(NMC) — The CNMI Innovation Incubator at Northern Marianas College successfully concluded its inaugural Summer Youth Makers Program, a three-day initiative that brought local entrepreneurs, artists, and aspiring young creators together to explore new ideas, entrepreneurship, and creative expression.
Held June 10–12, 2026, the program welcomed 36 Youth Makers ages 11–14 from across the CNMI for immersive, hands-on experiences led by five local entrepreneurs and creatives within the Innovation Incubator network. Through interactive workshops and collaborative activities, participants gained firsthand exposure to how local entrepreneurs and makers have transformed their talents, passions, and experiences into ventures that enrich the CNMI community.
Throughout the program, Youth Makers explored a variety of fields spanning food innovation, cultural arts, maker technologies, digital media, and music production. Participants experimented with flavor development, designed and branded original products, created island-inspired mwaar, explored crafting tools such as Cricut and Foam Cutters, and experienced the creative process behind songwriting, recording, content creation, and performance.
Beyond project-based learning, participants strengthened skills in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and self-expression — competencies that support lifelong learning and future workforce readiness. By engaging directly with local entrepreneurs and creators, they also gained valuable insight into the CNMI’s growing culture of entrepreneurship and small business development.
Made possible at no cost to participating families, the Youth Makers Program reflects the CNMI Innovation Incubator’s commitment to expanding access to hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation among youth throughout the Commonwealth.
“When young people are given opportunities to explore their interests and learn from local role models, they begin to see new possibilities for themselves and their future. Youth Makers was designed to help participants recognize that the skills they develop today — whether in creativity, problem-solving, or collaboration — can one day contribute to the growth and resilience of our islands,” said Cherese Palacios, program manager of the CNMI Innovation Incubator.
The program created meaningful experiences that resonated with both participants and their families.
“Thank you to the Innovation Incubator for providing this opportunity for our youth during such a challenging time. The program gave them a chance to express themselves, explore their creativity, and discover new interests. We look forward to future activities,” shared one parent.
For many participants, the experience opened new possibilities and encouraged them to explore interests they had never considered before.
“Learning about content creation, music, and meeting new people was my favorite part of the program. I think this knowledge will be very helpful in the future, and meeting others allowed me to make new friends and collaborate with people who share similar interests,” shared one Youth Maker participant.
The inaugural Summer Youth Makers Program reflects the CNMI Innovation Incubator’s ongoing commitment to cultivating future innovators, strengthening community connections, and expanding opportunities for youth engagement. As the program continues to evolve, it aims to equip the next generation with the mindset, skills, and experiences needed to thrive in an increasingly dynamic world.
The CNMI Innovation Incubator and Northern Marianas College extend their sincere appreciation to the program’s featured innovators — Bishu™ Marianas, Chance Boy’s, SakuBloom, Krafting Littles, and Jordan Paradise — for sharing their expertise, creativity, and entrepreneurial journeys with the next generation of makers and leaders.
For more information about the CNMI Innovation Incubator and upcoming programs, follow @cnmisbdc on Instagram and the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network on Facebook, or contact [email protected]/.
