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Amanda Grutza

Director of Innovation

Phone:

347-387-2944

Email:

about

My passion lies in creating innovative and rewarding project-based, fabrication, maker, and STEM programs that inspire students to develop critical thinking skills and explore their creativity. With an emphasis on engineering and creative problem solving, I am highly adept at designing and implementing project-based learning experiences that integrate various tools, machinery, and software.
 

Throughout my career, I have collaborated with public schools, private companies, and non-profit organizations to establish and facilitate tech programs and maker spaces. I am proud to have coached award-winning robotics teams and built projects for events such as the First Lego League, MakerFaire, the Girl Scouts of America, and the Boys and Girls Club. I am committed to creating learning environments that prioritize Culturally Responsive Teaching, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and learner-centered practices.
 

In addition to my expertise in STEM education, I possess strong team management and leadership skills. I have experience leading and collaborating with diverse teams of educators and professionals to achieve common goals and deliver high-quality programs.

Work Experience

Portfolio School

September 2019 - June 2023

September 2020 - Present

January 2019 - August 2021

STEM Teachers NYC

STEM Kids NYC

ionyc solutions

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September 2016 - May 2020

September 2019 - Present

Girl Scouts of U.S.A

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Director of Innovation

Lead development, implementation, and facilitation of cutting-edge programming and curriculum for computational thinking, digital literacy, design education, and digital fabrication Oversee planning process, utilization of current ISTE/Computer Science Standards as a reference and on-the-fly additions as advances in technology and design progress Maintain emergent curriculum and curation of interactive displays, term-based showcases, and live exhibitions of student work Provide professional development opportunities for teachers and staff on use of technology including Learning Management Systems, incorporating Artificial Intelligence, Subtractive and Additive Manufacturing, Design Education, Project Organization and Scaffolding, Safety Protocols, and Vertical Integration. Close collaboration with students, teachers, and faculty to integrate technology and computational thinking across curriculum implementing high-end industrial-level software/hardware: SketchUp, Cura, Unity, Unreal Engine, Arduino, Raspberry Pi/Raspbian, and Gravit Deploy traditional educational technology tools: Code.org, Scratch, Khan Academy, TinkerCAD, LEGO Mindstorms, Easel, App Inventor, Canva, Typing Club, and the Google Suite Designed, built, manage and maintain/update school Innovation Lab (cutting-edge makerspace/computer lab hybrid) utilizing 3D printers, laser cutters, CNCs, computers, microcontrollers/robotics & electronics stations, VR equipment, and separate woodworking machine shop Supervise maintenance, scheduling/management and budget for lab machinery: Ultimaker 2, Creality Ender 3 Pro V2, Glowforge Plus, Shapeoko 2, Arduino, Adafruit, Spike Prime, EV3, Oculus / Meta Quest 2 Implemented work order system for lab fabrication, created and implemented safety protocols and machine maintenance in a collaborative effort with students to instill ownership and responsibility of the lab Outreach and collaboration with local industry leaders and institutions to develop community partnerships for students to apply learning and gain real-world experience, includes the United Nations, Arduino, Google, Stuyvesant, First Robotics, NV5, and DNA Learning Lab, amongst others FIRST LEGO League Team Coach

Professional Development Specialist

Creation/facilitation of professional development programming for teachers from traditional K-12 and STEM backgrounds. Includes educational logistics, online education, Outlines, Strategic Leadership Training Sessions, and implementing Critical & Visionary Thinking Focused on Technology, CAD, and Digital Literacy in the classroom with emphasis on implementation of open-source apps/software into existing curriculum and lessons Conducted workshops on Arduino microcontrollers and software (beginner and advanced levels) and collaborated with Arduino and the Arduino Science Journal team

Curriculum Developer and Facilitator

Provide comprehensive education to students from diverse backgrounds in NYC area with focus on integration of STEM subjects and Culturally Responsive Teaching strategies. Program empowered students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the 21st-century workforce and reduce risk of poverty, incarceration, and unemployment Utilized advanced fabrication tools such as 3D printers and CNCs Worked with students in public and charter schools to teach independent critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the engineering design method

Professional Development Coordinator & Fab Lab/Makerspace Design

Makerspace creation and consultation for diverse schools, nonprofits, and community centers in the greater New York area. Included strategic crafting of individually tailored space, inventory, curriculum, and implementation based on need, budget, goals, current faculty procedures, and programmatic reports

Technology / STEM Consultant

Creation/facilitation of professional development programming for teachers from traditional K-12 and STEM backgrounds. Includes educational logistics, online education, Outlines, Strategic Leadership Training Sessions, and implementing Critical & Visionary Thinking Focused on Technology, CAD, and Digital Literacy in the classroom with emphasis on implementation of open-source apps/software into existing curriculum and lessons Conducted workshops on Arduino microcontrollers and software (beginner and advanced levels) and collaborated with Arduino and the Arduino Science Journal team

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