David Cavallo is a consultant with the Fab Foundation and serving as the Learning Architect for the SCOPES-DF project. David is a Research Scientist and former Director of the Future of Learning Group at the MIT Media Laboratory. He completed his Ph.D. under the direction of Professor Seymour Papert. His thesis work describes an educational intervention in Thailand, named Project Lighthouse, and points towards the importance of emergent design in the reform of large-scale, complex, dynamic environments. His work focuses on the design and implementation of reforms of learning environments and educational systems, and the role technology can play in this change process. He also works on the design of new technologies for learning through design, expression, and construction. His other work includes projects for large-scale educational reform in Brasil, including a project where children design their city of the future. Prior to MIT, Cavallo led the design and implementation of medical informatics as part of a reform of health care delivery and management at the Harvard University Health Services. Prior to that he was a principal and consulting software engineer at Digital Equipment Corporation’s Artificial Intelligence Technology Center. He led enterprise architecture and implementation efforts for using technology to produce change in the processes and operations of major companies by focusing on learning. He designed and built numerous knowledge-based systems for industry. He also holds a Master of Science degree from the MIT Media Laboratory and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Science from Rutgers University. He has advised numerous heads of state and ministries of education on the adoption of advanced technologies for learning and the reform of educational institutions.
Matt Chalker is an Artist, Informal Educator, Curriculum Content Specialist & Digital Fabrication Expert Currently Based On The Big Island Of Hawaii. He has spent the past thirteen years developing, implementing and facilitating STEM programs in a variety of informal and formal educational settings. From museums to after-school clubs and national competitions, he supervises and helps enable youth to reach their full potential. He is also an expert at making all sorts of cool stuff. From model airplanes to computers and art, he love’s creating interesting things and taking on fun projects. Whether working his hands using traditional methods or designing things on a computer and creating it using digital fabrication tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers and vinyl cutters, he always loves a new challenge! http://www.matthewchalker.com/educational-programs
Colin Christy is a jack-of-all trades and has served as a teacher at MC2 STEM High School, in a variety of different teaching roles, since 2014. Colin grew up in Berkeley, California and attended San Francisco State University where he earned his Bachelors degree. Later, Colin moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he began his journey into teaching, serving as a Social Studies, Science, and Engineering Teacher throughout his time at MC2 STEM High School. Colin now considers himself an expert in Fab, seamlessly integrating making into the curriculum and helping students understand the value and power of creativity and innovation.
Dr. Nettrice Gaskins has worked for several years in K-12 and post-secondary education, community media and technology before receiving a doctorate in Digital Media from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2014. Nettrice has focused on the application of cultural art and technologies in STEAM learning for underrepresented ethnic groups in public schools in the United States and around the world. She has worked as a teaching artist for the Boston 100K Artscience Innovation Prize; and was a youth media/technology trainer for Adobe Youth Voices. She served as Board President of the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture and was on the board of the Community Technology Centers Network (CTCNet). Dr. Gaskins has also received funding from the National Science Foundation for Advancing STEM Through Culturally Situated Arts-Based Learning. Nettrice provides expert advice on how to include people from underrepresented communities.
Latosha Glass is currently serving as the Assistant Principal for the 10th grade at MC2 STEM High School in Cleveland, Ohio. In this role, Latosha has the distinct pleasure of serving as an instructional leader at the GE Nela Park location, the first high school in the world to exist on a fortune 500 Campus. Prior to working at MC2 STEM High School, Latosha served as the Principal at Alfred A. Benesch, an elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio, as well a Curriculum and Instruction Team Leader at Euclid High School. Latosha earned her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University, followed by her Masters in Education at Cleveland State University. When she not working, Latosha spends time with her family which includes her husband, daughter, and son.
Adam Gorski is a proud member of the MC2 STEM High School staff, currently serving as the Biology Teacher at the GE Nela Park Location. Gorski studied Geological Science and Earth Sciences at the Ohio State University. After that, Gorski transitioned into education, earning his teaching license at Cleveland State University College of Education. Adam is passionate about education and enjoys fostering a love of science in his students. When not teaching, Adam enjoys traveling around the world and exploring.
