We ended our Taipei trip with a week at CIO Maker School, a program that offers project-based learning, language education, and cultural exchange. During the 5-days at camp, they each designed and built a remote control car.
CIO Maker School Location
The camp is located within Tatung University 大同大學 in Taipei’s Zhongshan District. The nearest MRT station is an 8-minute walk from campus. We rode the public bus which stops right in front of the school. It was very convenient for us. After camp, you can visit Maji Square which is a 5-minute walk, for food and activities and street performers on Friday evenings.
Classroom Environment
CIO Maker Camp is intended for older kids and is held in a standard classroom setting. As you can see in the photo below, it’s very clean. By the end of the day, it looks as if a hurricane blew through a craft shop. After the students are picked up, the teachers stay behind and clean the entire class to prepare for the next day. I wish they included students in the clean-up process!
We love CIO Maker School teachers!
In only one week, the CIO Maker School teachers fostered a strong connection with my children. On the first day of camp, my son was scared he wouldn’t make any friends. At drop-off, he was reluctant to go in and in a sour mood. I worried all day, but at pick-up, he was so excited to tell me about all the activities. We were always the last ones there because my kids wanted to stay and hang out with the teachers. It took a few days for my children to start building friendships with the other students. Sadly it was time to return to California since winter break was coming to an end. It was a memorable experience for both of my children and they keep asking to go back next year.
The teachers also offer online tutoring for families they have met through camp. The time difference between Taiwan and California doesn’t fit our schedule but it may work for other time zones. My kids would love to see their teachers again!
Daily activities at CIO Camp
On the first day of camp, my children sketched out their designs and learned about the materials and tools by building a small robot with a light-up eye. In the following days, they glued parts, learned to solder and wire their cars, and how to connect the battery pack. There’s also time for other activities such as art and play dough. Campers will spend the last day of the session completing their project playing with their creation.
Indoor Projects
Outdoor Excercise
Weather permitting, teachers will take campers to play soccer, relax at a nearby park, and visit the turtles at the campus fountain. Children who do not want to play sports can still enjoy the lawn, play tag, and hang out with their campmates.
Completed Camp Projects
Each camper conceptualizes their own designs so each creation is unique. I was impressed that everyone’s cars and robots were completely different. They were not building from a kit but from their imagination!
Did their Chinese improve?
My children attended CIO Maker School in December 2022 through Sky Kids. Many parents have asked me whether my children’s Mandarin improved. CIO Maker School is not a language program. It is intended to be a STEAM camp for children of all language levels in Mandarin and English. Students are encouraged to speak Mandarin but it is not a requirement. The teachers reported that my children were the only ones who spoke Chinese during class. My kids did learn new vocabulary from interacting with the teachers.
Because I booked the camp through Sky Kids, there were other campers from the US. When a program hosts students from overseas, it’s common for the children to speak English to each other. This is a pain point for many parents who send their children to camps during holidays. If you are seeking a fully immersive language experience I recommend booking directly with CIO Maker School during non-US holidays to avoid other English-speaking campers.
Will we return to CIO Maker Camp?
My kids enjoyed their time at camp and want to go back next year. I hope to send my kids to a camp with more local Taiwanese students so that they can improve their Chinese. As long as the camp schedules align with our school holiday, yes, my kids will be excited to attend another CIO Maker School camp!
How to Register for CIO Maker Camp
You can visit the CIO School Facebook Page for programs, camp dates, pricing, and registration or email them directly at ciomakerteam@gmail.com
Fine print: I am not affiliated with CIO Maker School in any way. These opinions are based on my children’s experience with the camp. The photos in this post were taken by the camp teachers and may be posted on their website as well.
