (ELA), to get your college-ready. Each block is 2-4 hours each day, for one or two weeks, depending upon the Session time/days. Food and Beverages will be provided for 4-hour sessions.
It is important to us that each student learns the concepts, practices and instruction, in small, bite-sized chunks for better retention. Grades 1-12 Technology & Creative Labs are offer in 3-week Sessions for each subject, and to reinforce concepts learned in school. This makes it easier to apply and remember what they are learning in traditional education. Students will learn various skills throughout the Sessions, starting with brainstorming and documenting the products they will create and build, then they will learn as they build the products.
Adult Online Safety Classes and Graduating High School and College-Level Prep Labs will be offered throughout the year, so please sign-up to receive Email or Text notifications when the classes are scheduled.
Learning Labs include all software and computers (for Technology Labs), and creative materials (for Wearable & Displayable Art Labs) utilized during each Session. Since our software licenses cannot be transferred, we ask that students utilize the lab’s computers for in-lab training. However, if students want to use these tools at home, we will provide a complete list of tools we utilize, and we encourage them to do so.
Adult Labs – We ask that each adult bring in their device(s) for the associated learning lab, so we can assist you in updating your settings to minimize your risk while browsing online — whether you are utilizing a mobile phone or laptop. [Please do not bring in computer towers (PCs). You are welcome to use our computers to learn, and make the changes at home. We will provide all source materials and instructions for you to take home and make the changes, if you have a home PC (not mobile or laptop). We are also available for questions via email.
We need each student’s undivided attention during our interactive learning labs. The goals for each session are explained on the first day, and reinforced through the Sessions. We will also provide feedback along the way, and discuss any challenges. Students are encouraged to participate and ask a lot of questions. We want each session to be a fun, rewarding experience and will do everything we can to help make learning these new concepts exciting, while reinforcing STEM, ELA, and Creative arts, and keeping Adults safe online while staying connected with friends and family.
We have small student Learning Labs, so students get the individual attention they need. Most Session Labs will be limited to 10-12 students, so make sure to apply early to secure a spot. Adult Labs can hold up to 20-25 participants.
Student Technology & Creative Learning Labs are offered either one or two-days each week, for grades 5 through 12, as shown on the Sessions page. We also offer one Creative Lab for Grades 1-4 each week. We require a $100 deposit for each Session to hold a spot. We feel our cost is very reasonable based upon market rates, and the quality and amount of information students learn. Please look at current schedules on our Sessions page and course details on the Technology and Creative Design pages. Enrollment costs are determined by the number of days each week, and the session offered, starting at $165/mo.
Adult and College-Prep classes are offered throughout the year, so please provide your email and interests so we can notify you when these are scheduled.
Students interested in enrolling in one or more Sessions, please fill out our interest form, so we can plan Learning Labs accordingly. We will contact you as soon as the class is scheduled so you may enroll. If the requested lab time did not meet the required minimum number of students, we will be glad to contact you to discuss alternative labs. However, we will do our best to schedule students at the day and time(s) requested. Applications must be sent at least one-week prior to Session start dates. We will send deadline reminders via the email we have on file for you.
The most important rules are: 1) Be on time. 2) If you need to miss, please email us and let us know. 3) As in all learning environments, we do not tolerate fighting, weapons of any kind, and alcohol or drugs are not permitted on the premises at any time. Students who violate this rule will be dismissed from the program immediately. This way, our program promotes a fun and safe learning environment for all of our students.
We have successfully completed the processes we teach many times and are confident in our abilities to help students grow, learn, and move into the future with their new skills. The Learning Lab tools and resources are available for enrolled students so they can further their training at home. The program offers hands-on learning in STEM, ELA, and Design concepts, so students can learn how to use and apply them effectively.
Adults can expect to have guided hands-on instruction to keep themselves and their families safe while browsing online, banking, shopping, and meeting online, and minimize their risk of exposure to fraud and hacking.
Our hands-on Technical and Creative Learning Labs include Adobe Products, Figma, Gimp, Khan Academy, Google Classroom, Pixar Labs, and a variety of new technologies (AI tools) and SaaS (Software as a Service) products, so students can understand the strengths and differences of each tool. During our hands-on creative Wearable and Displayable Art Labs, we utilize a variety of materials and tools, including polymer clay, acrylic paints, mica powders, pastels, paper transfer, clay cutters, and more! Each student tools are based upon enrolled Sessions and what they are creating. We encourage creativity and individuality!
Adult and College-Prep classes will utilize a variety of tools, applicable to the Learning Lab subject.
Brainstorm59 provides all computers and materials needed for each Student Learning Lab session. No snacks are needed, since we do not allow food and beverages in the learning labs. We encourage Students to eat a healthy snack prior to arrival. Water and Lemonade will be available in the breakroom, between Labs.
Adult Labs – we request that you bring your mobile phone or laptop (No PCs) so we can guide you through the steps of securing your devices as much as possible, to minimize your risks. We also have PCs available for anyone who would like to utilize them.
