3D Printing STEAM Enrichment for portland kids
From after school enrichment to summer camps, PDX MiniMakers weaves Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math into one unforgettable experience.
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.
See our current partnered schools for Spring Quarter!
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 (Age 11)“Of all the afterschool programs I’ve seen, this one stands out as a gem.”
— Ms. D, Educator (10+ years)Our Programs
Spring After School Sessions
Spring Quarter is here, and our after school sessions follow right after your students’ normal school schedule.
Summer Camp
Registration is now open for our weekly Summer Camp sessions! Choose 1 week, or multiple for 10% off!
Birthdays & Events
Tired of the bounce houses and want a more memorable birthday or special event? Book us for your own 3D Printing experience!
Summer Camp
Registration now Open
Spots are limited to ensure quality, hands-on instruction.
Register now to secure your child’s spot!
Meet Our Instuctors
Matthew Thogerson
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Matt is a maker, tinkerer, and creative problem-solver with a deep enthusiasm for hands-on learning.
He first got into 3D printing while designing a tabletop war game, and quickly discovered how powerful digital fabrication can be as a learning tool. Today, he uses 3D printing for everything from tabletop gaming and costuming to practical problem-solving around the house.
Matt has a strong passion for working with kids and helping them build confidence through creativity. He believes the best learning happens when curiosity leads and mistakes are treated as part of the process. At PDX MiniMakers, he enjoys helping students turn ideas into physical objects while learning how tools, technology, and imagination intersect.
He’s excited to be part of a community that encourages experimentation, critical thinking, and joyful making.
Audrey Saing
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Audrey is a designer and researcher committed to collective liberation through design justice. She's excited to teach at PDX MiniMakers! Currently working as an apparel development and design assistant in Portland, Audrey recently graduated with a BFA in Product Design from the University of Oregon. Her honors college thesis on female-centric soccer gear combined her interests in social justice, science, and design. Audrey enjoys playing soccer, weaving and knitting, trying new fruits, cooking, and taking midnight mindfulness walks.
Josh Dunne
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Lifelong learner and tinkerer. Experienced mentor, educator, and creative problem solver.
Josh moved to Portland with his family in December 2019. His children have attended Abernethy, Hosford and Cleveland schools. Josh is also a volunteer for the Cleveland Weekend Warriors cleanup program. Prior to moving to Portland Josh was a Radiology PACS Administrator for UK Healthcare supporting highly complex diagnostic imaging applications and modalities. His background as a PACS Administrator was a perfect foundation for understanding 3D printing software and technologies. While in Kentucky Josh also enjoyed being an assistant coach with the elementary school cross country team.
Josh is a voracious learner and is constantly seeking out new technologies, modalities, mediums and workflows that he incorporates into a variety of hobbies. In his free time Josh loves to create custom DnD miniatures and is always working to improve his painting skills on them once complete. Josh also uses 3D printing technology to create a variety of different types of art, jewelry and other novelties that incorporate a range of mediums and workflows.
Josh is super excited about the opportunities that 3D printing provides young, inventive minds. He strives to provide a safe and collaborative environment that encourages fun and creative problem solving.
STEPHEN Yamasaki
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Stephen enjoys teaching and ideating with both fun and direction in mind.
Legos and other modular toys were the beginning to a lifetime of enjoying tinkering and solving problems. Whether it's creating instrumented bottle rockets, mini battle bots, or 3D printed sushi, Stephen is along for the ride! Functional prints using mechanical pieces, gift making, or just the right adaptor for an AC unit allow for a blend of art and engineering.
He believes in the power of combining play and learning. Leadership in Boy Scouts taught him that the best way to learn is by creating meaning through activity. He's always looked for creative and off-the-wall solutions to problems, and enjoys helping others with that process. When he's not teaching, he's social swing dancing, rock climbing, and video game developing.
Stephen has already been inspired and energized by seeing the creations of students so far, and believes everyone has a unique perspective that can make the world more fun.
Everett Staley
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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.
Spring sessions
start April 7th
Spots are limited to ensure quality, hands-on instruction.
Register now to secure your child’s spot!
Hear From Our Makers
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![4th grade girl with blonde hair smiling as she holds up a blue 3D printed disk with a name on it]()
“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) -
![Grid of many diverse cartoon avatars of children]()
“I use design software (Tinkercad) more outside of this class, now. This class is pretty cool.”
~ Luc (7th Grader) -
![5th grade boy with plaid orange shirt and blonde hair looking at a laptop screen with a slight smile on his face]()
“You can do pretty much anything.”
~ Eitan (5th Grader) -
![Grid of many diverse cartoon avatars of children]()
“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) -
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“I have a buncha friends in the class that I like talking to. I thought my design was good.”
~ Avery (5th Grader) -
![Grid of many diverse cartoon avatars of children]()
“My favorite things about this class is designing things, and I like how helpful the people are.”
~ Alden (5th Grader) -
![4th grade girl with light brown hair sitting behind an open laptop looking up and to the left in a cute pose with her fingers under her chin]()
“I like my amulet because it represents my identity.”
~ Stella (4th Grader) -
![Grid of many diverse cartoon avatars of children]()
“I had fun making the amulet!”
~ 6th grader -
![Grid of many diverse cartoon avatars of children]()
“I feel like it's cool to make stuff. It's nice to know I did something.”
~ Ari S (6th Grader) -
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“The top was my favorite. I love printing fidgets because they're satisfying.”
~ 5th Grader
Host a 3D Printing Party, for birthdays & special occasions!
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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.
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Please find our our refund/cancellation policy here.
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We cap our classes at 8 students per instructor so every camper receives hands-on guidance and support.
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Since this is an indoor program, weather shouldn’t be an issue.
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YES! Please inquire at contact@pdxminimakers.com to see how we might help make enrollment possible for your kiddos.
As our general rule of thumb, we like to offer 1-2 scholarships for every 10 signed-up students.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! Each week in our Summer Camp is standalone, while our after school enrichment is designed as a full-season experience, with sessions running the length of the school term.
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Yes, the program is in a nut-free facility and we provide 2 nut-free snacks!
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We strive to have a maximum of an 8:1 student to instructor ratio.
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This is an indoor program, so the rain shouldn’t affect us :)
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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.