3D Printing STEAM Enrichment for portland kids

3rd to 8th graders design, engineer, and bring their ideas to life through 3D printing with PDX MiniMakers: where science, technology, engineering, arts, and math aren't separate subjects, they're just Tuesday afternoon

“I used to dread Mondays because it meant the start of a new school week, but now I’m excited for them because of 3D printing!”

~ Maxwell, Student (Age 11)
Did You Know?
3D printers can make prosthetic hands for kids at a fraction of hospital costs. Student groups worldwide design and print these devices, showing how engineering skills can directly help others in their community.

About Us

Hello Portland Community!

We’re PDX MiniMakers, a hands-on after-school enrichment program where Portland 3rd-8th grade students explore engineering, design, and problem-solving through 3D printing.

We believe every child should have access to creative, cutting-edge learning and tools that fuel their future.

Register now for early winter!

At our 3D printing workshops, students will:

Learn how 3D printers, software, and tools work

Design, engineer, and print their own 3D models

Build creativity, pride, and self-confidence skills

Take home what they create (all materials included!)

loved by parents and students alike

"My 4th grader loves this class! The teachers are patient and kind and have lots of fun activities. So happy we found it!"

— Rebecca H, Parent (Google Review)

"I used to dread Mondays because it meant the start of a new school week, but now I’m excited for them because of 3D printing!”

— Maxwell, Student (6th grader)

“It’s the only class I like!”

— Jed, Student (5th grader)

Our Programs

After School Enrichment

Fall Registration is now open, register soon as seats will be limited!

Registration is open!

Birthdays & Events

Tired of the bounce houses and want a more memorable birthday or special event?

Book Us

Meet our Instructors

Marney andersen

Marney has over 20 years of experience leading programs, leveraging technology, and mentoring teams.
Marney has been a Girl Scout Troop Leader for the better part of a decade. This opportunity has allowed her to lead hands-on education programs while also mentoring children in leadership, outdoor skills, STEM, and entrepreneurship. Her goal is to foster confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Additionally, she has a strong background in operations, project management, and technology implementation: she has deep experience in translating complex systems and processes into easy-to-understand language and ideas. Her experience onboarding clients to technology systems, training diverse groups, and creating clear, step-by-step learning materials translates into supporting students with digital tools, STEM activities, and structured enrichment programs. Marney excels at creating structured, engaging environments where young learners can thrive.
With a career in tech and a passion for working with children, Marney brings a unique blend of structure, creativity, and technological fluency. She is committed to creating safe, engaging, and tech-forward experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage creativity, and help children build skills for the future.

Scott DeMay

Scott is an engineer, musician, and lifelong learner with a passion for hands-on problem solving, creativity, and making.
His experience as a mechanical engineer includes prototyping, robotics, manufacturing, and 3D printing. He enjoys experimenting, troubleshooting, and turning ideas into tangible solutions, and sees 3D printing as an exciting way to help kids develop those same skills.
With many years of experience teaching and mentoring children and teens through music education, Scott also understands the value of encouraging curiosity and creativity. Sharing practical skills and helping young people discover the satisfaction of creating something themselves.

Yenly Ma

Yenly is a maker of functional art and a collector of DIY projects. She wants to make all the things!
Yenly has worked as a software engineer for over 20 years in corporations, early-stage to mid-size startups, and a nonprofit organization. She deeply cares about user experiences and mostly focuses on building delightful and functional user interfaces for web applications. She volunteered for a nonprofit mentoring early-career developers in effective software team collaboration.
Yenly went to her first SF Bay Area Maker Faire in 2007 and fell in love with the maker movement. She remembers returning each year, chatting with makers and being inspired. Coincidentally also in 2007, she enrolled in her first pottery class and has been honing her wheel throwing skills ever since. She loves the meditative vibe of having her hands immersed in clay while the creative juices are flowing in her brain. It brings her joy to see people use her ceramic vessels.
Yenly is a mom to a curious 2nd grader who loves numbers and building things. When not making things together, they love to go camping and explore. Yenly is excited to dive into the world of 3D printing and seeing what the younger generation will build.

Carrissa Mora

Carrissa has dedicated her life to working with children and exploring creative technology, blending a strong foundation in developmental psychology with a diverse technical background.
Over the years, she has built an extensive skill set that includes professional photography, digital photo editing, and web design- including building and managing the website for her college honors society.
Drawing on her extensive experience as a former teacher assistant, homeschool teacher, after-school program and Girl Scout leader, Carrissa naturally understands how children learn, play, and problem-solve at different developmental stages. She is also deeply invested in supporting local youth as an active PTA member and dedicated school volunteer.
As a 3D Printing Demonstration Specialist for Bambu Lab, Carrissa performed live demonstrations. Using the P1S with AMS, she regularly created printed models for Best Buy customers and trained retail teams. As a creative entrepreneur, Carrissa runs her own small business designing and manufacturing articulated dragons and 3D-printed toys.
A proud mother of two (including a 4th grader!) Carrissa is thrilled to bring her unique blend of childcare experience, technical expertise, and artistic design to the classroom to inspire the next generation of MiniMakers to bring their biggest ideas to life.

