{"id":14895,"date":"2026-07-23T06:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=14895"},"modified":"2026-07-22T16:44:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T21:44:55","slug":"american-center-offers-now-free-tech-workshops-for-teens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/politics-government\/american-center-offers-now-free-tech-workshops-for-teens\/","title":{"rendered":"American Center Offers Now Free Tech Workshops for Teens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A teenager adjusts a virtual reality headset while another configures a 3D printer in a brightly painted room at the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ciudad_del_Saber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge)<\/a>. This is the scene at the newly inaugurated Rinc\u00f3n ClubHouse, a space designed to turn curious kids into tech creators. The facility opened its doors on July 15, 2026, marking the ninth such club in Panama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. Embassy in Panama teamed up with <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Secretaria_Nacional_de_Ciencia_y_Tecnologia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SENACYT (National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation)<\/a> to launch the program at the Panama <strong>American Center<\/strong>. Young people aged 12 to 17 can now access free workshops in coding, robotics, digital design, and multimedia production. The space runs on a simple idea: let kids follow their interests while mentors guide them through hands-on projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d7881.3917481384415!2d-79.59339387568174!3d9.00010667203539!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8faca7b0a46a3bd1%3A0x93b801d16c74cc5c!2sCity%20of%20Knowledge%2C%20Panama%20City%2C%20Panam%C3%A1%20Province!5e0!3m2!1sen!2spa!4v1784756463410!5m2!1sen!2spa\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He stood between representatives from SENACYT and Ciudad del Saber as they snipped the red ribbon. The ambassador made clear that this investment goes beyond gadgets and software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8216;Today&#8217;s inauguration is about investing in the most important resource any country has, its people&#8217; [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cabrera emphasized that the United States wants to work with trusted partners to expand STEAM education. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The goal is to prepare young Panamanians for tomorrow&#8217;s job market. Skills in artificial intelligence, coding, and engineering will become increasingly valuable, he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-cabrera-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Kevin Cabrera Launch Rinco\u0301n Clubhouse at the Panama American Center by US Embassy PA\" class=\"wp-image-14893\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-cabrera-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-cabrera-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-cabrera-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-cabrera-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-cabrera-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-cabrera-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kevin Cabrera Launch Rinco\u0301n Clubhouse at the Panama American Center by US Embassy PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. Embassy contributed nearly $15,000 worth of equipment to get the club running. The shipment included high-performance laptops, gaming computers, professional cameras, and podcast production gear. A virtual reality headset and other makerspace technology also made the list. The Embassy covers the Panama <strong>American Center<\/strong>&#8216;s operations, personnel, facilities, internet, and utilities through a partnership with the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Clubhouse_Network\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clubhouse Network<\/a> model originated in the United States. Boston&#8217;s Computer Museum and the MIT Media Lab first launched the concept. Participants design projects based on their own interests. They work with mentors to develop technical, creative, collaborative, and leadership skills. Panama now has nine such clubs across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new ClubHouse will offer at least 20 hours of free public programming each week. Students can explore coding, robotics, digital design, 3D printing, electronics, sublimation, and virtual reality. The space also supports multimedia production, giving teens tools to create their own content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since opening in 2024, the <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/technology\/panama-city-lets-residents-track-tax-spending-with-qr-codes\/\" rel=\"internal\">Panama <strong>American Center<\/strong><\/a> has become a busy hub for English language learning, entrepreneurship, and educational exchange. Thousands of Panamanians pass through its doors each year for workshops and training. The addition of the Rinc\u00f3n ClubHouse strengthens the Center&#8217;s role as a launchpad for innovation and workforce development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/education-usa-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Education USA Launch Rinco\u0301n Clubhouse at the Panama American Center by US Embassy PA\" class=\"wp-image-14892\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/education-usa-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/education-usa-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/education-usa-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/education-usa-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/education-usa-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/education-usa-launch-rincon-clubhouse-at-the-panama-american-center-by-us-embassy-pa-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Education USA Launch Rinco\u0301n Clubhouse at the Panama American Center by US Embassy PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Panama faces a growing demand for skilled technology workers. Companies looking to build secure supply chains and trusted technology ecosystems need trained talent. The United States sees this partnership as a way to strengthen its own economic and technological competitiveness while helping Panama develop its workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a tour of the new facility, a young participant showed Ambassador Cabrera and a SENACYT representative a technology project. The student explained how the club&#8217;s equipment helped bring the idea to life. Moments like these highlight the program&#8217;s core mission: giving young people the tools to build their own futures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rinc\u00f3n ClubHouse joins a network of similar spaces worldwide. Each club adapts the model to local needs while keeping the same philosophy. Kids learn by doing. They fail, try again, and eventually create something that matters to them. That process builds more than technical skills, it builds confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Panama&#8217;s next generation of innovators, this new space at the Panama <strong>American Center<\/strong> represents an opportunity. The equipment, the mentors, and the free programming remove barriers that often keep talented young people from exploring technology. Now the question is how many will walk through the door and discover what they can create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Da1PHLaDGjj\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Da1PHLaDGjj\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Da1PHLaDGjj\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by U.S. Embassy Panama (@usembpan)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A teenager adjusts a virtual reality headset while another configures a 3D printer in a brightly painted room at the Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge). This is the scene at the newly inaugurated Rinc\u00f3n ClubHouse, a space designed to turn curious kids into tech creators. The facility opened its doors on July 15, 2026,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14894,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[29,28,87,36],"tags":[5506,50,5507],"class_list":["post-14895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-politics-government","category-news","category-featured","category-investments","tag-american-center","tag-panama","tag-steam-education"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14895","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14895"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14895\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14897,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14895\/revisions\/14897"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}