Join us for an exciting Fall of STEM! Genius Gems is at the cutting edge of STEM, and our philosophy is that learning should be hands-on, full of experiments, 3D printing and CAD design, engineering projects, robotics and more. We encourage students to ask questions and be inquisitive!
Classes begin on Thursday, September 4th and run through December 23rd (Tuesday)
If your child needs any kind of additional supports that would help them to be successful in this camp/class, please reach out to discuss at information@geniusgems.com.
Classes run for 45 minutes and each day will include a new age-appropriate activity.
If you would like to book the class plus playtime until 5:30 PM, please sign up for the 2.5 hour option!
We also offer school pickups from PS 340, PS 11, PS 41, Friends Seminary, City and Country, Academy of Saint Joseph, and other local schools. Please email us to inquiry about adding another school to our pickup list!
When signing up for school pick up, please indicate which school, the pick up time, and the exact pickup location.
PLEASE READ OUR CANCELLATION POLICY BEFORE REGISTERING Our full refund (minus a 10% processing fee) deadline is July 1st, 2025. between July 1st and August 1st, 2025, you can receive a 50% refund. No refunds or credits will be issued after August 1st, 2025.
Fall 2025 STEM Class Landing Page
*for Coding 1 Plus, students must either have completed a prior coding course or be in 2nd grade. 2nd graders with proficient laptop skills are encouraged to take Coding 2 instead.
What if my child is absent from school or goes home early? Please email information@geniusgems.com and let us know in advance.
Can I schedule a make up class if I'm traveling? Yes, you can schedule up to one make-up class per session. The make up class must take place during the current session and canot be rolled over to the next semester. Make up classes are for classes only, they cannot be transferred to general admission or a credit.
Can I sign up for more than one class? Yes, you can sign up for more than one weekly class, or you can sign up for back to back classes.
Do you pick up from schools other than Friends Seminary, PS 340, PS 11, or PS 41? We are open to other school pick ups in close proximity to Genius Gems NYC, but please email us to coordinate with the school.
What if I have additional questions? Please email us at information@geniusgems.com and someone will reply within 2-3 days of your inquiry.
Can I get a prorated rate if I join classes late? Yes! Email us at informtion@geniusgems.com to recieve a discounted rate on classes to account for the weeks that you've missed.
Do you offer trial classes? For NEW customers who have never taken a class or mini camp before at Genius Gems, you can email us at information@geniusgems.com and if there is space available, we can offer a PAID one time trial to see if your child likes the class. We need at least 48 hours notice to accommodate a trial. Please contact information@geniusgems.com to see if there is availability. Unfortunately we cannot hold spots for students that wish to try the class before enrolling.
Families can arrange up to ONE makeup per class session for a missed class depending on availability. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate more than one makeup class per session. Makeups must be scheduled before the end of the terms. No refunds or credits will be offered for missed classes. Holidays are already factored into the schedule.
Classes are fully refundable (less 10% per class registration) prior to July 1st, 2025
You may email us your refund request at information@geniusgems.com and our response (within 24 hours) will be confirmation of receipt of your email. If you do not hear from us then we have not received your request.
If you notify us via email that you wish to cancel your registration between July 1st and August 1st, 2025, 50% of the tuition will be refunded. After August 1st, 2025, no refunds will be issued.
Last minute cancellations: if and only if we have a waiting list and can fill your spot, we will refund you less a $25 processing fee per registration. Switching sections: If and only if we have availability in another class, you may make one switch per semester to another class for no additional cost. Genius Gems reserves the right to charge a $10 administrative fee per additional change request for any additional requested schedule changes.
Refunds/credits will not be issued in the following situations:
A child is removed from the class due to behavioral issues. A child decides to drop out of the program early/before the end of classes. Your child is sick and either stayed home from, or was sent home from class due to fever or other ailments. A family decides they no longer wish to enroll in the class. A family decides they have a conflict with another program and opt not to take the Genius Gems class.
Refunds/credits will not be issued for missed classes, or for withdrawing from the class. Unfortunately we cannot roll over credits to the following semester. After August 1st, no refunds will be issued. Please read our policy and dates above prior to enrolling. No more than 50% refunds will be offered in any particular case or extenuating circumstances.
We currently offer pick up from PS 340, PS 41, PS 11, Academy of St. Joseph, and Friends Seminary. If your school is within walking distance to Genius Gems NYC, please email us to request school pick up, and please copy the person who coordinates after school programs at your school to see if we can add another school to our pick up schedule.
Please note that for Friends Seminary and Academy of St. Joseph, we require at least 3 students to sign up in order for us to provide pick up.
Students with school pick ups are picked up by a staff member, and brought directly to Genius Gems. They may purchase a snack in our cafe, or bring their own. Following snack break, students will have time to build marbleshoots, code robots, and build with magnetic tiles / earn tokens before or after their class time. This is supervised. If the class is at 3:45, students will have playtime afterwards until 5:30 pm. If the class is at 4:45, most of the supervised play time will be before the class begins.
Can I do the 2.5 hour time if I don't need school pick up? Yes, as long as you sign up for the 2.5 hour time, you are welcome to take the class and stay until 5:30 PM. Students that sign up for just the 45 minute class must be picked up promptly at the end of the 45 minute class, or they may be charged additional fees.
