our mission is simple
We’re Dedicated to providing STEAM-based education to our community that inspires, builds bright imaginations, and grows big hearts… because every child deserves to be a maker!
At PDX MiniMakers, kids learn by making. Every session starts with an idea and ends with something they designed themselves that will be printed as a tangible item in their hands. That process naturally pulls STEAM education together. You cannot design a working hinge without math, you cannot print it without understanding the machine, and you cannot make it something people want to look at without art.
We believe learning should be fun and rewarding, and that kids should walk away with more than a finished print. They walk away with the confidence to try something they have never done before. That is the skill that matters most in a world that is ever-changing.
Meet our team
Instructors
Marney andersen
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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
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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.
Ryan Whitmarsh-Jones
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Ryan (any/all) has worked directly with students of all grade levels for the last five years.
This includes curriculum planning, grading, communicating with students and families, and lovingly tormenting the little goobers with "The Noodle Dance" from Peanut, Butter, and Jelly as a motivational tool during class brainstorming sessions. (Yes, they did find a comprehensive noodle dance video that was over an hour long to play at middle school students--and yes, they would do it again.)
Just like some of the kids in the program, this is Ryan's first foray into 3D printing! His experience with 3D art tends to be more traditional: papier-mâché, sewing, things like that. But that's okay! She's done a lot of work with Tinkercad to prepare for class, and now they're ready to learn even more while they teach students how to build new and interesting things. Learning how to 3D print is like learning anything else. Mistakes are going to happen, and Ryan anticipates quoting a lot of Miss Frizzle along the way.
At the end of the program, Ryan hopes most of all that students leave with more smiles, resiliency, and imagination than they came in with.
Carrissa Mora
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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
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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
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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. Micah 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
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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.
Margaret Klement
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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.
Operations
Ben Schaefer
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Ben has been working in web development and design for more than 15 years, since his days at the college newspaper and creating Flash games in high school.
In his freelance work, he has helped build websites and assets for clients ranging from financial products to auto dealers and beauty salons, as well as working as a Software Engineer in the higher education space for much of the last decade.
At PDXMiniMakers, Ben handles Web and Marketing Operations. He is a firm believer in the value of STEAM education, attending a liberal arts college to study Philosophy, Math, and Latin before beginning his career in web development. He spends most of his free time traveling, painting miniatures, and attending events in local arts and gaming communities.
Courteney Duffy
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Courteney’s career spans over 15 years in project and operations management within large corporations, small agencies, and start-ups.
Courteney is a manager with the natural ability to leverage artistry in communication, collaboration, pragmatism, and drive to streamline success and proudly direct projects by supporting strategy, project plans, and customer-specific missions. As an effective communicator and relationship builder, Courteney supports team objectives and fosters team building.
As a mother of four children, Courteney recognizes the critical role STEM education plays in developing problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Raising four children as well as serving as a Girl Scout Troop leader for many years, Courteney appreciates how vital STEM learning is in nurturing curiosity, confidence, resilience and real-world skills. She recognizes the powerful role 3D printing plays in helping kids develop essential STEM skills by turning creativity and innovation into hands-on experience.
Courteney is excited to be part of a dynamic team of passionate teachers and leaders who promote life-long learning and innovation to our youth. Her background in organization and administration helps to keep PDXMiniMakers running smoothly and be an amazing program for our students.
DIRECTORS
Matara Liebow
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Matara has over a decade of experience dedicating herself to childcare and emergent education centers.
She is passionate about fostering a nurturing environment where children can thrive. Her time as a caregiver and as an educator has provided her with the skills to help children not only learn and grow academically but also to express their feelings and develop essential coping mechanisms through creative outlets.
Believing that creativity is a powerful tool for emotional processing and expression, she prioritizes encouraging children to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive space. Aiming to meet each child where they are at, she focuses on creativity and individuality. Every child deserves the opportunity to flourish, and she has committed herself to guiding them on their unique paths to success.
CPR certified, registered in the state of Oregon, and undergoing yearly training, Matara strives to provide the highest level of care and child development possible.
Ralph Nguyen
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Ralph brings over 15 years of expertise in technology trends, coupled with his passion for the growing importance of STEAM education for the next generation.
Recognizing that critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential in today’s rapidly changing world, he wants to be part of a program that can really focus on learning outcomes and developing portable skills rather than standardized test preparation.
Ralph has been an English instructor in Mombasa, Kenya and helped build strong foundations in reading and language comprehension to empower confident, effective communicators in his students. He wishes to do the same at PDX MiniMakers with workshops focused on literacy, language, and communication.
His attention to detail and strong organizational skills will ensure that PDX Minimakers’ programs are meticulously planned and executed, providing a well-run, supportive environment for learning and growth.
want to join our team?
We’re always looking for energetic, passionate people who enjoy working with youth to create fun and engaging learning environments.