Ruth Amos

Ruth Amos is an award-winning inventor, engineer, and author passionate about inspiring the next generation of innovators. She is best known as the co-creator of Kids Invent Stuff, a YouTube channel that brings children’s invention ideas to life with real engineering. Through engaging, hands-on builds—ranging from flame-throwing pianos to popcorn firing doorbells—Ruth makes STEM fun and accessible to young minds worldwide.

Her journey as an inventor began at just 16 when she designed Stairsteady, an assistive device for people with mobility issues, earning her the Young Engineer for Britain award. Since then, she has built a career at the intersection of creativity, engineering, and education, working on projects that showcase the power of invention.

Beyond YouTube, Ruth is a sought-after speaker, sharing insights on innovation, problem-solving, and breaking stereotypes in STEM. She has spoken at major industry events and conferences and is a confident host. She is also a passionate advocate for diversity in engineering, encouraging more young people—especially girls—to explore careers in STEM.

With her dynamic approach to making, Ruth continues to push boundaries, from setting a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest electric toothbrush to leading exciting collaborations with brands and organisations. Whether welding in the workshop or engaging audiences online, she remains dedicated to showing that anyone can be an inventor.

Speaking topics:                                                  

• 10 things I learnt from kids about innovation and the way they see the world
• #GirlswithDrills Why diversity in engineering matters
• Making your voice heard as a young entrepreneur
• Bringing a product to market – patent  and design hurdles
• Women in Engineering
• STEM and STEAM
• Innovation and Invention
• Why we should celebrate failure

Awards and accolades:

• Young Engineer for Britain 2006
• Design Most Likely To Benefit the Disabled 2006
• Design Most Likely To Benefit the Community 2006
• Young Entrepreneurs – Runner up 2006
• Derbyshire Young Achiever 2006
• Intel ISEF Science and Engineering Fair – Finalist – Represented the UK in Mechanical Engineering 2008
• Management Today 35 Under 35 – Ruth was the youngest person ever to be entered onto the list 2009
• Women of the Future – Young Star Award 2009
• Women of Achievement – by the Women of the Year Foundation 2010
• Yorkshire 42 Under 42 2010
• Future 100 Young Social Entrepreneur 2011 – Striding Out
• Network of Aspiring Women – Young Entrepreneur 2011 and Overall Winner.
• BHTA Product of the Year 2014 (StairSteady)
• Grant Thornton Faces of  Vibrant Economy 2016
• Electronic’s Weekly Brightspark 30 under 30 2018

www.ruthamos.co.uk

“A wonderful delivery of an insightful and inspiring story which demonstrated our core messaging about rising to the challenge, and the need for more inclusivity of women in the engineering and manufacturing sector.” Marsh Commercial

“Ruth spoke at our “International Woman's Day Lunch” which was relaxed, very interesting and fun.  Everyone had a great time and went away with thoughts of intrigue. 10/10 for Ruth”  Indra Sistemas

“Ruth was  amazing!   She tailored her speech for our audience and was articulate and engaging, well prepared and arrived early.  She blew our minds with the content regarding The Future of work!  She knew her stuff and the presentation flowed really well across the five areas she touched upon.  The audience were fascinated and one even went out and bought a book she recommended afterwards.  Ruth is a fantastic role model for young women.” The Firm

“Ruth’s speech/presentation met all of our requirements and we found that she related with the audience very well…. Ruth made our students, staff and guests feel extremely motivated. She was very inspiring and everybody found her speech enjoyable and interesting…Overall, we were extremely pleased with Ruth’s speech.”  Farnham Sixth Form College

“Personable and engaging. Ruth built a good rapport with the parents and young people in the audience.  Ruth’s story showed how big dreams can become realised from small ideas.  We wanted to show that at our school students could achieve in engineering. Ruth’s presentation brought to life a successful case study of how this can actually happen.  The audience really enjoyed the entire evening with some parents specifically singling out Ruth as they’re highlight of the evening.  we thought that Ruth’s overall performance was engaging and relevant.”  Discovery School

“The Writing for a Competitive World workshop was a fantastic start to Post 18 applications for our students.  Feedback from both staff and students was overwhelmingly positive and students found Ruth an inspiring presence.”  Head of Sixth Form

“Ruth is a genuine inspiration, her performance was professional, warm and very specifically appropriate. Ruth connected her talk very well to the event, was highly personable and her style of delivery perfectly suited the occasion.  Staff and students were very impressed both with Ruth’s story and her demeanour.  A highly impactful presentation”Bournemouth & Poole College

“Writing for a competitive world – workshop’  ‘Interview Skills – workshop’ – The Writing for a Competitive World workshop was a fantastic start to Post 18 applications for our students. Feedback from both staff and students was overwhelmingly positive and students found Ruth an inspiring presence.  We have booked again for next year.”King Ecgbert School

“Just a quick note to thank you again for the brilliant opening keynote for our summer school last week. You hit exactly the right tone and I received many positive comments afterwards from our students about being inspired by your talk. You explained the processes, the learning's and the issues about building the (any) business really well and to manage it so young was just amazing. So thanks for a great start to the summer school and for being a great inspiration to our students.” University of Surrey

“Thank you so much for coming to do our prize Giving on Tuesday evening.   Your talk was truly inspirational and parents, pupil and staff have not stopped talking about you!   May I take this opportunity to wish you continued happiness and success in all your endeavours and I hope it will not be too long before we welcome you again to St Catherine’s With renewed thanks and very best wishes Si Paula”

“Ruth personalifies the very essence of true Entrepreneurship..not satisfied with running a successful, flourishing, nationaly-recognised business based on a socially inclusive product she invented.  She constantly strives to help and support others in business and education..an ongoing story as inspirational as she is to everyone she meets.” Director

“Engaging, Entertaining and Exceptional! Also professional polished, inspirational and knows her stuff. Fabulous role model.”

“Ruth Amos joined us at one of our events to lead a discussion on accounting for SME's, drawing on her experience. Her approach was refreshingly practical, dynamic, and inspiring. The feedback from all the young people was overwhelmingly positive. Ruth is a great public speaker and example to all budding entrepreneurs. We definitely hope to work with her again in the future.”

“Ruth was relaxed and confident in her speech; she has a warmth and openness that engaged our students.   She also has so much energy and passion for what she does and has accomplished a lot for one so young.  I was very pleased with Ruth’s visit, having someone who was so recently in our student’s shoes, to speak, undoubtedly made an impact.  She also spent a lot of time talking to girls at the reception afterwards and I know they really enjoyed that.” Headmistress, Girls Senior School

See also:
http://www.youtube.com/kidsinventstuff

Ruth’s inspiring and motivational Ted X Cambridge speech covers the story of StairSteady and Ruth’s entrepreneurial beginnings.

My work with Invention and Kids www.kidsinventstuff.com and hosted on youtube.

Ruth in the press
http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/915845
http://www.womenoftheyear.co.uk/
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/entrepreneur/article6590897.eceh