3D Printing After school Enrichment
Portland Public Schools Partner
Future-ready STEAM skills, taught today — spring program starts april 7th, 2026
Technology will continue to change fast. Human creativity never goes out of style. We teach that, hands-on, for grades 3 to 8.
Who?
3rd to 8th graders
WhEN?
Weekdays after school.
Programs start April 7th.
WHERE?
We’ll be at the following Portland Public Schools this Spring:
Alameda Elementary | Astor K-8 | Beverly Cleary K-8 | Bridlemile Elementary | Capitol Hill Elementary | Creston K-5 | Hosford Middle | Laurelhurst K-8 | Sellwood Middle
Now partnering with SUN Community Schools!
Contact us or your SUN Community School for details and registration.
“My 4th grader loves this class! So happy we found it!”
~ Rebecca H.
What’s Included
8:1 Student to Instructor Ratio
All materials and 3D printing supplies
Daily snacks (nut-free)
Take-home 3D printed projects every week
Pick Your Program
Alameda
Elementary
Tuesdays after school from 2:30pm to 4:00pm
April 7th through May 26th, 8 sessions total
New to 3D Printing? This is the perfect class for you! In this course, students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations.
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Students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations. Each class features a new technique or design challenge, with plenty of time to explore and apply new skills to their own ideas.
Projects range from practical items like phone stands, fidgets, and organizers to creative builds like characters, miniatures, and original inventions. The focus is on making things students are excited to take home and actually use.
No experience needed. Our instructors work with each student at their own pace, whether they're brand new to 3D design or ready to tackle more advanced projects. Small class sizes and low instructor to student ratio (max 8:1) mean every student gets the support they need to succeed.
Astor K-8
Thursdays after school from 3:15pm to 5:00pm
April 9th through May 28th, 8 sessions total
New to 3D Printing? This is the perfect class for you! In this course, students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations.
-
Students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations. Each class features a new technique or design challenge, with plenty of time to explore and apply new skills to their own ideas.
Projects range from practical items like phone stands, fidgets, and organizers to creative builds like characters, miniatures, and original inventions. The focus is on making things students are excited to take home and actually use.
No experience needed. Our instructors work with each student at their own pace, whether they're brand new to 3D design or ready to tackle more advanced projects. Small class sizes and low instructor to student ratio (max 8:1) mean every student gets the support they need to succeed.
Beverly Cleary
K-8
Thursdays after school from 3:15pm to 5:00pm. Middle school students can join at 3:30pm
April 9th through May 28th, 8 sessions total
New to 3D Printing? This is the perfect class for you! In this course, students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations.
-
Students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations. Each class features a new technique or design challenge, with plenty of time to explore and apply new skills to their own ideas.
Projects range from practical items like phone stands, fidgets, and organizers to creative builds like characters, miniatures, and original inventions. The focus is on making things students are excited to take home and actually use.
No experience needed. Our instructors work with each student at their own pace, whether they're brand new to 3D design or ready to tackle more advanced projects. Small class sizes and low instructor to student ratio (max 8:1) mean every student gets the support they need to succeed.
Tuesdays after school from 4:00pm to 5:30pm
April 7th through May 26th, 8 sessions total
New to 3D Printing? This is the perfect class for you! In this course, students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations.
Bridlemile Elementary
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Students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations. Each class features a new technique or design challenge, with plenty of time to explore and apply new skills to their own ideas.
Projects range from practical items like phone stands, fidgets, and organizers to creative builds like characters, miniatures, and original inventions. The focus is on making things students are excited to take home and actually use.
No experience needed. Our instructors work with each student at their own pace, whether they're brand new to 3D design or ready to tackle more advanced projects. Small class sizes and low instructor to student ratio (max 8:1) mean every student gets the support they need to succeed.
Capitol Hill Elementary
Wednesdays after school from 2:30pm to 4:00pm
April 8th through May 27th, 8 sessions total
New to 3D Printing? This is the perfect class for you! In this course, students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations.
-
Students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations. Each class features a new technique or design challenge, with plenty of time to explore and apply new skills to their own ideas.
Projects range from practical items like phone stands, fidgets, and organizers to creative builds like characters, miniatures, and original inventions. The focus is on making things students are excited to take home and actually use.
No experience needed. Our instructors work with each student at their own pace, whether they're brand new to 3D design or ready to tackle more advanced projects. Small class sizes and low instructor to student ratio (max 8:1) mean every student gets the support they need to succeed.
