STEM, STEAM, makerspaces, fab labs…these are buzz words in the education world but what do they mean and why are they important? Let’s break it down.

What is STEM and STEAM? STEM is an acronym for four subject areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. In 2013, STEM evolved into STEAM, which includes A for Art. Art was added because of the natural connection between analytical subjects like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math and the creative subjects of the Arts. Think about it. Professions such as graphic design, animation, product design, architecture, and even landscaping require both artistic and technical skill sets. For example, an architect cannot bring a creative vision to life without the technical knowledge of 3D modeling and computer-aided design. The addition of Art is also significant because it makes STEM subjects more accessible and relatable for students who may not initially be drawn to those areas. Despite the addition of Art almost a decade ago, STEM and STEAM remain generally interchangeable.

Why are STEM and STEAM important? Although the emphasis on STEM/STEAM education is not a new trend, it continues to be important for several reasons. First, STEM/STEAM disciplines help students learn widely applicable skills for success including critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Second, STEM/STEAM disciplines give students knowledge to better understand and navigate the world around them, from the science behind the food they eat to the technology in their smart phones. Finally and perhaps most importantly, according to the US Department of Commerce, STEM occupations grew three times faster than non-STEM occupations over the past decade. Therefore, the future of the US economy and innovation relies on a pipeline of STEM/STEAM-savvy students.

What are makerspaces and fab labs? Makerspaces, fab labs, hackerspaces, maker hubs…the list goes on. There are slight differences between these terms but generally they describe spaces designed for “making” and can be found in schools of all levels, libraries, museums, and community centers. There are even makerspaces in people’s garages, mobile makerspaces in trailers, and mini makerspace carts in classrooms. These spaces can include everything from computer-controlled fabrication machines, traditional hand tools, electronics components, and AV equipment to sewing machines, virtual reality equipment, recyclables, and craft supplies. In the education world, these spaces are often used to provide creative hands-on learning opportunities, encourage teamwork and collaboration, teach technical skills, and promote cross-disciplinary learning experiences.

Why are makerspaces and fab labs important? Makerspaces are important because they contrast the traditional classroom experience. The ideal makerspace experience reflects more of a professional setting than the traditional classroom. For example, students are often presented with an open-ended design challenge or problem to solve within a set of criteria and constraints. Successfully completing the challenge or solving the problem requires teamwork, iteration, giving and receiving feedback, flexibility, and can even emphasize practical skills such as budgeting and time management. Furthermore, students must leverage different skills from different team members. A well-executed makerspace helps students learn these real-world skills and sets them up for success, regardless of the career path they choose.

Let’s Do a Fab Lab Together

Palmer Hamilton’s PHabLAB spaces are innovative project-based learning (PBL) environments that incorporate exploration in digital fabrication, creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving.

PHabLAB Process Brochure

Over the past decade, the use of 3D printing in education exploded in popularity. While schools quickly jumped on the trend, educators often struggle to use 3D printers as an effective learning tool in the classroom. Fortunately, the 3D printing process incorporates several relevant real-world skills that can be easily emphasized in the classroom.

1. Spatial Reasoning Spatial reasoning, or the ability to think about objects in three dimensions, is a critical skill in fields such as science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Even though children begin to develop spatial reasoning skills as babies and toddlers, schools rarely emphasize it until after elementary school. Computer-aided design, the step in the 3D printing process when a three-dimensional digital model is created, requires spatial reasoning. For young students or students new to 3D printing, they can begin by designing in a beginner-friendly computer-aided design program such as Tinkercad. Successfully designing an object in Tinkercad requires students to view their design from multiple angles, manipulate simple shapes, and move shapes within an XYZ plane.

2. Fine Motor Skills Fine motor skills, or the coordination of small muscle movements, are important for the completion of everyday and academic tasks. Writing with a pen or pencil, tying shoelaces, flipping the pages of a book, and coloring within the lines are all examples of fine motor skills. Fine motor skills can be emphasized in multiple steps of the 3D printing process including during prototyping, computer-aided design, and post-processing as students build models with their hands, control a mouse or keypad, or paint their 3D printed object.

3. Computer and Technology Literacy The 3D printing process is also an effective way to teach computer and technology literacy skills. The computer-aided design step requires students to use some type of design software where they can practice everything from keyboarding to saving and downloading files. 3D printing itself provides opportunities for students to learn about hardware, operate a machine, follow safety procedures, and oftentimes navigate cloud-based software. Learning the computer and technology literacy skills associated with 3D printing opens the door to career paths including product design, manufacturing, and engineering.