Adam Loewen

Born and raised in Missoula, Adam studied economics and liberal arts at University of Montana while also pursuing pop music and comedy filmmaking.
A self-taught coder, Adam created applications and web sites in the business world while also teaching music lessons and classes in the Portland area. At present, Adam works as a voice actor, and offers education, coaching, and books about a philosophical framework called Integral Theory. Outside of work, Adam enjoys yoga, meditation, dance, and of course, the remarkable landscapes and lifeforms of the Pacific Northwest.
Adam takes great pride in making a lasting impression on youthful, developing minds. STEM skills contribute to problem solving and logical reasoning that will be brought into all areas of life. As the world seems to change faster and faster, it remains essential that leadership is grounded in solid fundamentals. Nothing beats a hands-on experience where students directly experience the development of creative decisions and outcomes as physical objects they can play with.

Micah Jennings

Micah joined the MiniMakers team because he loves teaching and has a passion for 3D modeling and printing.
He has worked in childcare for almost a decade, from teaching elementary swim lessons to working in teen rehabilitation centers, and has always loved having the opportunity to teach and mentor future generations. Micah is also currently working toward a degree in Architecture, where he’s found a particular love for 3D modeling and design. He finds something so special about taking an idea and turning it into something real, which is why getting the opportunity to teach 3D modeling at MiniMakers is a dream come true!

Everett Staley

Everett has been a maker their whole life.
One childhood birthday gift was a set of tools and a workbench in the garage with "Everett's Shop" painted on the wall. From there, Everett has gained experience in a multitude of hands-on skills– some professionally, and more while working on projects with friends and family. From helping with home renovations and DIY projects to assisting with the construction of a straw bale and cob house in the Mojave. From trade school learning stringed instrument construction and repair, and lately wooden boats– they've discovered that their favorite way to learn and utilize creativity and constructive skills is collaboratively.
With their degree in Digital Information Technology, Everett finally got a chance to jump into 3D printing. First as a hobbyist, and then professionally while running the Makerspace in a Portland High School. There, they learned, experimented, taught, and eventually fell in love with the way Computer Aided Design programs and an affordable machine printing recycled plastic on one's desktop could allow anyone to make anything.
Today, Everett has plenty of projects and is always learning new skills and ways to make, modify, or repair things. What they are most excited about, though, is when someone else has an idea they really want to try, and Everett gets to help figure it out.

Margaret Klement

Margaret has been working in education since 2013.
Starting as an early childhood educator, she moved to Portland Public Schools in 2016. In 2019 Margaret earned her Master’s degree in Teaching and currently works as a substitute teacher for grades K-8. Margaret is also a working artist, with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. She paints murals, works in textiles, and does design work.
Margaret enjoys bringing artistic creativity to classrooms, encouraging students to enjoy the process; experiment, make mistakes, and think outside the box. She is passionate about project-based learning and STEAM activities, believing the blending of artistic and technical skills fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Hear From Our Makers

“This class is super fun and I hope the school keeps offering it next quarter. [It’s] like cotton candy because it is a beautiful shade of red and pink and green and it tastes fun and sugary...”
~ Audrey (4th Grader)
“I use design software (Tinkercad) more outside of this class, now. This class is pretty cool.”
~ Luc (7th Grader)
“You can do pretty much anything.”
~ Eitan (5th Grader)
“I made the best top ever. It has holes in it. ... I think it's pretty fun because I'm with my friends.”
~ Malcom (5th Grader)
“It’s the only class I like!”
~ Jed (5th Grader)
“My favorite things about this class is designing things, and I like how helpful the people are.”
~ Alden (5th Grader)
“I like my amulet because it represents my identity.”
~ Stella (4th Grader)
“I had fun making the amulet!”
~ 6th grader
“I feel like it's cool to make stuff. It's nice to know I did something.”
~ Ari S (6th Grader)
“The top was my favorite. I love printing fidgets because they're satisfying.”
~ 5th Grader

No experience needed! All of our camps and after school workshops are beginner-friendly, and every week starts with the basics so kids can jump in confidently no matter where they start.
Please find our refund/cancellation policy here.
All PDX MiniMakers workshops are facilitated by our staff and proper use of materials is demonstrated and monitored to mitigate risk. A first aid kit is available in cases of emergency.
Additionally, all employees at PDX MiniMakers are required to pass a comprehensive background check before joining our team. We prioritize your child’s well-being and and safety and strive to create a secure and nurturing environment.

We maintain an 8:1 student to instructor ratio so every student receives hands-on guidance and support.
Since this is an indoor program, weather shouldn’t be an issue.
YES! Please inquire at contact@pdxminimakers.com to see how we might help make enrollment possible for your child.
We offer 1-2 scholarships for every 10 signed-up students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Found here
Yes, the program is in a nut-free facility and we provide 2 nut-free snacks!
We strive to have a maximum of an 8:1 student to instructor ratio.
This is an indoor program, so the rain shouldn’t affect us :)
YES! Accessibility is very important to us and we do provide needs-based scholarships. Please inquire at contact@pdxminimakers.com.

We offer 1-2 scholarships for every 10 students.

Read Our Full FAQ