Glitch’n is a community-driven education initiative that trains teens and young adults to teach others about electronics through circuit bending — a creative, arts-based approach to exploring circuitry. Funded initially by the National Science Foundation, we are actively seeking additional partners to help us grow.

At the core of Glitch’n is the belief that you only truly learn something when you teach it. Our program equips teens and young adults with both technical and creative skills, then supports them in leading pop-up circuit workshops in unexpected public spaces. These events welcome participants of all ages and backgrounds, creating intergenerational learning environments where teens and retired engineers alike gather around the same low-cost components to experiment and imagine together — and we’re often surprised by the deep, often hidden skills that already exist in our communities.

Our public learning spaces are intentionally designed around the HOMAGO model — Hang Out, Mess Around, Geek Out — to support varying levels of engagement. Participants might begin by “hanging out” on the periphery, exploring a curious circuit or sound-making toy. Others move toward a “messing around” zone, where they can tinker, plug things in, make mistakes, and collaborate. For those ready to dive deeper, the “geeking out” table invites richer conversations, hands-on explanations, and more advanced conceptual exploration — all guided by peers.

We focus on CMOS 4000 series chips — incredibly inexpensive, resilient building blocks of electronics that have remained unchanged since the 1970s. Their longevity makes them a perfect tool for connecting generations: older participants bring deep historical knowledge, while younger learners bring fresh creative energy. Both are essential.

Glitch’n is designed to bootstrap itself: each trained cohort runs public workshops that build community visibility, inspire new learners, and recruit the next group of teachers. This teach-to-teach 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.