This isn't your typical lab - when you join the Sandbox Lab, you'll learn the basics of Swift coding. You’ll also learn how to address emergent needs in your community through coding applications and creative ideation.

The Sandbox lab is supported by Apple through the company’s Community Education Initiative.

  • Swift Basics Participants in this 9-week program commit to two synchronous weekly meetings and are ready to sit for Swift certification at the end.

  • Everyone Can Create Join us for a fun, engaging three-week course designed to introduce students to the basics of Apple's creative software.

  • Spatial Computing Experience the future of computing with Apple Vision Pro. Thirty-minute demonstration sessions are available on a first come first serve basis.

No experience? No problem. Heading link

Everyone is welcome. Sandbox Lab participants explore the “why” behind coding applications. Our curriculum has been developed to help participants boost their career prospects, learn Swift syntax and fundamentals and stretch their creative minds. Getting involved in Sandbox programming means you’ll be joining a community of next-gen doers. Ready to dive in? 

Interested? Register today!

Upcoming Events & Programming Heading link

Feb 4 2025
cluster shapes sandbox

iOS Developer Lab

2/4/25, 4:30 pm–5/8/25, 6:00 pm
Sandbox Lab - Innovation Center
Mar 4 2025
cluster shapes sandbox

Everyone Can Create

Tuesday 4th, 3:30 pm–Monday 17th, 4:30 pm
Sandbox Lab - Innovation Center

Spring 2025 Sandbox Lab Hours Heading link

SP25 Lab Hours

The Sandbox Lab is open only when staffed for open hours or when lab sessions are being held. Each week, the lab is open for 20 hours of programming and office hours. Teaching Assistants, lab staff and faculty are here to support students, faculty and UIC community members.

  • TA Office Hours: The Lab’s teaching assistants, Arham and Mitra, are available for weekly office hours and can help lab participants on Swift coding questions, live demonstrations or tech questions.
  • Accessibility Training & Open Hours: Adero Knott, the lab’s Innovation and Accessibility Coordinator, will host weekly drop in hours for UIC community  members interested in learning how to make tech more accessible.
  • Swift 101 Course: This course is for pre-registered participants. The lab is not open to non-course related hours during these blocks.
  • Community Open Hours: Yesenia Estrada hosts weekly community open hours to create an inviting environment and facilitate community connection and collaboration.

 

Meet the Team Heading link

Fellows Bios

Muhammad Arham and Mitravinda Manjunath are the AY 24-25 Sandbox Fellows. Lab fellows deliver lab curriculum and extra help via workshops, bootcamps, office hours and 1:1 sessions.

Arham is in his first year of UIC’s Computer Science master’s program and is involved internationally in helping expand access to coding.

Mitra is in her second year of UIC’s Computer Science master’s program and is a seasoned teaching assistant.

Questions? Contact Arham or Mitra directly!

 

Community Collaborators: Yesenia and Elaine

Yesenia Estrada and Elaine Harvey are here to make lab participants feel welcome and supported. The community collaborators recruit lab participants, manage lab culture and track engagement in programming.

Yesenia is in her first year at UIC. She brings almost a decade of professional recruiting experience and a personal and professional passion for creating welcoming and equitable learning environments.

Elaine is an experienced program director with 15 years of experience in higher education programming, leadership and project management.

Questions? Contact Yesenia or Elaine directly!

University Partners Heading link