Focusing on the skills above not only enhances the value of 3D printing as a tool for learning but can also provide clarity and a starting point for educators struggling to implement 3D printing in their classroom.

Let’s Do a Fab Lab Together

Palmer Hamilton’s PHabLAB spaces are innovative project-based learning (PBL) environments that incorporate exploration in digital fabrication, creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving.

PHabLAB Process Brochure

So, it’s summertime. You have a fab lab or maker space equipment. School is out or summer camps are starting. What do you do to make the best use out of your equipment and space? Well…. It is summertime. Why not make some summer fun out of the space? Summer is a time for fun in the sand, the sun, and sandals. With a little bit of creativity and tinkering, you can make the most out of your fab lab during the summertime!

3D Printing

Imagine you are at the beach with your family and friends. Wouldn’t it be neat if you could build your own sandcastle out of custom molds you created? You can do just that with 3D designing and printing. Using Tinkercad, you can design your own sandcastle molds. In my example, I created a sandcastle mold out of cylinders and a cone. The opportunities for molds are as endless as your imagination. If you can think it or dream it, you can make it reality. Follow these simple steps to get started:

1. Develop an idea for the type of mold you want.
2. Sketch it out or start designing in Tinkercad.
3. Remember, your objects need to be hollowed out to fill with sand. To learn how to make a solid object into a hollow object, watch this video we created. It will show you how to hollow out a cone. You can use that same concept for other objects as well.
4. Finalize your mold and print!

Laser Cutting

Another fun project to do in the summer when everyone is drinking ice-cold drinks to cool off is cork or wood coasters. Drink coasters are an easy laser engraving project that can give you custom, unique coasters for your cold drinks that may sweat onto other surfaces. Make it special by using photos of family and friends to engrave onto your coasters. Follow these simples steps to get started:

1. Find or create an image to engrave
2. Purchase or repurpose wood or cork coasters. I prefer cork due to its ability to flex and absorb moisture well.
3. Use your Laser Cutting/Engraving software to load your project and engrave your coasters.
4. Enjoy your cold drink without worrying about the moisture. No Sweat!

Opportunities are endless…

The number of projects you can do are as endless as your imagination. For example, I had a kitchen drawer break and the rail support I needed was no longer produced. So, I grabbed a caliper and began taking measurements. I used my Dremel 3D45 to print the object in PLA and I now have a functioning kitchen drawer. Use your imagination and creativity to make your summer fun and productive!

Let’s Do a Fab Lab Together

Palmer Hamilton’s PHabLAB spaces are innovative project-based learning (PBL) environments that incorporate exploration in digital fabrication, creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving.

PHabLAB Process Brochure

Laser cutters were created over half a century ago, but the skills learned from it continue to gain importance into the 21^st century. The use of laser cutters in modern and future industry is growing. The automotive, medical, aerospace, and fashion design industry are a few of the many industries using laser cutters. The laser cutters provide students with applicable skills in modern industry within an educational environment.

• Failure as a learning tool – Project based learning uses the design process to emphasize failure can be an option to accomplish the end-goal of a product design. Design process is the cyclical process of problem solving by designing and iterating a solution until the desired outcome is achieved. It IS rocket science. Elon Musk’s SpaceX program had numerous rocket launch failures before successfully returning re-usable rockets to a platform floating at sea. Failure is an important learning tool for real-world problem solving and can be used in everyday life or in rocket science.
• Production Efficiency – Production efficiency is the economic term associated with optimizing production to gain the most output in an efficient manner. This process involves reducing wasted material, minimizing redundant operations, and making the most out of every second of time. For example, a sheet of metal that is to be laser cut to create the same part numerous times could have the design placed in a manner that reduces wasted space/material. In terms of real-world skills, companies are constantly trying to find ways to be more efficient while maintaining quality. Efficiency is important to employers across the globe.
• Creative design skills – Before you can laser cut, you need a design. The design can be as simple as hand-drawn art or as complex as a vector image design using illustrative software or CAD software. The product can be as simple as a laser engraved wooden ornament or as complex as a laser-cut bar stool. Designing the product to be engraved/cut is the first step in any production process.

While we have limited the article to three skills, the list is endless. The take-away should be that laser cutters are not just a tool for hobbyists to create cool, chic products for an Etsy store. Laser cutting teaches life-long, real-world applicable skills that employers in numerous industries are seeking in their employees. Skills that will produce the next Elon Musk or Vera Wang.

Let’s Do a Fab Lab Together

Palmer Hamilton’s PHabLAB spaces are innovative project-based learning (PBL) environments that incorporate exploration in digital fabrication, creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving.

PHabLAB Process Brochure