Kevin is a STEM engineering teacher at MC2 STEM, a public STEM school in Cleveland Ohio. He designs custom curriculum for my students to teach design and manufacturing. You can see over 4000 photographs from inside his classroom on his photography blog. The STEM Engineering website contains project details, student successes, and STEM resources: www.Teachingineering.com
Ariel is a technology and design, non-profit and social innovation consultant. He spent the first part of his career in the private sector, as a research geologist, a data scientist, a research & development director, and product designer. He now supports the community and social innovation sectors, drawing on his diverse experiences in order to: share intuition for technology, collaborate on “tech for good” projects, and create inspiring and practical learning experiences.
David Held has been the technology director at Poughkeepsie Day School since 2002 and has worked in the field of educational technology for 20 years. He also teaches Art and Technology classes and 3D printing classes in both the Upper and Middle Schools at PDS. He has presented workshops focusing on teaching technology through building interactive art projects, including the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE), SXSWEdu and the Lausanne Learning Institute.
Ken Kranz served in the US Air Force from 1995 to 2015 where he held a variety of positions working in the intelligence community and developing space systems. Throughout his career, he has worked as part of teams practicing the skills of collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation. Some career highlights include integrating intelligence simulation capabilities into military exercises, testing missile warning systems, developing space reconnaissance systems, and creating intelligence tools to discover adversary activities. He graciously accepts the role of STEM’s resident rocket scientist. Mr. Kranz grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During his Air Force career, he has lived in Florida, Texas, Colorado, Ohio, and Virginia. He met his future wife in San Antonio, Texas and they are thrilled to be living in Chattanooga with their two Bedlington Terriers.
Melvin LaPrade founded the National Urban Research Group (NURG) when he was a Ph.D. Candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Urban Studies and Planning. In the beginning, NURG conducted research and policy analysis on mortgage lending discrimination and the origins of the subprime financial crisis. The vision of NURG has extended to advance data-driven research through multiple perspectives, with particular concentration to the impact of public policy on social justice and educational equity across P-20 educational platforms.
Sherry Lassiter is one of the architects of the MIT global initiative for field on-site technology development, the Fab Lab program. A Fab Lab, or as users like to call it, fabulous laboratory, is a rapid prototyping platform for technical education, innovation and personal expression. The Fab Lab network includes over 1200 digital fabrication facilities in 100 countries. Lassiter is Director of the Fab Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to building technical capacity in a locality, improving individuals’ abilities to develop themselves and their communities and bringing access to tools and knowledge that cultivate and support innovating practices.
Rich Lehrer is the Innovation Coordinator at Brookwood School (Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA), a teacher trainer in the fields of Project Based Learning and 3D Printing for Education for the Buck Institute for Education, TeachThought, and The Principals’ Training Center, and the former Education Coordinator for the eNABLE Educators’ Exchange and The ECF.
Covadonga Lorenzo Cueva is a Doctor in Architecture (PhD) and a faculty member at Universidad CEU San Pablo in Madrid, Spain, where she teaches Architectural Drawing, Drawing and Geometry and Digital Fabrication for Architectural Design and researches in the group Digital Fabrication for Distributed Environments, exploring next generation technology to improve learning methods using gamification, multisensory & multimodal learning and interactive augmented reality to improve the learning experience in a FabLab.
Feowyn Marshment is currently the Head of School at MC2 STEM High School, a STEM, Project-Based, Mastery Learning environment that is a part of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Feowyn began her education career as part of the prestigious New York City Teaching Fellows program, teaching English at Archimedes Academy for Science, Technology & Math in the Bronx while simultaneously earning her M.S in English Education at Fordham University. At the completion of the program, she returned to Cleveland so she could teach in the district she, herself attended. She has worked at MC2 STEM High School and the Cleveland School of the Arts in both teaching and administration & leadership roles. Throughout her time in Cleveland, she has maintained an active involvement with the Ohio STEM community, working as a consultant with the Great Lakes Science Center, Center for Innovation in STEM Education (CISE), as well as the Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES).
