Andrea started her Fab Lab career as a founding student at MC2 STEM High School in Cleveland, Ohio. This unique high school is located at GE Nela Park and the first to have a Fab Lab physically located in the school and incorporated in the curriculum. In this learning environment, Andrea gained real time hands on knowledge and experience in digital fabrication, and the day to day operations of a fabrication laboratory.
In 2010, Andrea would be one of a few student leaders to travel to regional STEM schools across the state of Ohio, introducing students and teachers to hands on digital fabrication learning opportunities. In 2011, she traveled to Lima, Peru as one of the youngest students to attend MIT’s International Fab Lab Network annual meeting and conference. Later, Andrea would manage both the MC2 STEM mobile fab lab and the new fab lab at the school’s Cleveland State University campus while in obtaining her engineering degree.
“Fab Lab is a collaborative space that promotes deeper learning and empowers students, staff, and community members to innovate, share, and make (almost) anything.
Andrea continues her engagement with MC2 STEM High School and the Cleveland School District as a trainer and technology consultant. Additionally, she works with a number of organizations including the Fab Foundation, TIES, General Electric, and the Great Lakes Science Center on a contractual basis teaching students, teachers and community members digital fabrication in Fab Labs and makerspaces across the country.
Andrea is a sought after speaker and spokesperson for minority women in STEM. Her speaking engagements have included a speech at the Ohio State Senate, interview for “Deeper Learning” book, TEDxCLE talk, GE, Chevron, U.S. News and World Report, and more. She is a BS/MS candidate at Cleveland State University in Civil Engineering and matriculating in the Fall of 2018.
I Bet You Didn’t Know
When I’m not working i enjoy spending time with my family and watching my daughter explore, create and make things!
What I Love About My Job
I love working with TIES because of the family/employee centered environment.
A Transforming Moment
My favorite TIES transformation is this most recent one to the new brand. Being apart of the behind the scenes with a surprise for Jan was especially special.