Fab@School: A Digital Fabrication Laboratory for the Classroom

Project Description:

Fab@School introduces K-12 students to the excitement and power of mathematical analysis and modeling, digital fabrication, and engineering by encouraging imaginative and collaborative experimentation, invention, design, and creation. Adapting a low-cost open-source emergent digital fabrication system for school use, Fab@School provides students the satisfying experience of taking their concepts-from geometric structures to simple machines to usable products-from mind's eye to physical form. A complementary curriculum aligned with school standards fosters the further development of STEM skills by posing challenges and presenting models that spur inquiry and inspire students' original designs.

Award Amount:

$185,000

Project URLs:

• http://www.DigitalFabrication.org

Project Leadership:

• 
  Glen Bull
  University of Virginia
  Charlottesville, VA

Project Collaborators:

• Pam Moran, Albemarle County Public Schools
• Gary Marks, Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE)
• Kendall Starkweather, International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA)
• Hod Lipson, Cornell University
• Dave Burghardt, Hofstra University
• Gerald Knezek, University of North Texas
• Jim French, University of Virginia
• Peggy Healy Stearns, Educational Software Design
• Paul Reynolds, FableVision Learning
• Jack Minsky, Software MacKiev
• Terry Markwart, Canon, U.S.A.
• Nick Sanham, Aspex Learning
• Kirk Pead, Silhouette Learning
• Chuck Reitzell, Graphtec America