The semester moves through three hands-on disciplines, each ending with a project you keep:

• Woodworking — learn to measure, cut, join, and finish, and build a sturdy wooden step stool from raw stock.

• Metalworking — cut, file, drill, bend, and fasten sheet metal into a toolbox that's actually yours to use.

• 3D printing & design — learn to model your own ideas on the computer and print them, from a first keychain to a figurine, nameplate, or something no one's made before.

Then you'll pull it all together in a capstone project of your own design — combining the tools you've learned to build something that matters to you. Into Dungeons & Dragons, anime, music, cars, or gaming? We'll help you channel it into what you make.

And because the best way to learn is to finish something, each discipline starts with a quick win — a coaster, a stamped keychain, a printed keyring — so you always walk out with something in hand while you build toward the bigger project.

This isn't just crafts — it's how real engineers and makers think. Every project runs through the engineering design process: define the problem, sketch a plan, build it, test it, figure out what went wrong, and make it better. Each student keeps a design notebook to capture ideas, drawings, and lessons learned — the same habit professional designers rely on, and the story they'll tell at the final showcase.

Students are guided by two instructors in the room at all times: a lead instructor from Boston Private Tutors — an MIT-trained mechanical engineer who's brilliant at connecting math and science to whatever a kid is genuinely excited about — alongside Mill Forge's specialist makers in wood, metal, and digital fabrication. With a group size capped at 12, instruction is stepwise and self-paced, so a complete beginner and a kid who's already tinkered both feel challenged and supported.

We take real tools seriously, which means we take safety seriously — proper protective gear, clear boundaries, and hands-on supervision throughout. Being trusted with real power tools and professional level equipment is part of what makes this click for teens: they're treated like capable young makers, because that's what they become.

Classes are held at Mill Forge, a 7,000-square-foot community makerspace in Norwood covering wood, metal, electronics, 3D printing, and more. It's a working shop full of real people building real things — and there's a particular magic in that. Students see what the members around them are making, swap ideas, and discover that the person at the next bench is often the best source of a solution. The space is fully air-conditioned and comfortable year-round. It's also fully accessible, with a kitchenette and dedicated rest space for students who need a break.

Location:
Mill Forge Makerspace - millforge.org
61 Endicott St., Bldg 46, Norwood, MA 02062

On the final day, families are invited in to watch each student present their capstone project — the problem they set out to solve, how they designed it, what went wrong, how they fixed it, and the tools they mastered along the way. Watching a teen walk their parents through a shop they now know inside and out, explaining every machine they used, is the whole point. They don't just leave with projects; they leave with confidence, real capability, and something they're proud to show off.

• Who: Teens ages 12–18. No experience needed — total beginners are welcome and expected.

• When: Wednesday late mornings, September through December. One ~2-hour session per week, plus a supervised capstone build week and a family showcase. (Thanksgiving week off; full schedule published in advance.)

• Where: Mill Forge makerspace, Norwood, MA.

• Group size: 8–12 students, with two instructors at every session.

• Tuition is all-inclusive: Fourteen 2-hour maker sessions with two instructors, materials, tooling, and a few open-shop day passes to finish projects on your own time.

• What to bring: Long pants, and closed-toe shoes. All materials, tools, and safety gear are provided. A laptop if possible (for the design work).

Spots are limited, and small by design. To reserve a place or ask a question, contact Boston Private Tutors — we'd love to tell you more.

Lead Instructor:
Amber Houghstow
MIT Mechanical Engineer (B.S.), Harvard M.A.

Guest Instructors:
TBA

Wednesdays 10:30a-12:30p

14 meetings

1. Sep 9

2. Sep 16

3. Sep 23

4. Sep 30

5. Oct 7

6. Oct 14

7. Oct 21

8. Oct 28

9. Nov 4

10. Nov 11

11. Nov 18

SKIP Nov 25 (Thanksgiving week - Skip)

12. Dec 2

13. Dec 9

14. Dec 16 (Showcase, invite parents/friends)