When Passion Meets Purpose

What if every kid had the place to dream, design, and make something that truly built on their essential skills, helped them grow in confidence, and recognized their creative potential? What if every child felt THAT empowered and capable? Thanks to Creator Zone, they CAN! As Creator Zone approaches its third birthday, they're proud to be growing a network of caring parents, community partners, and sponsors who want more easy access to creativity, innovation, and learning that inspires kids. It's no wonder that our team at Northshore Christian Academy is proud to be a supporter, collaborator, and sponsor to Creator Zone.

Last week, our middle school Challenge Team Roarin’ Robotics coaches, Jena Petrie (Robotics Coordinator) and Teryn Jeyarajah (STEAM Director), had the honor of attending a special celebration at Creator Zone! Our team was honored to sit at a VIP table and show our support for one of our amazing community partners. We’re excited to continue growing this partnership as we expand our STEAM programs here at NCA. Not only that, but the celebration was also a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the STEAM community from around our region, including friends from Boeing Familia and STEM AVSED – Aviation and Space Education. At NCA, we believe that STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) programs empower children to develop essential skills, build confidence, and tap into their creative potential. Our team knew that it was more than just attending an event, but about investing in a movement where children feel seen and supported.

So, how did it all begin?...

Two years ago, NCA first crossed paths with Creator Zone when they generously donated to our own annual online auction. At the time, we had no idea that this simple act of kindness would spark a dynamic and ever-evolving partnership rooted in innovation, education, and community. Not to mention, during that time, Creator Zone was not your typical learning space. It was a place where a coffee shop vibe met the cutting edge of STEAM—computers, laptops, 3D printers, a wood shop, VR headsets, and even a LEGO engineering zone. It was a hands-on haven where anyone from the community could drop in, take a class, or simply explore. The founders envisioned a space where families could engage in STEM together, making learning collaborative, creative, and fun. But Creator Zone didn’t stop there. As their mission grew, so did their reach. They began packing up their tools and talents to bring STEAM directly into schools.

Zea Smith, Creative Director and Founder of Creator zone

Creator Zone is all about bringing people together from every corner of STEAM to give kids inspiring opportunities to dream big, get creative, and build the confidence to see themselves as future innovators and leaders. I’m really looking forward to connecting more with NCA and putting ideas into action together

One pivotal moment in our journey together came during a birthday party recently hosted at Creator Zone. The guest list? Mostly Northshore students! As the activities unfolded, Zea Smith—Creator Zone’s visionary founder—noticed something remarkable: kindergarteners were engaging in high-level engineering challenges with ease. When asked if this was new to them, their response was simple and profound: “We do this all the time at school.”

That moment was a turning point. Zea realized the need to continue to elevate Creator Zone’s offerings to truly support and challenge these young minds. Thus, our relationship with Creator Zone continued to deepen. Today, they run camps in Lake Stevens and have built a powerhouse team of engineers and artists who inspire students every day

At last week's celebration, one of our coaches remarked, “Wow, I feel so special,” reflecting the warmth and recognition NCA received. In fact, we were one of the only tables to get a personal shout-out from the stage—a testament to how deeply connected we are within the community.

The collaboration and partnership we have is so amazing, and we are so excited in all the multiple areas of growth and desires that not only we have, but Creator Zone has for us to continue growing together. There are just endless possibilities to create hands-on learning opportunities for our kids in the community

Teryn Jeyarajah STEAM Director

This thriving partnership and journey between NCA and Creator Zone is a powerful reminder of what happens when passion meets purpose. And this is only the beginning!