Synthesis Classes FAQs

Synthesis Classes are short, time-limited, live online experiences where students work together on game-based challenges. Each class centers on a particular theme, from communicating under pressure to solving a demanding team challenge. Students think, experiment, make decisions, and reflect with guidance from a Synthesis coach.

Most classes take place over a weekend. Check each listing for its schedule and participation requirements.

Classes are typically short, weekend-long experiences built around a specific theme or challenge. Camps are larger events, such as Summer Camp, with sessions spread over a longer period.

Both bring students together for live, collaborative challenges. Choose the experience that fits your child’s interests and your family’s schedule.

Classes offer a focused experience over a short period. Families can choose individual events whenever the topic and timing work for them.

Synthesis Teams is our year-round membership program for steady, long-term growth, where students build deeper skills through ongoing practice, collaboration, and reflection.

Some families enjoy occasional classes; others prefer the consistency of Teams. Both are ways to participate in Synthesis.

Yes. A beginner class can give your child a feel for Synthesis through a short experience before you consider a membership.

There’s no obligation to join Teams afterward. You’re also welcome to keep choosing classes that interest your child and fit your schedule.

Our standard classes are designed for students ages 8–14 who are comfortable communicating in English and ready to participate independently with teammates. Students should have basic computer skills, such as using a keyboard and mouse or trackpad and navigating a browser.

Your child doesn’t need to be outgoing or confident to begin. They do need to be willing to participate, try new things, and work with others.

Some classes welcome beginners; others require experience with a particular Synthesis game. Check each listing for its age and experience requirements, including any special event exceptions.

We offer several times to accommodate families around the world, so some options may fall early in the morning or late at night where you live.

Choose the times that work for your family and check the dates and times before enrolling.

Most weekend classes include two 60-minute sessions, one on each day. We recommend attending both to get the full experience. Students can also repeat any session for extra practice.

Choose from the available session times to find an option that works for your family. Check the class listing for its exact dates, session format, and schedule.

We don’t offer make-up sessions, but your child can still participate in the other session. If they miss Saturday, they’re welcome to attend Sunday, and vice versa.

Some confusion is expected at Synthesis — it’s part of figuring things out together. Your child doesn’t need to have everything understood before joining in. We encourage students to ask questions and share their thinking, and coaches and teammates can help them get oriented.

No. Students will usually work with different teammates across sessions. This is intentional and part of the experience. Working with a variety of teammates from around the world helps kids practice collaborating with different personalities, perspectives, and communication styles.

Synthesis coaches are trained facilitators who guide sessions and help create a supportive, engaging environment. They don’t lecture or give step-by-step answers.

During sessions, coaches:

• Keep things running smoothly
• Clarify instructions when needed
• Challenge students to think deeply
• Support students or teams who need help getting unstuck

We design Synthesis classes to be student-led because the skills students are practicing — working in groups, communicating clearly, making decisions together — can’t really be learned by listening to a lecture. They’re learned by doing.

Coaches support from the background, but students do the thinking and collaborating themselves.

Yes. All classes are recorded for safety and quality assurance. These recordings are never shared outside our company and are not made available to families or students, in order to protect student privacy and comply with child safety and privacy regulations.

We encourage students to work independently during classes. Having their own space to think, speak up, and work with teammates helps them build confidence and practice real collaboration — one of the most important skills students practice at Synthesis.

For safety and privacy reasons, classes may not be recorded, photographed, streamed, or shared in any way. Classes are recorded internally by Synthesis for safety and quality purposes only.

Title + description	Type of game	Primary skillset
Constellation: space chess. The game that started it all.	spatial strategy	coordination, experimentation
Batteries Not Included: build a system that outlasts the competition.	tower defense	persistence, optimization
Polis: create a fictional civilization in ancient Greece.	supply chain	long-term planning, role clarity
Ducks Amok: a card game, but with a twist or three.	resource management	sequencing, negotiation
Proxima: a game about the silence of deep space.	limited-vision exploration	adaptation, mistake recovery
Hyperball: a futuristic variation of traditional soccer	offense-defense	rapid communication, fast-paced decision-making

It depends.

Some classes are designed for students who are new to the featured game, while others build on previous experience with that game. Classes marked “Open to all” welcome students at any game experience level.

Experience is specific to each game. Your child may be ready for an advanced Polis challenge while still being a beginner in Hyperball. Check the requirements on each class listing before enrolling.

We want every student to have the right starting point for the challenge.