Machinist, Welder. Dan worked for a long time in the manufacturing and metal casting industries inventing, designing, building and making stuff. In these industries, Dan taught as much as he knew to others and learned as much as he could from others. He currently teaches traditional and digital fabrication techniques to anyone interested, especially in his job at The Museum of Science and Industry Wanger Family Fab Lab, and as a member at two Chicago area hackerspaces: SSH:C and PS:One. He also enjoys learning various new skills from others. He can’t wait to see what the future of designing and making stuff is going to be like. Most recently he hs been helping people to start, maintain, and run Makerspaces and Fab Labs of their own.
Suzanne Miller-Moody has taught middle school and high school science since 1997. Her first college degree, a B.A in Biology, came from the University of Delaware. She earned her second degree, a B.S. in Biology Education, from the University of Maryland – College Park. She began her teaching career with middle school students in the schools outside of Washington, D.C. and switched to teaching high school students when she and her husband moved to California. Her expertise has been cultivated through various venues starting with museum education as a college student, moving to outdoor education as a college graduate, before finally settling into a classroom setting in both public and private institutions.. Her current role as the 49ers STEM Leadership Institute Biology teacher is seen as another opportunity to teach in a less traditional format and to experience exciting STEM opportunities.
Ryan Moreno is a father of 3, and Administrator/S.T.E.M. Educator at REM Learning Center, an NAEYC accredited independent school and Maker Corps Host Site. Ryan earned a B.S. (2001) and Ph.D. (2006) in Mechanical Engineering from FIU. He also holds an Advanced Florida Director’s Credential. In 2005, while participating in NASA’s ESMD Summer Research Opportunities at KSC, Ryan became aware of the shortage of graduates in S.T.E.M. fields, and felt he could help close the gap from an early age. He has been doing S.T.E.A.M. related activities with children ages 4 to 9yrs ever since. He is co-creator and the School Fab Lab Manager for the Play Make Share program. Ryan has collaborated on the topic of Making in early childhood education with PPFMoS and local organizations, and co-presented at regional (FLAEYC2014) and national (NAEYC2014, MPW2014) conferences
Sarah is the Coordinator and Lab Manager for MC 2 STEM’s Mobile Fab Lab in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She grew up in Northeast Ohio and studied Mathematics at Kenyon College before moving to New York City to earn a master’s in Secondary Mathematics Education from NYU and begin her teaching career. As a Math for America Fellow and Master Teacher she spent seven years teaching at the NYC iSchool where she honed her craft in Math, Maker and Mastery Education, teaching project based and maker courses including Bridge Building, Paper Engineering, Pop-up Book Design and Mathematical Art. In her current role, Sarah travels with the Mobile Fab Lab (MFL) to a different school each week to expose young students to the wonders of digital fabrication. Sarah also works with teachers in the district to create and implement PBL learning experiences that incorporate a Fab project. Find more information at CleMobileFabLab.com.
Brandon Prentice is a technology educator, mentor, and manager for the IU1 Fab Lab program. He’s a hands-on generalist when it comes to construction technology, engineering, manufacturing, and graphic design. You can find him on Twitter talking about Fab Lab conventions, community events, student projects, and other lab experiences.
Sonya Pryor-Jones is the Chief Implementation Officer for the Fab Foundation. In partnership with Sherry Lassiter, Sonya is charged with supporting the next iteration of Dr. Neil Gershenfeld’s work, and the strategic endeavors of the organization.
Sonya manages signature projects for the Fab Foundation including the Brilliant Career Labs, SCOPES-DF, and partnerships with Chevron, The GE Foundation, Adam Savage and Tested.com, The Boston Celtics, and DARPA.
Sonya received a B.A. in International Studies and History from Kenyon College, and a M.Ed. in Education from Cleveland State University. She also holds Certificates in Executive Education and Appreciative Inquiry from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Lisa is the Associate Director of STEM and Informal Learning at the Bay Area Discovery Museum. She leads initiatives, such as the Fab Lab and “Try It Truck” while leveraging the Center for Childhood Creativityճ research base to support the creative development of children. As the Deputy Director of Maker Ed, Lisa advanced partnerships with educators, organizations, and researchers to support a growing network, committed to broadening participation in making. Prior to Maker Ed, Lisa developed STEM content and ran a national outreach program for two Twin Cities Public Television Emmy-Award winning series, SciGirls and DragonflyTV: Nano. Lisa also spent several years working at the Museum of Science, Boston and the Da Vinci Science Center in PA. Lisa received a BS in Chemistry and a BA in Theater from Lehigh University before earning her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Florida.
