Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.Does your young learner love building, tinkering, and figuring out how things work? STEAM Inventors (formerly Lego Lab) is the ultimate playground for creative exploration. This course blends STEM principles with hands-on activities to create a dynamic, personalized STEAM experience that goes way beyond the ordinary. Each week, students tackle new engineering challenges that build creativity, critical thinking, and the confidence to try bold ideas.
This course is not currently being offered. Please check back later or explore our other available courses.
Welcome to STEAM Inventors: Creative Engineering (formerly Lego Lab), the ultimate playground for creative exploration. Immerse your child in a world of inventive possibilities using LEGO bricks, magnetic tiles, clay, cardboard, paper, tape, blocks, and whatever fuels their imaginative spark.
Each week's hands-on challenges redefine learning, turning every session into a vibrant adventure that fosters inclusivity and engagement. Students dive into engaging tasks with LEGO bricks and everyday household items while building problem-solving, flexibility, and collaboration.
Show and Tell sessions celebrate each child's unique creativity, cultivate public speaking skills and confidence, and give students the chance to share completed works from home, sparking a real sense of pride.
This course fuses STEM with creativity, the A in STEAM. Students build critical thinking, flexible thinking, and grit, develop communication and public speaking skills, enhance fine motor skills and confidence, and cultivate collaboration and a sense of community through shared interests, all while nurturing a profound love for learning.
Join Ms. L in STEAM Inventors: Creative Engineering, where curiosity intertwines with creation and your child embarks on a journey of limitless discovery and joyful learning.
This course does not separate art from science. Your child learns to think like both an inventor and an artist, combining STEM skills with creative expression in every project. Parents tell us their kids start approaching problems at home with more creativity and more willingness to try new solutions.
Every session ends with students showing off what they built and explaining how they did it. That regular practice presenting their own work builds public speaking skills and the kind of quiet confidence that shows up in school presentations, group projects, and social situations. Parents notice the difference.
YSA is a UC-registered online publisher and WASC-accredited Supplementary Education Center, which means our courses can count toward official college credit requirements. State schools can recognize the courses your student takes here, adding real legitimacy to your homeschooling journey or building on top of your student's existing transcript. That unlocks two ways to enroll: For Credit -- Your student earns official, accredited credit toward their transcript. For-credit students complete weekly assignments that build toward their transcript grade. Outside-of-class work ranges from 1-2 hours per week. Perfect for families who want documentation that reflects what their child is actually capable of -- to show the world how brilliant they are. For Enrichment -- Your student takes the very same course purely for the love of learning. No grades, no outside-of-class work, no credit attached. Just the content, the community, and the growth. Same course. Same mentor. Same experience in class. You choose what fits your family.
If you homeschool, this works seamlessly. If your student attends another school full time, we create a report card and transcript that we share with you, and you share with the school. It is up to your primary school to accept it and add it to your student's official transcript.
Build and create with LEGO bricks, household items, and hands-on materials in challenges that blend art and engineering 
Develop problem-solving, flexibility, and creative thinking through open-ended STEAM activities designed for young inventors 
Share their creations in show-and-tell sessions that build public speaking skills and celebrate each child's unique ideas 
Build the confidence to experiment, take creative risks, and see themselves as someone who can design and build real things 
Meet Miss Louise - Your Child’s Learning Ally and Biggest Cheerleader Hi there! I’m Miss Louise - a teacher, mentor, and passionate advocate for every quirky, curious, twice-exceptional (2e) kiddo out there. My classroom is a place where thinking differently is celebrated, creativity is encouraged, and every student knows they matter. Parents often describe me as kind, patient, and endlessly flexible - and I take that to heart. I know that every learner is unique, and I pride myself on meeting students where they are, whether they’re bouncing off ideas a mile a minute or need a quiet moment to gather their thoughts. I’m here to listen, guide, and make sure your child feels seen, heard, and empowered to shine in their own way. My classes are filled with laughter, curiosity, and connection. I make sure instructions are crystal clear and that every student has the support they need to succeed. Most importantly, I create a space where kids feel safe to be themselves - because that’s where the real magic of learning happens. When your child joins my class, they’re not just gaining a teacher - they’re gaining a partner in learning who truly gets them. I can’t wait to welcome them in. SHORTER VERSION as I'm not sure on the norm! Hi! I’m Miss Louise - and I love working with 2e and neurodiverse kids. My classroom is a safe, welcoming space where students can be themselves, learn at their own pace, and feel truly supported. I’m known for being patient, kind, flexible, and clear in my teaching - and I always do my best to make learning fun and engaging. Parents trust me because I meet kids where they are, help them feel confident, and create a positive environment. Whether your child needs extra encouragement or just someone who “gets” them, I’m here to help them shine. I can’t wait to meet with your amazing kid!
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
Parents don't just see happier kids. They see sharper thinking, stronger friendships, and a child who actually wants to log on.
★★★★★
"My daughter races to her building kit before every session. Miss Louise makes each STEAM challenge feel like a brand new adventure."
Corinne P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. L turned Show and Tell into the highlight of my son's week. His confidence speaking up has grown so much."
Bradley N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter races to her building kit before every session. Miss Louise makes each STEAM challenge feel like a brand new adventure."
Corinne P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. L turned Show and Tell into the highlight of my son's week. His confidence speaking up has grown so much."
Bradley N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Miss Louise celebrates every creation, no matter how wobbly. My 2e kiddo finally feels proud of what he makes."
Vanessa K.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The open-ended challenges let my daughter solve problems her own way, and Ms. L cheers on every idea."
Emilio R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Miss Louise celebrates every creation, no matter how wobbly. My 2e kiddo finally feels proud of what he makes."
Vanessa K.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The open-ended challenges let my daughter solve problems her own way, and Ms. L cheers on every idea."
Emilio R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son built fine motor skills and patience without realizing it. Miss Louise sneaks the learning into pure fun."
Rosalind H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. L creates such a warm, inclusive group. My shy builder now shares his projects with the whole group."
Gideon A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son built fine motor skills and patience without realizing it. Miss Louise sneaks the learning into pure fun."
Rosalind H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. L creates such a warm, inclusive group. My shy builder now shares his projects with the whole group."
Gideon A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter races to her building kit before every session. Miss Louise makes each STEAM challenge feel like a brand new adventure."
Corinne P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. L turned Show and Tell into the highlight of my son's week. His confidence speaking up has grown so much."
Bradley N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Miss Louise celebrates every creation, no matter how wobbly. My 2e kiddo finally feels proud of what he makes."
Vanessa K.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The open-ended challenges let my daughter solve problems her own way, and Ms. L cheers on every idea."
Emilio R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son built fine motor skills and patience without realizing it. Miss Louise sneaks the learning into pure fun."
Rosalind H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. L creates such a warm, inclusive group. My shy builder now shares his projects with the whole group."
Gideon A.
YSA parent
If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:
You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.
You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.
No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.
We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.
All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.
WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents
Learn more about YSAQUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COURSE
Everything you need to know before enrolling your child.
Most online classes put 20-30 kids in a room with a teacher who reads slides. At YSA, your child joins a group of 8 or fewer students who think like they do, led by a mentor who was often once just like them. Cameras are optional. The content is chosen by passion, not grade level. And 93% of families re-enroll - because kids who have never liked school before fight to log on to YSA.
Yes. YSA families join from 47+ states and 17 countries across 6 continents. All you need is an internet connection. We schedule sections across multiple time zones so families worldwide can find a time that works.
STEAM Inventors Engineering (age 5-8) meets once per week for 45 minutes, every week from August through December. Your child joins the same tight-knit group of up to 6 students and the same mentor all semester long. Same friends, same mentor, a new challenge every week.
Our gifted and 2e students experience such asynchronous development that hard age limits rarely tell the full story. If your student should be aged up or aged down, contact us at support@youngscholarsacademy.org or click the chat in the bottom right corner of the screen. We do this all the time.
Please don't confuse reactive distance learning with what happens at YSA. When a kid is engaged in a course they chose, with a mentor who gets them and peers who share their interests, the screen disappears. They're not on a screen. They're with their people. Parents tell us their children fight to log on to YSA.
If your child isn't loving a course by the end of the first week, swap into a different course. Same semester. No questions. Not the right fit within the first month? We'll stop payments, switch courses, or issue credit toward any future course. The credit never expires. And you keep every bonus you've received. Over 93% of YSA families don't just stay. They add more courses.
No. Cameras are always optional. Always. Many of our students start with cameras off and turn them on when they're comfortable. Our mentors engage every student equally, cameras on or off.
No. If you're here, you're in the right place. We don't require paperwork, evaluations, or labels. Whether your child has been formally identified as gifted or twice-exceptional, whether you suspect it but haven't pursued testing, or whether you just know your kid's brain works differently and nothing else has fit, they're welcome here.
Yes. YSA is an approved vendor with 10+ state ESA programs including Arizona ESA, Utah Fits All, ClassWallet, My Tech High, Florida Step Up, and others. Enroll directly to secure your child's spot, submit the invoice to your ESA, and your payment method is refunded when funds transfer. Many families pay zero out of pocket.
Click "See Available Times" on this page, pick the section that fits your schedule, and your child's spot is secured immediately. No phone call. No placement test. No prerequisite.
Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.
In this class, students will be permitted to CHOOSE their medium of choice for each challenge. Please create a Creative STEAM kit or dedicated space with the following items: