FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most from schools, educators, funders, and the SteamHead community.
Does it cost anything to bring MakeFashion Edu (or another SteamHead program) into a school?
Most SteamHead programs aren't sold for a cost. Bringing MakeFashion Edu into a classroom takes roughly 100 hours of adult supervisor time — mostly in-class with students — and that time can often be layered onto a school's existing schedule rather than added on top of it. SteamHead staff are available on request to help supplement those hours, and in that case we ask the requesting agency to cover expenses.
Is the Shenzhen makerspace still open?
No — the SteamHead Makerspace in Shenzhen closed in 2024. It ran from 2017 as a hub for hands-on learning and community collaboration; you can read more about it on the Neighborhood Earth page.
Is the Resident Educators program still running?
Yes, by invitation only, and now based in California. It was previously based at the Shenzhen makerspace, which closed in 2024.
How do we bring a SteamHead program to our school or community?
There's no formal multi-step application — the process is simply to contact us and discuss it. SteamHead goes into communities where it's invited, and we like to understand a community before offering services, so think of it as starting a conversation rather than filling out a form. Reach us directly at james@steamhead.space.
What does SteamHead's partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District look like?
About 900 students have taken part over three years running. We bring makerspace sessions directly into schools, and we openly give teachers the option to adopt any of our practices or equipment into their own classrooms — the goal is for each school to keep the institutional knowledge once we've moved on. Individual school goals vary depending on each community's needs. More on this program lives on the System Upgrade page.
Is SteamHead self-funded, or does it accept grants and donations?
SteamHead actively welcomes both. We seek project-based funding and invitations to visit education communities, and we accept donations of any amount to further our mission. See our Funders & Partnerships page for details, or contact james@steamhead.space.
What's SteamHead's legal and nonprofit status?
Our legal name is simply "SteamHead" — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, not an LLC. Volunteer work began in 2011, and we were recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity in California in 2018. You can verify our status directly with the IRS on our Nonprofit Status page.
How many countries has SteamHead worked in?
Nine, and counting — the US, China, Bhutan, Brazil, Germany, Canada, the UK, Sri Lanka, and Italy. Read the full story on Neighborhood Earth, our longest-running program.
Don't see your question here? Get in touch — we're happy to help.