Brent joined BakerRipley from the Children’s Museum of Houston, where he was Maker Education Manager. He founded a do-it-yourself home dcor and renovation website, Gray House Studio Р, which has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping and more. He is a Bob Vila Academy Professor. Brent holds a Master of Fine Arts in Art and Technology from the University of Oklahoma, and has exhibited artwork internationally.
Teresa teaches high school engineering, 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) and VEX robotics at the Lamar County Center for Technical Education (LCCTE). She served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow (AEF) in the US House of Representatives and in the Congressional Maker Caucus. She previously taught physics, Chemistry, Engineering, and Research at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. While there, she spearheaded the addition of Introduction to Engineering into the school’s curriculum. Teresa earned a Masters in Science Education and a Bachelors in Chemistry-Physics Education from Mississippi State University. Sappington achieved National Board Certification in 2008.
Eleanor J. Salzbrenner is enjoying her fifth year of teaching English- Language Arts with Cleveland Metropolitan School District; this is her first year with MC2 STEM High School, a STEM, project-based, mastery learning campus. She was a founding member of JFK E3agle Academy, a mastery-based, blended learning school which partners with the Carnegie Foundation and RAND Corporation. There she helped to develop a backwards design curriculum following mastery model principles, and had the honor in 2016 of receiving The Excellence in Teaching Award from CMSD, an accolade which “recognizes teachers who demonstrate instructional expertise, creativity and innovation in their classrooms; who make learning engaging, vibrant and relevant for students; and whose work and accomplishments serve as an inspiration for all teachers.” She is looking forward to applying her subject knowledge and skill sets at MC2 STEM High School, growing as an educator, and continuing her journey dedicated to personalized learning for all students.
Dr. Daniel Smithwick serves as the SCOPES-DF Master Fabricator. He works collaboratively with experts in STEM education to build and share new fabrication knowledge and inspire the next generation of digital fabricators.
Dan is a scholar in design, computation, and cognitive sciences having published on these topics and more in both academic journals and popular press. He has taught classes on digital design and fabrication at MIT, Rhode Island School of Design, and the Boston Architectural College.
Dan was trained as an architect at the University of Minnesota (BS Architecture) and completed research degrees at MIT (MS Design Computation, PhD Design Computation). Dan and his family live in Somerville, Massachusetts and for fun Dan plays drums in an 80’s cover band.
Kim Stanley has been an educator for the past 17 years. Born in North Canton, OH, Kim grew up in South Florida and graduated from Jupiter High School. Kim received her Bachelor’s degree from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC and her teaching certification from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Kim has been an English teacher for 17 years and a Lead teacher for the past two years. Kim is one of the founding teachers for STEM School Chattanooga. Throughout her years of teaching, Kim has focused on implementing new strategies in the classroom, utilizing technology in the classroom, and most importantly, building long lasting relationships with her students. Kim has also been an instructor for Hamilton County teachers in the area of Project Based Learning (PBL) as well as a leader for Professional Development. Teaching at a platform school has enabled Kim to successfully implement new and exciting lesson plans in the classroom and share those successes with her colleagues.
Brian Tang is a social innovator, educator and lawyer. As founder of Hong Kong-based Young Makers & ChangeMakers, Brian has pioneered young maker education since 2014 through Hong Kongճ summer MakerCamp at 5 different venues, workshops as part of Hong Kongճ Maker Faire, a Star Wars Hour of Code and mini Young Makeathons. YMCM has also conducted young maker STEAM education teacher training for Teach4HK; is a key member of the Google CS First Hong Kong Network and created the TechnovationHK: #GirlsMakeTech program.