Beginner classes give students space to discover an unfamiliar game together.

Advanced and expert classes build on that familiarity, so students can focus on more demanding scenarios and teamwork.

Prerequisites help teammates start with enough shared experience to contribute and enjoy the challenge together.

For classes, “new” means new to the game featured in that class. These experiences are designed for students who have little or no experience with that particular game.

Your child may have attended Synthesis before and still qualify for a beginner class. For example, a student who knows Polis well but hasn’t played Hyperball can be a beginner in Hyperball.

Advanced and expert classes are designed for students who have built familiarity with the featured game through active participation in previous Synthesis sessions.

Simply having a Synthesis account, or having played a different Synthesis game, doesn’t establish readiness for these challenges. What matters is your child’s experience with the game used in that class.

Start with the experience requirements in the class listing. Beginner classes are for students with little or no experience in the featured game; advanced or expert classes require familiarity gained through previous Synthesis sessions.

If you’re unsure which class is the right fit, email teams@synthesis.com. We can help you check your child’s experience and find an appropriate option.

Yes, if each child meets that class’s requirements. Eligibility is checked for each student individually, including students enrolled on a family plan.

If one child is ready for an advanced challenge and another is new to that game, they may need different classes. An “Open to all” event may be a good option for joining together.

For the best experience, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer that meets our minimum technical requirements. iPads are also supported using our official app.

Phones and Android devices are not supported.

Before class starts, please check that your device meets our minimum specs. You can find the full, up-to-date details here: Minimum Tech Specs.

• Webcam (required): Built-in or external is fine, as long as your child can be seen clearly.
• Microphone (required): Built-in or external is fine, as long as your child can be heard clearly.
• Headset (strongly recommended): Helps reduce background noise and makes it easier to hear and be heard.
• Mouse (recommended): Trackpads work, but some students find a mouse easier for precise control.
• iPad stand or case (if using an iPad): Keeps the device stable and in landscape mode for comfortable participation.

For a smooth start, please check the following:

• Your device meets our minimum technical requirements
• Your internet connection is stable and meets our speed requirements
• Your camera and microphone are working properly
• You’ve granted the browser permission to use the camera and microphone
• You can access your account without connection issues (in some locations, a VPN may be needed due to local internet restrictions)

We’ll guide you through a simple device check as part of the pre-class setup to help make sure everything is ready to go.

Testing your setup ahead of time is the best way to avoid issues, but occasional hiccups won’t derail the experience. If you run into trouble, press the Help button for live troubleshooting assistance from our Tech Support team. (It’s the white question mark in the top right corner of the classroom).

Collaborative problem-solving isn’t mastered in a weekend. The aim is to spark continued interest in learning.

The best place to start is a conversation with your child. Ask what challenged them, how their team approached the problem, and what they would try differently next time.

A class gives students a short, focused opportunity to practice thinking and working with others. Their ideas, decisions, and reflections can offer insight into how they approach challenges.

A class is a focused opportunity to practice, explore, and take on a challenge with others. Students may discover a new strategy, try a different way of communicating, or learn something about how they respond when a problem gets difficult.

Lasting growth develops through practice over time. A single class can be a valuable experience on its own, and families can return for more classes or explore Teams for ongoing participation.

Your enrollment covers that class, with no obligation to continue. You can browse upcoming classes for another experience your child might enjoy.

As students gain experience with different Synthesis games, they may qualify for classes that build on that familiarity. If your family is interested in ongoing weekly participation, you can also explore Synthesis Teams.

Look for another class that interests them. They might try a beginner class featuring a different game or, once they have enough experience, take on a more advanced challenge in a game they know.

For families who want a regular weekly experience, Synthesis Teams is another option. Choose what works for your child and your schedule.

Each child needs their own student profile under your parent account. This lets us keep each student’s experience history separate and check that they meet the requirements for the class they’re joining.

If you’re enrolling siblings in the same class, a family plan is available. Each child must meet that class’s age and experience requirements.

Classes and Teams are separate enrollments with different schedules and formats. If you’d like to change an enrollment, email teams@synthesis.com so we can help you understand your options.

Email teams@synthesis.com with the class name and your child’s details. We’ll help you check the requirements and work through the available options.

Yes. Our multi-class discount is available when you purchase three or more classes. You can choose any combination of individual and family plans. Each student must meet the requirements for each class.

The discount may vary. Check the current offer for the available savings and any applicable terms.