About

Dr. Andrew Bruening is a STEM educator, maker, and innovation leader with more than two decades of experience building education‑to‑career pathways at the intersection of science, engineering, and digital fabrication. Drawing on roles as Chief Innovation Officer and Director of Fabrication Lab at the PAST Foundation, he has led the creation of statewide initiatives such as Portable Innovation Labs, which enable educators across Ohio to access fully equipped STEM labs with tools, materials, and curriculum at no cost. He also designed and implemented three industry‑recognized credential courses in fabrication, embedded systems, and advanced digital manufacturing for high school students, alongside a robust suite of informal K–12 STEM programs in areas such as CAD and 3D printing, underwater robotics, drones, and wearable “techno‑fashion.”

For more than 17 years, Andy has coached students and educators in engineering design, problem‑solving, and teamwork, with a particular focus on robotics. He has led FIRST Robotics Competition teams and directed FIRST LEGO League and related events for over a decade, giving him deep experience in building sustainable teams, organizing high‑impact tournaments, and using competition frameworks to develop real‑world skills. This work informs his coaching approach with schools and districts: helping them move beyond “one‑off” teams toward robotics and engineering programs that are embedded in curriculum, inclusive of diverse learners, and connected to authentic STEM pathways.

Before launching his consulting work, Andy was a founding lead science and engineering teacher at Metro Early College High School, where he co‑created integrated STEM curricula and early‑college experiences in partnership with Battelle Memorial Institute and The Ohio State University. His projects include large‑scale, interdisciplinary efforts like Garbology, which engaged thousands of students in systems thinking, environmental science, and service learning. A frequent presenter at national venues including NSTA, NSF’s STEM Smart, and Smithsonian convenings, Andy is known for turning emerging technologies and complex STEM ideas into practical, classroom‑ready experiences that prepare students for real careers. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of South Carolina and a B.S. in Marine Science from Eckerd College, and he has completed advanced training through Fab Academy and MIT Sloan’s Mastering Design Thinking program.