SCIENCE · TECHNOLOGY · ENGINEERING · MATH
Build a
brighter
tomorrow.
STEM training for real-world
thinkers — grades 3–8.
Tinker Scholar is a personalized online homeschool where curiosity meets real skills. Every week our AI plans lessons around your child, pairs each big idea with a hands-on build, and tracks progress against the learning standards states use.
weekly plans
online learning
skills
Science
Explore our universe.
Technology
Create with purpose.
Engineering
Turn ideas into solutions.
Math
See a bigger picture.
01 — HOW IT WORKS
Three steps, every week
A simple routine. A powerful future.
01
Set each child's level
Grade, math and reading levels, interests and school hours — we customize a plan for every learner in your family.
02
Learn and build
Interactive lessons, printable worksheets, hands-on projects, and 3D models your child can explore.
03
Track progress
Mark work done, see scores, and get next week's plan automatically — rebalanced around what your child mastered.
02 — CURRICULUM
Four core subjects. Three maker labs.
Core subjects keep you covered. Maker labs make it stick — every lab project applies what was taught that week.
CORE SUBJECTS — STANDARDS-MAPPED
MAKER LABS — WHERE THE CORE GETS BUILT
03 — THE LAB
Concepts you can turn in your hands
Every unit comes with interactive 3D models. Move the sliders, drag to rotate, and watch the math respond.
04 — A SAMPLE DAY
Tuesday · Potential vs. kinetic energy
Example plan for a 6th grader who loves medieval history, reads above level, and is still working on fractions.
- HOOKWhy could a castle siege engine hurl a stone farther than any archer? (10 min)
- BUILDPopsicle-stick trebuchet — vary the counterweight in ¼-ounce steps. (40 min)
- MEASURERecord each launch, graph mass vs. distance, find the ratio. (20 min)
- WRITEBuild log: what changed, what you would redesign next time. (15 min)
STANDARDS: NGSS MS-PS3-2 · CCSS 6.RP.A.3 · CCSS W.6.2
1. Fill in the table as you add counterweight.
| Mass (oz) | Distance (in) | Distance ÷ mass |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ¼ | ||
| 2 ½ | ||
| 3 ¾ |
2. Where is energy stored before release? Where does it go after?
Auto-leveled · answer key in parent view
05 — STUDENT SUCCESS
Progress you can show anyone
See exactly which standards each child has met, where they are ahead, and where next week's plan will focus.
SAMPLE LEARNER · % OF GRADE-LEVEL STANDARDS MET · YELLOW PLANE = 70% TARGET
Standards map
Every lesson is tagged to Common Core, NGSS and C3 frameworks, which most states adopt or adapt.
Lesson log, automatically
Every finished lesson, score and hour is logged for each child as you check it off.
Year-end report
Export a clean record of subjects, hours and standards met for your state's documentation.
06 — PRICING
Start free for 14 days
No card needed for the trial. Cancel anytime.
SOLO
Cadet
$29 / month
- 1 learner
- All core subjects + maker labs
- Weekly AI lesson plans
- Printable worksheets & answer keys
- Standards progress tracking
FAMILY · MOST POPULAR
Crew
$49 / month
- Up to 4 learners
- Everything in Cadet
- A separate adaptive plan for each child
- Printable progress reports
- Priority email support
CO-OPS & PODS
Station
$99 / month
- Up to 12 learners
- Everything in Crew
- Built for co-ops, pods & tutors
- Every learner in one dashboard
07 — QUESTIONS
Good questions
Is this a full curriculum or a supplement?
Either. Families use Tinker Scholar as their complete grades 3–8 program across math, reading and writing, science and history, or turn on only the subjects they want and use the maker labs alongside another curriculum.
Does it meet my state's homeschool requirements?
Requirements differ by state. Lessons are tagged to widely used national standards (Common Core, NGSS and C3), and you can export records of subjects, hours and work samples. Check your state's homeschool rules for exactly what to keep or submit.
How much parent time does it take?
Plans arrive ready to teach. Most parents spend a few minutes reviewing the week, then guide hands-on builds. Older students in grades 6–8 can follow much of the plan independently.
What materials do builds need?
Builds are designed around household and craft-store supplies — cardboard, craft sticks, string, tape, rubber bands. Each plan includes a materials list so you can gather everything at once.
How does the AI personalize lessons?
It uses each child's grade, reading and math level, interests, and the results of finished work to choose topics, set difficulty and pick the next week's focus. You can edit, swap or regenerate any lesson.