A Makerspace for Gifted Youth in West Dallas

Gifted students ages 11–18 pursue independent projects with access to tools, peers and mentors. Explore coding, electronics, fabrication, art and more. Homeschool students can work on projects during the school day.

Request an Application

A parent or guardian starts the request. Launchpad then sends the application; membership acceptance is a separate step.

Explore Freely

Gain supervised access to cutting-edge tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, and a fully equipped woodshop during after-school hours, weekends, and school breaks.

Learn from Peers

Participate in "Each One, Teach One" nights, where students lead workshops for their peers and mentors, building a community of shared knowledge.

Build Teams and Leadership

Collaborate on exciting team projects, from weather balloons to hydroponic gardens, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Learn from Experts

Deepen their understanding of advanced STEAM topics (e.g., algebra, calculus, statistics, chemistry, and physics) in small-groups.

Compete and Excel

Showcase their talents at esteemed competitions like the Science Olympiad, VEX Robotics and the International Science & Engineering Fair.

Develop Holistically

Explore diverse interests with on-site lessons in piano, martial arts, and other areas that cultivate a well-rounded individual.

Membership and Admissions Criteria

We are scouring the Dallas area for the brainiest middle school aged kids we can find. Our application process isn't about weeding kids out: it's about getting to know them, understanding their unique strengths, and seeing how they can contribute to the Launchpad community. To apply:

Step 1: The parent/guardian, must submit this request for an application and give their child, the prospective crewmember, permission to apply. (We explain why in the Privacy Policies.)

Step 2: Wait for us to send the application (it may take a day or two).

Step 3: The prospective crewmember completes the application. They may need guardian's help with retrieving relevant academic records - but otherwise the prospective crewmember should complete the application on their own.

Step 4: The prospective crewmember must check email for a response or a request for more information. They may be invited to an on-site project and interview. We will accept crewmembers on a rolling basis, but it may take a few weeks.

Step 5: If your child is accepted, we will contact you about next steps.

Prospective Crewmembers

Where do our crewmembers start? After submitting an application, a prospective crewmember may be invited to participate in an in-person interview and on-site project. If you are accepted as a crewmember, you’ll be ready for ambitious projects like autonomous robots, AI chatbots, space rockets, or automated lemonade stands. Launchpad Dallas supports you every step of the way!

Learn About Sample Team Projects

Build a Go-Kart

Let's Race!

Design, build, prototype and RACE a go-kart!

Launch a Rocket

150km at Apogee!

Learn and apply Newton's laws, material sciences &resilience to build and launch a rocket to space.

Code an AI Bot

BrAIniacs know AI!

Crewmembers have the brAIns to trAIn a bot with a custom library.

Crewmember Project

Aidan | 8th Grade | Founding Crewmember + Nuclear Fusor

Aidan's last project was building a nuclear fusor, with the goal of breaking the Guinness World Record for youngest fusioneer.

In the news:

The Dallas Morning News

Spectrum News

NBC5

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Visit mentor profiles who might be able to help with these projects>

What Some Crewmembers Are Building Right Now

Reese | Freshman | In-Ear Metronome

Reese made the signs around our space and sewed the aprons our crewmembers wear. Her current project is an in-ear metronome, a small earpiece that keeps a steady beat for music practice. A phone app would do the same job, but school rules prohibit phones, so Reese is building something that works without one. Next comes an accurate compass, painted directly onto our concrete floor.

Miles | Freshman | Radiosonde Circuit Board and Sirens

Miles has 3D printed scaled replicas of aircraft, including the Airbus A350-1000, and worked through a run of fire alarm system projects. When our weather balloon went up, Miles tracked the radiosonde, the instrument package a balloon carries aloft to read temperature, pressure, and position. Miles is now designing the printed circuit board for the radiosonde we are building ourselves, the board every component mounts to and the piece the rest of the build depends on. A 3D printed siren comes after that.

Tristan | 7th Grader | CAD and Radiosonde Programming

Tristan began by publishing Blender tutorials on YouTube, teaching the free 3D software used for animation and game art, and still puts out new ones. Alongside that, Tristan writes the software for the radiosonde for our Weather Balloon Project. A drone is the next build.

Collin | Sophomore | FPV Drone and Radio Transmission

Collin is building an FPV drone and writing the flight code for it. FPV stands for first person view: a camera on the aircraft streams live video to a headset, so the pilot flies from the aircraft's point of view rather than from the ground. Collin also closes the loop on the weather balloon, assisting Zack with the radio link that carries the readings from the radiosonde back down to the team.

Ollie | Freshman | RFID Badging System

Ollie has a wide range of interests including sewing and has since moved into electronics. The build in progress is an RFID badging system, the tap to enter setup familiar from most workplaces. Once it is finished, every crewmember and mentor in the space will badge in on something Ollie designed.

Syona | Sophomore | Stream Deck

Syona has built an MP3 player and sewn a set of swim tights, moving between electronics and textiles from one project to the next. Syona plans to build a stream deck, a compact panel of programmable buttons that each trigger a shortcut. She's one of our newest crewmembers.

Ready to Join?

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Launchpad Incubator different from gifted programs at my child's school?

Launchpad Incubator offers a unique experience that complements and extends beyond traditional school programs:

We do not have teachers; our crewmembers are self-taught;
In-depth exploration of specific areas, going beyond what is possible in a school setting;
Practical experience with advanced tools and technologies, turning ideas into reality;
True peer level teams, fostering collaboration and a sense of belonging; and
Access to mentors, peers, and potential postsecondary opportunities that are on their level.

How much does Launchpad Incubator cost, and do you offer financial assistance?

We believe that every gifted child deserves access, regardless of financial circumstances. That's why we offer a sliding-scale membership model. Please contact us directly to discuss your specific situation and our scholarship options.

What are the time commitments involved?

We offer flexible programs to accommodate busy schedules. Students can participate during after-school hours, weekends, and school breaks. Homeschool students can spend time during and after their school days on site to work on projects. Crewmembers (and their families) determine how much time they spend at Launchpad. Specific project-based time commitments may vary, and we encourage open communication between parents and crewmembers.

How do you ensure the safety of my child?

Safety is our top priority. We will have strict safety protocols, thorough staff training, and access to all tools and equipment will be supervised.

We are currently reviewing training and safety policies at existing makerspaces (on campuses and independent) to ensure each crewmember safely and responsibly uses the tools at their disposal. We will update this section to reflect our policy once we have finalized it.

Our privacy policies are here.

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