Future Builders: Youth and Adult STEAM

K-12 STEAM education

Central LA West LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

In Los Angeles, many communities lack equitable access to STEAM education and creative technology. Students often go without opportunities to engage in hands-on learning that builds problem-solving, design, and tech skills, while adults in these same communities have limited access to tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, or coding platforms. This divide creates barriers to future academic and career pathways in the creative and tech sectors. Design Hive seeks to address this by offering intergenerational, culturally responsive maker programs that empower both youth and adults with the skills, confidence, and exposure they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Design Hive: Makers for Life is a dual-track STEAM initiative that empowers both youth and adults through hands-on, creative technology programs. This intergenerational project expands access to emerging tools like laser cutters, 3D printers, and microcontrollers while fostering a culture of lifelong learning and innovation in under-resourced Los Angeles communities.
The first track, SMART House (Grades 4–8), is an immersive 8-week program where students turn a wooden dollhouse into a tech-enabled, personalized miniature home. Along the way, they build working circuits, code micro:bit sensors, laser-cut furniture, 3D print household items, sew textiles, and explore interior design—gaining real-world STEAM experience and design-thinking skills.
The second track, Maker Nights, offers adults a welcoming, no-pressure entry point into the world of creative technology. Through beginner-to-intermediate workshops, participants learn to use tools like Glowforge, Cricut, and 3D printers while creating functional, artistic projects such as etched glassware, custom signs, and stenciled textiles. Together, these programs support creative confidence, technical skill-building, and community connection across generations.

If successful, Makers for Life will help create a more equitable and creatively empowered Los Angeles. Students from underserved schools will gain hands-on experience with STEAM tools, sparking interest in design, engineering, and technology careers. Adults will build creative confidence and technical skills, leading to increased community engagement and access to the maker economy. Our long-term vision includes expanding to additional LAUSD schools and establishing satellite programs at libraries and community centers, making creative tech education accessible to thousands more across the county.