Fabulous Fabrication: Fab Lab

Our email and Facebook notice graphic, ICYMI. Remember to open your member emails and follow us on Facebook.

The first bit of education came about while we were waiting for our STUG field trip to start. Looking around, I said to Board Director Prabhav Govindu “Wow, this really IS fabulous!” He agreed but said “It’s really Fabrication Lab”.

Which made total total sense during our hour-and-a-half tour he took members on. Laser cutting machines for wood and metal. Vinyl cutting machines and printers and a giant press iron for embellishing T-shirts. Classrooms for elementary and middle school students to learn STEAM lessons.

Prabhav showing the group a middle-school project as well as a marble slab engraved onsite.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. (They added the A to the original STEM in response to feedback saying education in STEM is great, but blending technical subjects with arts (visual arts, music, design, humanities) will encourage creative thinking.

Ten STUG members enjoying their “field trip” to Suncoast Science Center.

The 3D printers were a fascinating attraction. There’s also a full woodworking room, classrooms full of craft materials for the youngest students, and take-home science kits, delivered and retrieved by Fab Lab volunteers to public and private schools and even homeschooler events.

A gracious and knowledgeable guide fielding questions right and left.

Best news for our members? Supporting Suncoast Science Center with your membership also allows you to use any of their equipment by appointment, free instructions and guides as needed. Here’s where to become a member.