Tinker Club

Please park in our parking deck and proceed to the lobby via the elevators or stairs.
We will provide parking tokens for free parking.

If you choose to park on the street, you will need to pay the appropriate parking meter fee.

No. You may leave the building while your child is in class. We will ask you to provide a number where you can be reached should we need to contact you.

Once you arrive, you may proceed to the check-in desk near the Ball Machine, in the lobby. Instructors will be available for sign-in by 9:15 am. They will have the sign-in sheets and parking tokens for you.

If you arrive after the students have gone to the classrooms, please check in at the ticketing counter and they will let you know where to take your child. The instructor will have the sign-in sheets and parking tokens with them in the classroom.

McWane Science Center follows the Birmingham City Public School system decisions regarding inclement weather. Home School Labs will NOT be held if Birmingham City Public Schools are closed due to weather conditions. Otherwise, classes will proceed at the normal time.

Due to limited space and instructional time, we typically do not allow parents to sit in on the lab programs. This helps to acclimate the students to a new learning environment and limit disruptions. If there are special needs to be considered, please let us know.

No. Any materials needed for the class will be provided on the first day unless otherwise requested by an individual instructor. Sometimes, parents have their own requirements about keeping notes, bringing a folder, etc., and that is perfectly acceptable.

If you would like to visit the museum while your child is in a lab, you will need to pay admission or show your membership card to enter the museum. This includes visits before and after class time.

All classes will meet at the check-in desk after class is over. You will need to sign your student out in order for the instructor to release your child. Don’t forget your token! Please respect that we have the safety of your child first in mind and allow us to get all of the children to the check-in area and accounted for BEFORE you sign them out.

No one can check your child out without your permission. If you plan on carpooling, or if you’ll have more than one adult checking your child out, please let your instructor know that on the first day of class.

Make sure they know to arrive on time and that they will need to sign themselves in and out for class. They will receive a parking token for the deck at check-out time.

No. We will not be assigning homework, taking anything for a grade, or giving any quizzes/tests in this program. Our goal is to provide science experiences for your child that will spark an interest in science and help you cover topics that may be difficult to do in a home setting. During the course of the program, your child may receive handouts that outline the material covered, resources for you and your child to explore, and/or other items the instructor finds interesting or helpful on the topic.

If possible, please let your instructor know that your child will not be attending class. While we do not offer make-up labs, we will provide you with the information sheet and be happy to discuss what was covered in that specific lab with you and your child. We do not provide refunds for individual classes missed.

We want all students to feel safe and comfortable in a fun learning environment. Parents will be notified immediately of any disruptive behavior. Parents may also be asked to attend labs with their children. If disruptive behavior continues, McWane Science Center reserves the right to ask the student not to return to the class.