Glitch’n is a community-driven informal learning initiative that trains teens and young adults to teach others about electronics through circuit bending — a creative, arts-based approach to exploring circuitry.

At the core of Glitch’n is the belief that we can cement fresh skillsets when we learn how to communicate that knowledge to others. Our program equips teens and young adults with both technical and creative skills, then supports them through paid, short-term internships where they co-lead pop-up circuit workshops in unexpected public spaces. For these students, Glitch’n becomes a credential, a job experience, and a source of creative inspiration and technical skills related to understanding semiconductors (e.g., diodes and transistors), basic circuit design, and more advanced topics like digital signal processing.

Our public learning spaces are intentionally designed around the HOMAGO model — Hang Out (watching circuits being constructed), Mess Around (playing with circuits), Geek Out (building circuits from scratch and conceptual exploration) — to support varying levels of engagement. This naturally scaffolds more intensive modes of engagement, encouraging tinkering, embrace of mistakes, and collaboration.

Glitch’n aspires to create self-sustaining “community circuit” where multiple annual cohorts of participants host public workshops that build community visibility, inspire new learners, and recruit the next group of teachers, as students progress from course participants, to pop-up interns, to course teachers. This learning-by-teaching (LbT) model builds a sustainable, scalable learning ecosystem grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and creativity.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona — a national hub for microelectronics and semiconductors with major players like Intel, NXP, and TSMC — Glitch’n also introduces young people to future career pathways in one of the world’s most critical tech industries.

Glitch’n is funded by the National Science Foundation but actively seeks industry partnerships. We hope you’ll consider supporting this grassroots community initiative..

- Prof. Seth Thorn, PhD, Principal Investigator