Page 73 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2023

GIVING BACK
Students’ imaginations are being challenged at the FABLAB withequipmentrightoutofthefuture. “Thisequipment allows students to use computer-aided design to make almost anything they can imagine,” says Director John Mundy,
PhD. “FABLABs across the world share the same foundation of machines and processes and are linked through video conferencing and online tools.”
The stationary lab is in Vancleave in Jackson County and mobile labs can travel to schools in Jackson and Harrison counties. These mobile units are 34-foot trailers with a truck and a van that are used to transport equipment to schools and community events.
The FABLAB consists of a suite of digital fabrication and rapid prototyping machines, including a large computer numerical control (CNC), router (the ShopBot), a vinyl cutter, a laser engraver, an electronics work bench, a 3D printer,
and the accompanying computers and software for design, programming, and machine communications.
“We offer free visits to schools, lesson planning support and free professional development opportunities to help make the most of each experience,” Mundy said. “We service Jackson and Harrison Counties free of charge in response to our partnerships with Chevron, Chemours, Mississippi Power and other industrial investors.”
FABLAB works with business partners to offer low-cost STEAM-based summer camps at a variety of locations.
Created through a $1.2 million grant in cooperation with the Fab Foundation, Chevron Pascagoula and Jackson County School District, the facility focuses on the integration of
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and architecture, and math) skills and equipment into the classroom curriculum.
Since FABLAB’s beginning more than 65,000 students and teachers have been served in classrooms, at the Lab and summer camps.
4700 Col. Vickrey Rd., Vancleave
228.283.3951
www.fablabjacksoncounty.org
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of FABLAB
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