Creston K-5
Mondays after school from 2:30pm to 4:00pm
April 13th through May 18th, 6 sessions total
New to 3D Printing? This is the perfect class for you! In this course, students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations.
-
Students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations. Each class features a new technique or design challenge, with plenty of time to explore and apply new skills to their own ideas.
Projects range from practical items like phone stands, fidgets, and organizers to creative builds like characters, miniatures, and original inventions. The focus is on making things students are excited to take home and actually use.
No experience needed. Our instructors work with each student at their own pace, whether they're brand new to 3D design or ready to tackle more advanced projects. Small class sizes and low instructor to student ratio (max 8:1) mean every student gets the support they need to succeed.
Hosford
Middle
Returning
School
Thursdays after school from 4:15pm to 5:45pm
April 9th through May 28th, 8 sessions total
Bring your imagination to life as you design and 3D print your own characters, figurines, and more!
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Character Creators: Design Your Own 3D Printed Figures
Bring your characters to life in 3D! Design and print your own action figures, creatures, and collectibles, whether inspired by anime, video games, comics, science fiction, or straight from your imagination.
Students learn techniques for building figures from the ground up: heads, bodies, dynamic poses, and the small details that make characters pop. Create heroes, villains, Gundams, monsters, robots, pets, or original mascots. Whatever sparks your creativity!
Along the way, you'll pick up skills like sculpting organic shapes, adding facial expressions and features, and designing characters that look ready for action. Each student works on their own character project to take home.
Perfect for creative students who love storytelling, drawing, or collecting figures. Beginners welcome!
Laurelhurst
K-8
Returning
SchoolMondays
Mondays after school (3:15pm to 5:00pm)
April 13th through May 18th, 6 sessions total
Perfect for students who love figuring out how things work and building things with a purpose. No experience required!
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Functional Design: Make Stuff That Works
Why settle for something that almost fits when you can design exactly what you need? Students become inventors by creating custom objects that solve real problems - phone stands sized for their phone, organizers that fit their desk, fidgets that spin just right.
Projects include puzzle boxes, cookie cutters, clips and holders, game accessories, and student-designed inventions. Along the way, students learn practical skills like measuring, prototyping, and iterating on designs when something doesn't work the first time.
This is hands-on engineering with a creative twist. Students test their creations, troubleshoot problems, and redesign until it works - then take home something they'll actually use.
Perfect for students who love figuring out how things work and building things with a purpose. No experience required.
Wednesdays
Wednesdays after school (3:15pm to 5:00pm)
April 8th through May 27th, 6 sessions total
New to 3D Printing? This is the perfect class for you! In this course, students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations.
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Beginner 3D Design Studio
Students become inventors, artists, and problem-solvers as they learn to design and print their own creations. Each class features a new technique or design challenge, with plenty of time to explore and apply new skills to their own ideas.
Projects range from practical items like phone stands, fidgets, and organizers to creative builds like characters, miniatures, and original inventions. The focus is on making things students are excited to take home and actually use.
No experience needed. Our instructors work with each student at their own pace, whether they're brand new to 3D design or ready to tackle more advanced projects. Small class sizes and low instructor to student ratio (max 8:1) mean every student gets the support they need to succeed.
Sellwood
Middle
Returning
SchoolThursdays after school from 4:15pm to 5:45pm
April 9th through May 28th, 8 sessions total
Bring your imagination to life as you design and 3D print your own characters, figurines, and more!
-
Character Creators: Design Your Own 3D Printed Figures
Bring your characters to life in 3D! Design and print your own action figures, creatures, and collectibles, whether inspired by anime, video games, comics, science fiction, or straight from your imagination.
Students learn techniques for building figures from the ground up: heads, bodies, dynamic poses, and the small details that make characters pop. Create heroes, villains, Gundams, monsters, robots, pets, or original mascots. Whatever sparks your creativity!
Along the way, you'll pick up skills like sculpting organic shapes, adding facial expressions and features, and designing characters that look ready for action. Each student works on their own character project to take home.
Perfect for creative students who love storytelling, drawing, or collecting figures. Beginners welcome!
Meet Our Instructors
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.
marney andersen
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Marney has over 20 years of corporate experience leading programs, leveraging technology, and mentoring teams. With a strong background in operations, project management, and technology implementation, she has 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.
In addition to her professional background, 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.
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.
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.