Research
Perspectives on Generative AI in Learning
New research paper exploring ethical boundaries and educational opportunities with AI tools in academic settings.
View Details →Mike Amato
STEM Educator | Engineer | Ed‑Tech Consultant
Taking intimidating concepts and making them tactile, playful, and deeply human. Passionate about making engineering education fun, memorable, and inclusive for all learners.
1,500+
Students Reached
200+
Kits Distributed
30+
Workshops Hosted
How I Make an Impact
Classroom Tech Integration: Helping schools integrate tech in ways that actually work for teachers and students. Not complicating it and ensuring compliance and practicality.
Project & Problem-Based Learning: From electric motor kits for distance learning to school-wide STEM events, I design experiences where students do first, while understanding.
Making as Method: I don’t just plan or manage. I make. I prototype the kits, code the tools, and run the workshops so I keep learning alongside my students and understand what teachers really need.
7+ yrs
Teaching
4+ yrs
Managing
$25k+
Awards & Grants
Coming Soon
Digital
State Standards Aligned Lesson Plan Generator
Interactive tool that helps educators create curriculum-aligned lesson plans with just a few clicks.
View Details →
Curriculum
Design and Coding a Game for an Arcade Machine
Complete project-based lesson plan for teaching programming concepts through game design.
View Details →Experience
Oct 2021 – Dec 2024
STEM Program Manager
Phoenix El. School District #1
- Designed and led project-based STEM courses for 350 students (grades 4–8), collaborating with industry experts to develop scalable hands-on STEM projects.
- Managed classroom technology for STEM Makerspace, implementing advanced tools access. Oversaw safety protocols and ensured accessibility features were compliant with UDL principles and special education requirements.
- Organized quarterly STEM events reaching 400+ students and staff, boosting engagement and showcasing real-world STEM applications.
Aug 2020 – Aug 2021
Product Manager
ElevateU
- Partnered with professors from various universities to transform traditional course materials into AI-powered digital textbooks, ensuring accessibility through UDL principles and FERPA/COPPA compliance.
- Led discovery calls with professors and managed software engineering team execution, delivering three uniquely tailored AI-enhanced courses for Spring 2021 launch.
- Conducted user feedback sessions and data analyses to improve product design and align with pedagogical best practices.
Apr 2014 – May 2020
Teaching Assistant
Fulton Schools of Engineering, ASU
- Administered lab technology systems for engineering courses, ensuring safety and learning outcomes for 100+ student workstations while maintaining compliance with university technology policies.
- Mentored 80–120 interdisciplinary students per semester in project-based assignments, integrating educational technology tools to enhance understanding of fundamental engineering concepts.
- Communicated effectively through one-on-one interactions, public speaking, pitching, and leading workshops with groups ranging from 5 to 200 participants, utilizing technology and digital collaboration tools.
Resource Library
Access articles, video tutorials, downloadable materials, and other educational resources for STEAM learning.
Curriculum
Scale Model of School
Transform your school campus into a miniature masterpiece.
Curriculum
Circuits and Electric Vehicles
Redesign and power up your own cardboard electric car.
Curriculum
Agriculture Technology
Uncover the cycles of plant life by becoming a scientist and gardener.
Curriculum
Building a Digital World
Create interactive worlds with 3D modeling, digital art, and coding.
Curriculum
Startup Club
Creating both a physical product business and a software company.
Video
What is Innovation?
Experimental learning content for the classroom.
Kids Should Make Things
Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides project plans, materials, and support to kids to create in their homes, libraries, and community spaces. Everything they make, they keep.
Support a STEM Project🧰
Kits, content, and tech
let us be there when we can't be in person.
🔥
Learning content
should be as engaging as your favorite social feed.
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Create for all kids
knowing some learn without schools, systems, or guardians.
Get in Touch