Intro to Engineering (K - 1st, no other prerequisites): Welcome to the exciting world of engineering! Students will construct introductory projects that introduce them to various engineering concepts and principles. They will learn about DC circuits, magnetic forces, simple explanations and applications of Newton's 1st & 3rd Laws, structure & support mechanisms, simple computer aided 3D design & printing, and design considerations faced by engineers at all levels.
Engineering Tech (2nd - 6th, no other prerequisites): Welcome to Engineering and Tech, a hands-on class where students in grades 2–6 explore how things work by building, designing, and experimenting with real-world technology and creative challenges! Students will build projects used to teach them various engineering concepts and principles. They will learn about DC circuits, motors, gears, and generators, applications of magnetism, Newton's 1st & 3rd Laws as applied to propulsion systems, the use of structure & support in engineering design and construction, computer aided 3D design & printing, and other design considerations faced by professional engineers.
Mad Science (K - 4th, no other prerequisites): Get ready for Mad Science, an exciting class where curious minds in grades 2–6 dive into experiments, chemical reactions, and scientific discoveries! Students will improve their critical thinking skills while learning about chemistry, physics, the scientific method, and the structure of an experiment. They will perform experiments designed to explore chemical and physical reactions while teaching them about molecular structure, density, energy transfer, and states of matter. Amongst other things, they will learn about polymers, exothermic reactions, pressure, and the differences between Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids, Some of these fun and exciting experiments will even be edible.
Coding 1 (K - 1st, no other prerequisites): Welcome to Coding Level 1, where students in grades Kindergarten through 1st grade learn the basics of programming through fun, interactive projects that bring their ideas to life! Using symbolic coding blocks, students will enjoy both game and robot coding while being introduced to the fundamental concepts of computer programming (sequences, variables, loops, and conditionals). The course is designed to introduce them to logic based thinking and to improve their ability to problem solve. It does not require that they be reading yet, although it will help them improve their reading comprehension and simple counting and math skills.
Coding 1 Plus (K - 2nd, students must either have completed a prior coding course or be in 2nd grade. 2nd graders with proficient laptop skills are encouraged to take Coding 2 instead): While similar to Coding 1, Coding 1 Plus is designed to build upon the things the students already learned in Coding 1 while exploring more complex robotic control and more advanced game coding. Students will enjoy both game and robot coding while furthering their understanding of fundamental concepts of computer programming (sequences, variables, loops, and conditionals), and while gaining basic laptop proficiency. The course is designed to encourage logic based thinking and teach problem solving skills. While not essential, some reading skills will be helpful. The course will help improve those skills, as well as their understanding of simple mathematics, and their comfort level with using laptops.
Coding 2 (2nd - 4th, students must have laptop proficiency): Welcome to Coding Level 2, where students build on their foundational skills to create more advanced programs, tackle real-world challenges, and deepen their understanding of how code powers the world around us! Students will use block based coding to design and build games, control robots, and complete coding challenges. The course will solidify their understanding of the fundamental concepts of computer programming (sequences, variables, loops, conditional logic, objects, threads, and message passing). They will work with an array of different hardware and software further advancing their appreciation of and abilities with the wide range of coding applications.
Coding 3 (4th - 6th, students must have completed a prior coding class): After a block coding review of the fundamental concepts of computer programming (sequences, variables, loops, conditional logic, objects, threads, and message passing), students will begin learning to code in a professional programming language called Python. Python has been selected because its simple syntax and english-like keywords make it an ideal first programming language, but it is so powerful that it is used for many professional applications including web development, game design, data science, and artificial intelligence. During this course, in addition to furthering their understanding of basic coding concepts, the students will learn about various powerful coding data structures, object oriented design and programming, and even explore some AI algorithms, including ones used in image/video processing & analysis, and non-parametric statistical machine learning.
Advanced Robotics with VEX® (3rd - 6th, no other prerequisites): Welcome to VEX® Robotics, an exciting, hands-on class where students design, build, and program robots to solve challenges, compete in games, and explore the world of engineering and automation! Students will learn to build and code VEX robots. They will take on the same or similar challenges faced by competitors in the VEX® Robotics World Championship competition, and the regional VEX IQ Robotics competitions that feed the world championship. While this course does not compete in competitions, it is designed to prepare students who wish to compete in the future.
Design Lab (1st-4th no other prerequisites): The Design Lab is a dynamic, hands-on STEAM class where creativity and art meet cutting-edge technology. Students explore 3D printing, experiment in the Design Bar, and dive into inventive STEM art and design projects that spark imagination and innovation. With access to tools like the laser cutter and the kid-safe Chomp Saw, students can cut, shape, and bring their ideas to life as they design, build, and invent in exciting new ways. This class has an artistic and creative component.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In the past, families could register for our drop-off programs like our Fall Classes by simply paying for them. However, we’re now slowing that process down a bit to ensure our programs are a good fit for each child. Just like applying to a school, you must apply and be accepted first. We’re instituting a similar policy to enhance the quality of our programs.
Here's the good news: you will only need to complete this application once per child. Once your child has been accepted into Genius Gems, you won’t need to reapply again for ANY drop-off programs (classes, camps, date night, etc.), and you can go back to registering directly for any future drop-off programs for that child.
The application process is free, and once approved, you'll receive a registration link for available classes. Please note, registration is first-come, first-served and only secured after completing payment. We encourage you to complete this process as soon as possible!
