Already in love with the maker movement, Amy Zell heard its calling when Casey Shea described the Maker Empowerment Theory to a group at the Pittsburgh Fab Institute several years ago. That moment inspired the creation of the Maker Mindset Method for instructing groups learners in a manner that requires the understanding of the resourcefulness inside them and the ability to fix things through making. This method challenges the traditional education process using design thinking and constraints to assist students with rewiring that “failure is bad” concept that poor report cards propel.

A portion of Amy’s professional work includes a position with Whole Life Services in Sharon, Pa to assist individuals with disabilities in learning to use the Vally Fab Lab both for personal and competitive employment purposes. Amy is excited to promote inclusivity and equity by creating programming that helps all learners “make” together.