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STEAM Education on the Go

The Mobile Fab Lab (fabrication laboratory) is one of only 50 in the United States and is designed to inspire and encourage students to pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) fields.  

Judd Pittman helps intro the Fab Lab

In 2018, there were over 300,000 STEAM/STEM related jobs in Pennsylvania, and nearly 17,000 of those jobs were unfilled. This need is so great, with projections of it continuing, that Governor Wolf's PAsmart initiative has expand to science and technology education.

Right: Judd Pittman, Special Consultant to the Secretary of Education for STEM, Pennsylvania Department of Education, helps introduce the new Mobile Fab Lab at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

What is a Mobile Fab Lab

Students practice 3D printing.

The lab itself is a transit van that transports several carts full of equipment such as 3D printers, a laser engraver, CNC router, vinyl cutter, and a variety of robotics equipment.  The Fab Lab also has laptop computers with specialized software programs to control and interact with the equipment. 

The lab will visit schools for a one-week residency and will visit regional homeless shelters on the weekends and during the summer.  A designated Fab Lab Program Coordinator accompanies the van and works with each site to provide age-appropriate curricula utilizing the equipment in ways supporting 21st century learning.  

Right: Students get to practice writing their name in 3D.

2021-2022 Mobile Fab Lab School Residency Registration is NOW OPEN

The Bucks IU Mobile Fab Lab is a transit van that contains state-of-the-art equipment and standards-aligned lessons/ activities to engage students in grades 1-8 in digital fabrication and computer science learning. The Mobile Fab Lab will visit schools for a one-week residency throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Once your week has been scheduled, the Bucks IU Mobile Fab Lab Team will work collaboratively with you to create a daily schedule, identify lessons that compliment what your students are learning, and work through the logistical preparations for your Residency.

Mobile Fab Lab School Registration 2021-2022

Complete this form and send it to Dr. Lindsey Sides (LSides@BucksIU.org) to submit your registration request.  This link shows current availability for the Mobile Fab Lab.

Support the Fab Lab

The Bucks IU is seeking partners to help guide and sustain the Mobile Fab Lab for years to come.

Fab Lab Program Coordinator introduces the ShppBot to the students

The Mobile Fab Lab Leadership Team meets throughout the year to ensure the Lab is meeting its goals, discuss sustainability plans, and celebrate the successes of the Lab.

Partnerships are built on a continuous basis - for more info click on the following link:

Fab Lab Sponsorship Information - Dec 2019

 

Thank you to our current sponsor: 
The words 'PECO - an Excelon company' with a diamond shaped graphic