mlabPASS: youth

See the programs, spaces and people of mlabPASS at the:

mlabPASS Open House
Saturday, September 19
1:00 – 4:00 pm

What is mlabPASS?

MlabPASS is a yearly pass that unlocks more than 200 hours of afterschool and weekend programs at MuseumLab for youth in grades 6-8.

Programs includes 101 sessions, open studio time, intensives, Pizza+ events, Creative Connections artist programs, and Youth Nights. 

Passholders receive free admission to all youth programs.  

Cost:

$95 per year

*To inquire about needs-based scholarships, please contact Sarah La Rue at slarue@pittsburghkids.org.

MlabPASS holders receive free admission to these programs:

101 Sessions

101s allow pass holders to try out new tools, materials and processes to build skills such as machine sewing, wood burning and making chain mail. They are a recommended pre-requisite for certain intensives. 

• mlabPASS holders: FREE
  All other youth in grades 6-8: $7

Intensives

Intensives are cumulative sessions built around a theme or discipline, made up of 7-8 sessions over 4 weeks, Tuesdays and Thursdays. They follow skill building sessions (101s) and let participants stack  skills as they work on one or several self-designed projects over the course of the 7-8 sessions.

• Tuesdays and Thursdays over 4 weeks
• Open only to mlabPASS holders, no fee

Intensives that fall in the same month as a Youth Night or a holiday will only have 7 sessions. 

Open Studio

Open Studio time is for when participants have completed an Intensive course and are looking for time to use the tools and materials to work on a self-designed project or finish a project started during the Intensive.

• Open only to mlabPASS holders who have completed the relevant Intensive, no fee

Brick Club

Neurodivergent youth in grades 6-8 can have fun, strengthen communication and social skills, and boost their confidence through collaborative LEGO® building.

• Offered Sundays from 10/4/2026 – 11/8/2026 (6 sessions)
  10:00 – 11:30 am
• Open only to mlabPASS holders

Pizza+

An evening event featuring a workshop and pizza dinner. This is a great time to bring a friend to try a program at MuseumLab!

• mlabPASS: Free
  All other youth in grades 6-8: $10

Creative Connections

This artist program connects  mlabPASS with the museum’s adult Creatives Membership to give youth access to mentoring and insight into creative careers. 

• Held Monthly on a Wednesday
• mlabPASS holders: FREE
  All others: $7

Youth Nights

 Youth Night is a big party featuring games, prizes, arts and making activities, snacks and socializing! Another great time to bring a friend to try a program at MuseumLab.

• Two per year
• mlabPASS holders: Free
  All others youth in grades 6-8: $10 

Weekend Workshops

These 90-minute workshops invite youth ages 9+ and adults to take a deep dive into hands-on art and making processes such as papermaking, wire sculpture and pewter casting.

• mlabPASS: Free
  Museum Members: $7.50
  All others: $15 

Note: Pass holders must register for each program that they want to attend via museumlab.org/calendar.  Walk-up registration is available for 101s, Pizza+, Creative Connections, Youth Nights and Weekend Workshops. 

OTHER BENEFITS

Gymlacium

Pass holders who visit MuseumLab during public weekend hours receive FREE access to Gymlacium, our three-story interactive sculpture for climbing and exploring. Just reserve your spot in person at the MuseumLab Admissions desk.  Space is limited. A parent or guardian must be in attendance.

Camp Discounts 

MlabPASS holders receive a 10% discount on summer camps at MuseumLab. 

School Year Schedule

Starts September 15, 2026

101 Sessions or Intensive Courses
Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
3:30 – 5:30 pm
Check the Calendar of Events for details

Brick Club
Sundays from October 4 – November 8, 2026 (6 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 am

Creative Connections
Select Wednesdays
4:00 – 6:00 pm 

Youth Nights, 4:00 – 7:00 pm on these dates:
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, February 18

Youth Nights take the place of regular Thursday 101 sessions on these dates.  

Pizza+ Events
Select dates throughout the year
4:00 – 7:00 pm

Can my child check themself in? 

During the registration process, parents and guardians can choose the option for self check-in/checkout, which allows their child to check in and out without a parent. 

Can I drop my child off during MuseumLab open hours? 

Children can only be dropped off when registered for a program.  

It’s simple for your middle schooler to start using mlabPASS!

Purchase online here

or

Purchase in-person at MuseumLab

Once your child becomes a passholder, you may sign them up for as many sessions and events as they like at one time. Drop-ins are allowable but signing up allows us to prepare supplies and programs in advance.

Register for upcoming sessions and events!

If you need assistance, please contact members@pittsburghkids.org.

MLabPASS holders may sign up for as many sessions as they like at one time. MlabPASS holders may only be dropped off without an adult when they are registered for a scheduled youth program. Be sure to pre-register online or in person at the MuseumLab desk.

For more information about mlabPASS, please contact slarue@pittsburghkids.org.