Chelsea Gee
The Jackson County School District (JCSD) hosted the first Fab Lab Mobile Unit school visit in Vancleave, Miss., on September 7. Sixth grade students at Vancleave Upper Elementary School connected their Mississippi Studies curriculum with hands-on learning.
The Fab Lab Mobile Unit is a new technical platform designed to give students a hands-on learning experience with STEAM education. And it’s designed to add more fun into learning.
At the first school visit, Vancleave students were interactively led through computer graphics, proportional calculations and even hands-on engraving. The students learned how to use the laser engraver and make their own symbol (Magnolia tree, deer, etc.) of what Mississippi means to them. The mobile unit includes a vinyl cutter, laser cutter, 3d printer, and CNC router.
This summer, 50 JCSD teachers have been trained on the software and tools so that they can begin to integrate the Fab Lab mobile unit into their lesson planning.
In April, Chevron and Fab Lab partnered to create this $1.2 million project. The mobile unit will be making school and community stops throughout Jackson County, and the permanent location is expected to be complete by early 2018.
For more information on Fab Lab, visit fablabjacksoncounty.org
