schools, colleges and communities

Our programmes. Learning by making.

Hands-on design and engineering with bamboo, for schools, colleges and youth groups. Five programmes, from a one-hour taster to a two-day build. Here is what each one is, who it suits and what young people get out of it.

See the programmes Talk to us about your group

Young people building a bamboo balance bike together on a table covered in drawings
Photo: young people building a balance bike together.

Five programmes. Start small, or build a pathway.

Each programme works alone or as part of a longer pathway. We agree the format and the price with you.

  1. 01

    Speaker session

    Taster

    Up to 30 · 1–2 hours

    What they do
    Make a bamboo speaker for your phone: a first, hands-on step into design.
    Who it suits
    Any group new to hands-on making, including young people who have not enjoyed school.
    What they get out of it
    A speaker they made themselves, and a first taste of designing and making.

  2. 02

    Balance bike build

    Accessible learning

    Teams of 3–5, up to 30 · 3–6 hours

    What they do
    Teams build a real bamboo balance bike with hand tools and drawings.
    Who it suits
    Groups who learn best by doing, working in small teams.
    What they get out of it
    Teamwork, problem-solving and reading technical drawings, with a finished bike built as a team.

  3. 03

    Enterprise

    Business skills

    Up to 30 · 5 hours

    What they do
    Create, cost, brand and pitch a bike business around a real product.
    Who it suits
    Students interested in business, enterprise or design.
    What they get out of it
    A costed, branded business idea, pitched to the group, and the confidence to present it.

  4. 04

    E-bike build

    STEM

    Teams of 4, up to 16 · 1–2 days

    What they do
    Build and test electric drivetrains: motors, batteries, sensors and controllers.
    Who it suits
    STEM groups ready for electrics and testing.
    What they get out of it
    Hands-on electrical and mechanical engineering, tested on a real drivetrain.

  5. 05

    AI and 3D printing

    Future-ready

    Teams, up to 30 · 1–2 days

    What they do
    Design a real bike part with AI and CAD, then 3D print it.
    Who it suits
    Design and technology students ready for CAD, often after a build.
    What they get out of it
    A bike part they designed and printed themselves, and skills in CAD and digital making.

Typical group sizes and times. From a 45-minute lesson to a programme over several days.

Who our programmes suit. No experience needed.

  • Schools and colleges

    Curriculum lessons, STEM and enrichment days, and design and technology, fitted around your timetable.

  • Young people outside mainstream school

    Short, hands-on sessions with something to show, for young people with learning difficulties or bad experiences of school, in clear steps.

  • Youth and community groups

    Sessions that can be led by the local leaders and mentors young people already know, with our support.

What young people get out of it.

  • Practical skills

    Using tools and materials, reading drawings, and how structures, design and manufacture fit together.

  • Confidence

    Problem-solving, teamwork and the achievement of finishing something real.

  • Future skills

    STEM, sustainable materials, 3D printing and digital making.

The evidence. From our sessions.

27

young people built bamboo bikes at Project Zero in Waltham Forest, with ratings that regularly reached 9–10/10

Read the case study

22

universities and schools have built with us: 13 universities and 9 schools

2014

working with schools since

“Building the bike.” · “Making it.” · “Learning how to assemble.”

What young people enjoyed most, Project Zero, Walthamstow, February 2026

Learning, not credits: school and youth activities build practical skills through making. They do not include OCN credits.

How it runs. Run by us, or by your staff.

  • Delivered by us

    Our instructors bring the bamboo, tools and kit, and run each session with your group.

  • Or by your own staff

    Trained local staff teach from our instructor app, with lesson plans, slides, films and workbooks for every session.

  • Safeguarding

    Safeguarding policy in place. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is fully DBS-checked and cleared for prison work.

Book a discovery call.

Tell us your setting, your learners and the programme you are interested in. We’ll plan the rest with you.

Talk to us about your group info@bamboobicycleclub.org

free to follow

watch the balance bike build, start to finish

Watch the balance-bike build process. For a school or youth activity, agree the tasks, supervision and intended build stage with the delivery team. The tutorial does not establish suitability for riding or OCN credits.