The Lone Nut

FABLAB Mahtomedi Transforming A Classroom

MIT-What is a FABLAB? Dr. Neil Gershenfeld Dr. Neil Gershenfeld

FABLAB Mahtomedi A FABLAB is a way to give users around the world the ability to locally imagine, design, develop, fabricate and test almost anything using state of the art digital equipment and software. A FABLAB is a way to give users around the world the ability to locally imagine, design, develop, fabricate and test almost anything using state of the art digital equipment and software. First in a K-12 public school First in a K-12 public school One of 22 MIT accredited labs in the US One of 22 MIT accredited labs in the US One of 42 Global Labs connected via Polycom units One of 42 Global Labs connected via Polycom units

Why a FABLAB? As the nation shifts into a new, non- industrial economy, we will need a well- trained, technically competent workforce to manage and staff the science and technology businesses that create the high-paying jobs. Our future depends on the strength of our scientific spine.” Mort Zuckerman, US News and World Report

Written by Josh Douglas, Eric Iversen, and Chitra Kalyandurg 2004 The American Society for Engineering Education America’s progress has been synonymous with innovation….and is inextricably tied to a technically literate society and an engineering-minded workforce. Unfortunately, these are two key areas in which our education system fails to meet the mark. The good news is that a solution can be found in our K-12 classrooms. America’s progress has been synonymous with innovation….and is inextricably tied to a technically literate society and an engineering-minded workforce. Unfortunately, these are two key areas in which our education system fails to meet the mark. The good news is that a solution can be found in our K-12 classrooms.

Classroom vs. Lab-needed new space to match new vision We envision an exciting world-class engineering program that empowers our students to solve future challenges by sparking curiosity, fueling creativity and instilling a lifelong passion for innovation We envision an exciting world-class engineering program that empowers our students to solve future challenges by sparking curiosity, fueling creativity and instilling a lifelong passion for innovation

Created a Movement Took advantage of high school reno Took advantage of high school reno and wanted STEM space and wanted STEM space Discovered FABLAB concept Discovered FABLAB concept Admin., local, and corporate support Admin., local, and corporate support

TRANSORMATIVE SPACE 21ST LEARNNG SKILLS-the 4 C’s: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. We’ve adding a 5 th C: CURIOSITY Wanted students to ask: what can be done in here? Wanted students to ask: what can be done in here? Unique Design in 3 parts: Woods/metals, Digital and Design Labs (thank you Dr. Simenson from Century College) Unique Design in 3 parts: Woods/metals, Digital and Design Labs (thank you Dr. Simenson from Century College) Community expert as instructor Community expert as instructor First names creates casual, open environment First names creates casual, open environment Students are partners in their education-teacher as student and student as teacher Students are partners in their education-teacher as student and student as teacher

TRANSORMATIVE SPACE Lab coats create atmosphere of relevance and value Lab coats create atmosphere of relevance and value Interesting lighting-lots of daylight, task and general lighting Interesting lighting-lots of daylight, task and general lighting Physical space: interesting colors, clean and bright, art work, unique tables and chairs, form meets function Physical space: interesting colors, clean and bright, art work, unique tables and chairs, form meets function Girls feel welcome and are comfortable Girls feel welcome and are comfortable Artist contributions-FABLAB design team-new design lab by students Artist contributions-FABLAB design team-new design lab by students Cell phones are important tools, Google websites for class work Cell phones are important tools, Google websites for class work Technology and equipment for college level courses Technology and equipment for college level courses Polycom for global communication Polycom for global communication

Students Report on the 4 C’s and how the new space piqued their interest and learning Report on the 4 C’s and how the new space piqued their interest and learning

TECH DEPARTMENT Involve them early and often Involve them early and often High tech needs and demands High tech needs and demands

Questions

Remember Be the lone nut Be the lone nut Follow a lone nut Follow a lone nut CREATE A MOVEMENT CREATE A MOVEMENT

Contact info Mary George Mary George Tonya Kostuch Tonya Kostuch Website: Website: