Frequently asked questions

The makerspace is open to all local grade 9–12 learners in Lake Tahoe. This includes students at STHS, Tallac, homeschool students, and any other high school–age learners in the area.

Our current focus is local grade 9–12 learners. Our grant funding directs us to build a makerspace that works exceptionally well for high schoolers first. We want them to have fantastic experiences. Down the road, we hope to thoughtfully expand access to additional age groups — but only once we're confident it won't degrade the experience for our core audience.

Our makerspace programming is designed for high school students, but The Atrium will have many opportunities for the broader community. The Atrium will allow us to host a variety of events which include opportunities for the whole family. Are you a local maker or community champion? Do you have skills, experience, or passion you'd like to contribute? Submit your information through our interest form and we'll reach out when an opportunity aligns.

Our makerspace is free for students. Our goal is to remove all barriers to making, including cost. You'd only ever pay for specialty materials or premium services.

We're not planning to hire additional full-time staff in the near term. As we open and grow programming, there will be meaningful opportunities for community members to get involved through volunteering.

We haven't finalized our supported software list yet — when we do, it will be published on our website. Wherever possible, we prioritize free, open-source, cross-platform software so students can use the same tools at home that they encounter in the makerspace. Our selections are intentional: we want what students learn here to transfer directly to the workforce. We'll teach software skills such as: 3D Modeling (CAD), Machining (CAM), Vector CAD, Circuit Design.

We're here to teach and empower people to design and build things themselves. The Atrium is an educational makerspace — we don't provide custom design or fabrication services on demand.

We'll publish a full equipment list on our website as we get closer to opening. What we can share now is that the makerspace will support seven key categories:

• Digital Prototyping — laser cutters, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, pen plotters, and more
• Wood — table saw, vertical bandsaw, wood turning, and more
• Metals — fiber laser welding, grinding, bending
• Finishes — paint, powder coat, stain
• Photography & Film
• Electronics & Robotics
• Bike / Ski / Snowboard Repair

We chose the name The Atrium because an atrium is often the heart of a building — a central, light-filled space that brings people together. That felt like the right fit for what we want this place to be: a welcoming space for our community to learn, create, and connect. It also speaks to the values behind the project — belonging, collaboration, and sustainability.

The Atrium logo is centered around the letter A, connecting it to the building's name. Its A-frame shape represents people coming together under one roof — a shared space for learning, creating, and connecting.

The three dots represent our three foundation pillars — Feed, Read, Lead — as well as three forces that shape our vision for this space: Nature, Community, Innovation.

The horizontal line points to the future, symbolizing sustainability, momentum, and the idea of building something lasting for the community.

No — The Atrium is not a school. It's a community-powered extension of learning: a place to build skills, explore interests, and launch ideas beyond the classroom, designed primarily for high school students. The Atrium complements traditional education by providing hands-on tools, mentorship, and real-world project experience that students typically don't get during the regular school day.

Yes — certain spaces at The Atrium, including our event space, will be available for community organizations to use. Once open, we'll have a request form for community members to submit. We'll follow up to coordinate details and determine whether the proposed use aligns with our mission.

We are not able to offer storage at The Atrium. Our space is currently under construction, and once we open we need to keep it clear, safe, and organized for student programming and community events.

We're proud to partner closely with STHS, Tallac, and the K–12 Strong Workforce Program. We are actively engaging school leadership, teachers, and students to help shape programming and vision so The Atrium becomes a resource that truly benefits local 9–12 learners.