Review Fix chats with Amanda Grutza about her work with Excelsior and her appearance at this year’s Maker Faire Coney Island.
Review Fix: What do you make?
Amanda Grutza: I make learning feel like a can’t-miss experience. Using open-source software and low-cost, recycled and/or easily accessible hardware, I create learning experiences and spaces so humans of all ages can engage with technology!
Review Fix: Why do you make it?
Grutza: From creating applications and robots to building out community spaces or even enterprise tech consultations, my goal is to make technology accessible for everyone. I believe people have a limitless capacity to push the boundaries of what can be done when equipped with the right tools. From typing to A.I., our society demands that individuals be digitally literate to succeed in the modern workforce. My job is to ensure that people not only get to that level, but are comfortable, confident, and able to thrive.
Review Fix: What are your goals with it?
Grutza: I want to ensure that every child has access to the best technological tools and education that exists. I want to set up students from underserved backgrounds for success and empower them to become the STEM superheroes they have the ability to be! I also want to disrupt the way we train and learn as adults, creating substantial learning content and methodologies, so we can actually engage in authentic experiences as opposed to slogging through content that is irrelevant and mundane.
Review Fix: What do you plan on doing at this year’s Maker Faire?
Grutza: This year at Makerfaire we will be showcasing the power that microcontrollers contain, with a very fun, top-secret, hackable RFID-based game! Contenders are able to compete for tech prizes, such as high-end equipment for gaming rigs! We will also be showcasing a variety of interesting machinery, built by our team and fashioned with fabrication machines including 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNCs. We are big fans of lights and robots at Excelsior, so if you are too, or you want to test your skills at a first of its kind hackable laser game, come by and see us!
Review Fix: Where can people find out more?
Grutza: www.amandagrutza.com
Review Fix: What’s next?
Grutza: Currently working on a maker-based scouts program for both local NYC kids with the long term goal of expanding nationwide to students in low-income and rural areas in order to help bridge the digital divide. We are also crafting technological programming for educators, and building out a few enterprise PRDs to create cohesive community engagement and deployment software. And we are always interested in working on new projects, especially those that are tricky or seemingly solution-less :)”
About Maker Faire Coney Island:
Maker Faire Coney Island is a one-of-a-kind interactive event that celebrates the ingenuity and passion of makers across diverse disciplines. With a rich lineup of exhibits, workshops, and demonstrations, the event promises to inspire, educate, and entertain attendees of all ages. The event is set to take place from October 6-8, 2023, at various iconic venues within Coney Island.
Get Your Tickets Now: Ticket Purchase
Follow us on the following social media sites for the latest updates and sneak peeks.
Website:https://coneyisland.makerfaire.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makerfaireconeyisland/
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