David Vanzant comes from the professional work force where he worked as an industrial sales engineer for two years upon completion of his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has been the chemistry teacher at STEM School Chattanooga since 2015. He is currently enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to receive his masters in education during the Fall 2017 semester. He is also currently enrolled in a graduate chemistry program from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
David is committed to improving STEM education, particularly science education, one PBL at a time. Engaging projects, a flipped classroom scaffolding, and inquiry-based lab experiments make up the cornerstone of his classroom structure.
Dr. Sue Williamson has been a classroom educator for 17 years. Born and raised in New Hampshire, she received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Emory University. After working in the insurance industry for several years in New York City, Richmond VA and Los Angeles, CA she pursued a mid career change to education. In addition to obtaining her teaching credentials, she has a Master’s Degree and Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Georgia Southern University.
Sue spent 13 years in Georgia as a gifted endorsed teacher of middle grades english/ language arts, social studies and mathematics as well as high school mathematics. Her strong interest in differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all students led her to co-create and lead a professional development course for middle and high school regular and special education teachers on differentiation and collaboration in the co teaching classroom.
During her four years at STEM School Chattanooga, Sue has collaborated to create and implement cross curricular and single subject Problem Based Learning units of study. She has also facilitated professional learning of PBL for district wide teachers. Her strong interest in encouraging other educators to grow in their field has led to her participation in the Hamilton County Schools Teacher Think Tank, an innovative initiative to develop a more impactful system of professional learning and teacher recognition.
Liz was hired before the lab was built in order to develop the space, staff, programming, outreach, and funding for this STEM based digital makerspace. Liz was also the recipient of the Chevron STEM Educator Award for 2016 as well as the Carnegie Science Center Impact Award.
From a very early age, it was apparent that Alethea Campbell did not learn like everyone else. While other students could recite newly memorized vocabulary or follow lengthy verbal instructions, she struggled to keep up with her peers. Some of these early educational experiences left her feeling demoralized. However, all of that changed, when she discovered a train set in the basement of a WWII chemical-waste disposal specialist. This war veteran was Alethea’s grandpa, and the corner of his 1500 square foot basement became her sanctuary. She quickly discovered that while working with her hands, tinkering with train cars, she was able to problem solve creatively.
Alethea has worked in a variety of positions ranging from teaching photography to high-risk youth, to developing technology workshops for blind and deaf customers at Apple, instructing vinyasa flows of hot yoga, to work for higher education institutions, teaching algebra to sixth graders, and developing a constructivist curriculum for refugee and immigrant youth.
The power of making for herself and others has become a driving force in her life to make a transformation in the world of education. Her passion for art, design, science, and technology led her to the maker world. Experiencing the joys of making, she saw the power of sharing how to use an Arduino or create a 3D Model using CAD software, can change a young person’s world. Alumni of Smith College, she graduated from Harvard Graduate School of Education and earned a Master’s of Education degree in Technology, Innovation, and Education. Alethea is a maker, creator, innovator, an educator, and a learner. And, so excited to be a Fab Foundation, Program Manager of the GE Brilliant Career Lab Programs.
Aidan Mullaney is the Instructional Manager for the GE/Celtics Brilliant Play Lab. His primary role with the Fab Foundation is developing and delivering curriculum for the middle school mobile lab. Aidan facilitates career-related activities with a focus on STEM in sports and supports course work for partnering schools, working with teachers to integrate the BPL lessons into school curriculum.
I run the Cleveland Mobile Fab Lab of MC2 STEM High School. I work with K-8 teachers in the Cleveland Metro School District to expose young learners to the wonders of Digital Fabrication through fun, artistic, STEM projects. Previously, I taught math and maker ed classes at the NYC iSchool. Find out more at CLEmobilefablab.com and iSchoolpolymath.com and find us on twitter @clemobilefablab
Before becoming the manager of the Brilliant Career Lab, Brian leveraged his 18 years as a public school educator to open an integrated maker space at the heart of a STEM elementary school. During his career he has also worked to train new teachers at the collegiate level and provide professional development on inquiry based instructional techniques. Brian is passionate about creating student centered spaces that integrate and enhance learning for all students.