About Youth Maker Space
Youth Maker Space is a studio where kids ages 7–17 — and their parents — build things they design, learn new skills, and create alongside their friends. Makers 10 and up can be dropped off. Kids ages 7–9 are welcome too, with a parent staying in the studio.
Each month, our Inventors design and build projects around a shared theme. The month ends with Demo Day, when families gather in the studio to celebrate, and every Inventor shows off what they made.
We believe kids learn best by building. Every project blends art and technology, building creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on skill.
Studio Capabilities
Here is a short list of amazing tools and equipment ready for our skilled makers! More gets added every month!
3D Printers
Our kids have the opportunity to use 3D printers to create plastic parts.
Laser Cutters, engravers and CNC
Laser cutters, engravers and our CNC machine cut, carve and engrave wood, acrylic, aluminum and brass.
Arduinos and ESP32s
Our innovators will have access to a wide range of electronic components along with support for creativity.
3D Design Software
Our creators harness 3D design software and develop the skills to use it proficiently.
Stop Motion Studio
Children can unleash their creativity with stop motion studio cameras and figures.
Paper, Vinyl and Cardboard cutters
Children discover how to utilize paper, vinyl, and cardboard cutters in their projects.
Heat Press, Sublimation & Embroidery
Kids press their designs onto shirts, mugs and metal, and learn the art of embroidery.
Drones and Robots for Programming
Children learn programming using the drones and robots in the studio.
Legos and Meccanos
Our creative team utilizes Legos and Meccanos to swiftly construct structures.
Services
One studio, five ways to make. Every program runs on real machines — 3D printers, laser cutter, Cricut, electronics, robotics — with small groups and hands-on guidance.
Core Program: Open Studio
Make it yours.
Our core program for young makers. Each month the studio takes on a new theme, and students choose their own project and their own path — 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, robotics, digital media, or art. Sessions are 90 minutes with every station open at once, so friends and siblings with different interests can build side by side. Come every other week, once a week or twice a week; your first visit is a free trial.
Also At YMS
Maker Classes
Pick a machine. Leave with proof.
Single-project classes where kids learn one machine at a time by building something they keep — 3D print your own keychains, design your tote bag with Cricut, laser cut a glowing lamp. Every class starts at Level 1, so no experience is needed: we begin from zero and end with a finished piece. Groups are small, the guidance is hands-on, and most projects wrap in a single session. It's a perfect first step into the studio — or a way for our regular makers to level up on the machine they love most.
AI Academy
Imagine it. Build it with AI's help.
Five hands-on AI classes, one for each weekday, 5:00 to 6:30 PM, November through December. Kids choose electronics, vision, 3D design, photo and video, or game making, and use AI to write code, explore ideas, and build projects. Each class runs four weeks in small groups for ages 10–17, and families are invited to a Showcase Night on December 19.
Acrylic Painting
Finish it like a pro.
Kids paint an original piece on canvas, or bring color to something they made in the studio: a 3D-printed figure, a laser-cut sign, a wooden build. They get the hang of mixing, layering, blending, and detail by painting something they care about. Every session starts from zero and builds toward a finished piece. Aprons and all materials included.
The First Session Is Free
Bring your child for a 90-minute session and let them try it for themselves — designing and building a real project with 3D printers, laser engraving, embroidery, drones and more. They come home with something they made; you find out if this is their place. Pick any weekday-afternoon or weekend session, choose the Free Trial option when you register, and you're done in about 2 minutes. No card required, no commitment — sessions are small.
Meet the Team
Youth Maker Space is founded by two parents who believe that kids learn best when they’re free to explore, create, and discover what excites them.
Co-Founder
Hamed Nejad
Hamed has spent his career working as an engineer on projects ranging from space programs and robotics to consumer electronics and medical devices. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Reliability Engineering. As a parent, Hamed is passionate about helping kids build confidence through hands-on problem solving, learning how things work, and turning curiosity into real skills they can use for life.
Co-Founder
Peggy Naseri
Peggy is an artist and educator who works primarily with acrylic painting and drawing, often inspired by flowers and plants. What matters most to her is creating art that feels joyful, decorative, and approachable. She holds a PhD in Art from the University of Mysuru and a master’s degree in Education from Roehampton University in London. As a parent, Peggy brings a strong focus on creativity, self-expression, and thoughtful learning into everything we do.
Our Mission
As parents, we wanted to create the kind of space we wished existed for our own kids — a place where technology and art come together, where creativity is encouraged, and where learning feels empowering rather than stressful. At Youth Maker Space, kids are trusted to explore, make mistakes, ask questions, and grow at their own pace, with guidance when they need it and independence when they’re ready.
Our goal is simple: to help kids discover what they love creating, build confidence in their abilities, and have fun doing it.
Through art and technology integration, we strive to empower youth to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and creators, preparing them for future academic and professional pursuits.
Contact Us
Have a question or want to know more about our after-school STEM studio? Feel free to get in touch using the form below. We're here to help.
Address
522 W Katella Avenue
Orange, CA 92867
Contact
Opening Hours:
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Mon
Closed
Tue, Thu, Fri
03:00 to 6:30 pm
Wed
01:00 to 6:30 pm
Saturday
11:00 to 4:30 pm
Sunday
01:00 to 5:00 pm