Brainstorm59 operates solely on student enrollment, and we have very small classes so we can provide hands-on learning labs to give individual attention to each student. If a student enrolls and is accepted, he/she is taking the spot of another student who did not secure a spot. Therefore, we are not able to provide refunds if a Learning Lab is scheduled to meet and the student chooses to not attend some of the labs. However, if a student signs up and decides not to attend – giving notice AT LEAST ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE of the first class – the first month’s Lab payment will be refunded and we will offer the spot to another student. We feel this is only fair to all students and parents.
If a student misses a class due to illness or a death in the family, we will do our best to catch up the student in the next class. Absences are considered on a case-by-case basis and a doctor’s note is required for assistance with make-up work. Since each class builds upon the previous one, it is important that students attend each lab so they are able to enjoy the full benefits of each Learning Lab.
Adult Labs — If you enroll in a lab and are accepted, but determine that you can not attend, please notify us ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE and we will provide a refund for the Lab enrollment fee, and offer your spot to another student.
Please send us an email message at support@brainstorm59.com and we will reach out as soon as possible! If you want to schedule an in-person meeting, please email to set-up a convenient time. We apologize for not being able to meet right before, during or immediately after classes, since we have a tight schedule.
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is a technology that is predicted to transform the way we learn, live and work in the years ahead. It is simply a powerful TOOL, like our televisions, laptops and cell phones. However, AI has more advanced capabilities than a typical computer system. It is highly encouraged for each student to understand how to ethically use AI as a tool and not as a crutch or replacement for learning. We want ALL of our students to be aware and ready for the transition this tool will provide and the future it is predicted to bring.
Wearable Art is a catch-all term for original art made by hand that is worn on the body, like earrings, bracelets, pendants, hair clips, T-Shirt designs, fabric designs, clothing buttons, etc. The student’s unique, one-of-a-kind design is why it is called “art.”
Social Media Marketing is simply online (digital) advertising and marketing to promote a product or service on one of the major social media platforms, like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Pintrest, YouTube, etc. This fairly new media has only been available for about the past 20 years with the introduction of the internet. So, new terms for this technology have developed along the way, like “Live streaming”, “influencers,” “followers”. Social media has the power to reach millions (or billions) of people, as opposed to traditional media, like television, newspaper, magazines, or local radio, which only reach a limited audience (or market). See the below information titled “What is an Influencer?“
So, when your product or service is published to one of these social platforms, you have the potential to expand your reach, outside of local markets. When your content (ad, text, videos or other components) is shared by friends in the social media community, you may increase your product sales, or awareness of your services, ideas, or opinions. It is a cost-effective way to reach a larger market and usually for a fraction of the cost of traditional media.
Social Media and other digital media have opened up the doors for small, independent podcasters, bloggers, and product testers to compete with famous people who traditionally are the driving forces behind product buying, promotions or concepts, that influence our thoughts. These independent influencers, most of whom were relatively unknown, now have the power to drive product sales, push social and economic ideas, influence our buying habits, inform, or just entertain. Influencer audiences are comprised of large groups of people who “follow” or subscribe to their social channel or social media posts. Their followers are basically a faithful audience who listens, looks, and (usually) trusts what the influencer is telling them. An influencer can also be entertaining, like in the case of influencers who perform outlandish stunts, comedy skits or introduce new music.
One of the most successful YouTube influencers to date is MR. BEAST, who has more subscribers (more than 423 Million) than most all network or cable media. He has amassed millions of dollars by creating YouTube videos of himself and his friends doing crazy stunts, and giving away money, products, houses and cars to people who appear in his videos.
On Instagram, the most popular accounts (millions and even billions of followers) belong to Cristiano Ronaldo – more than 1.02 Billion followers (with a “B”). Selena Gomez – more than 683.9 million followers. and Lionel Messi – more than 623 million IG followers. as of July 2025.
Other popular YouTube podcasters include Lex Friedman (4.8M subscribers), a technology professor at Stanford, who uses his social media podcast with a variety of guests for educating about current trends. Dr. Andrew Huberman (7M subscribers), an ophthalmologist and neurologist who invites guests to discuss advanced health-related topics and what we can do to optimize our health and our lives.
Another famous influencer on social media platforms (“YouTube” and “Pateron”) is Shawn Ryan. Shawn has almost 6M subscribers. He is a retired military veteran (Navy SEAL), who interviews a variety of famous and even little-known guests, who have either served in the military, branches of government, or have a story to tell that affects the health and welfare of Americans.
Ryan Hall, a retired meteorologist, has more than 2.5M subscribers for his weather updates and predictions. He also broadcasts live on YouTube for many, many hours during major storms or natural events, to help keep people safe.
In other words, anyone with something of interest to say can become an influencer — doctors, lawyers, comedians, beauty and health consultants, tech gurus, moms and dads, entertainers, sports celebrities, news reporters, artists, musicians, children and families, utilize social media to promote their image, products, services and ideas, and some just for entertainment, to their faithful audiences. ** All of these numbers were provided in August of 2025 and are considered approximate. **
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