DFLC-USFLN Fab Lab Development Discussion Guide

DFLC-USFLN Fab Lab Development Discussion Guide

Topics- Fab Lab Development Sponsor Profiles United States Fab Lab Network (USFLN) Digital Fabrication Learning Community (DFLC) Fab Lab ( Lifecycle )Development Methodology Highlights Lifecycle Planning by Phase Lessons Learned Mentoring Sessions

USFLN Mission & Vision The United States Fab Lab Network (USFLN) promotes responsible collaboration in digital fabrication. It evolved in November 2009 from the regional Midwest Fab Lab Network (MFLN, formed in December 2006). The mission of the USFLN, in the spirit of the MIT Fab Charter, is to support digital and personal fabrication in academics, business, and community outreach: In academics, the USFLN encourages Fab Labs to engage students and teachers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. In business, it promotes invention, entrepreneurship, and skills needed for a 21st-century global economy. In community outreach, it makes resources available to empower underserved and non-traditional populations. The USFLN fosters innovation and creativity that contributes to the nation's well-being. Membership is open to ANY person and any organization that follows the MIT Fab Charter.

U.S. Fab Lab Network 5 Year Strategic Plan Our Core Values: Experimentation We believe experimentation is the key to invention and overall economic sustainability for the U.S. Hands-On Learning We strongly value and support hands-on learning. Open Access People of all ages and backgrounds should have open access to space, equipment, and technology among people of all ages and backgrounds. Collaboration We believe collectively, we can do more than any one can accomplish alone. Problem Solving We believe all people can help solve real world problems. Empowerment We strive to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, and the general public. Creativity We believe that all people have creative talent. Achievement We believe Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education can be fun and attainable for all, not just engineers and scientists.

U.S. Fab Lab Network 5 Year Strategic Plan 5 Year Strategic Priorities Establish a Robust Clearinghouse of Information to Support Fab Lab Growth & Development Develop Educational Support Materials Strengthen Communication & Interaction Among Fab Labs Cultivate Collaborative Projects Increase Visibility at Local, Regional, & National Levels Research & Document Impact of Fab Labs Grow Resources & Strengthen Network Administration

DFLC Project Goals & Objectives The Digital Fabrication Learning Community (DFLC) NSF ATE Project (#1104199) will establish a pilot learning community that leverages digital and personal fabrication s proven enrichment of STEM competencies and attitudes with learners and educators, while driving advanced technician development throughout the USA. To accomplish this goal, the project will integrate multiple networks of Community College & Educational Fab Labs, Digital Fabrication Experts, STEM Learning Specialists, and Next- Generation Manufacturing (NSF ATE) Centers into a USA Digital Fabrication Learning Community.

DFLC Project Goals & Objectives The objectives for the project are to: Establish the infrastructure and offerings for a pilot Digital Fabrication Learning Community that integrates Next Generation Manufacturing technician development. Develop a technology blueprint and test portal for a Digital Fabrication Learning Community to share digital fabrication curriculum and resources. Define a Digital Fabrication STEM Learning Model and evaluate ongoing impacts of digital and personal fabrication experiences on STEM learners in the pilot Digital Fabrication Learning Community. Fab Lab Learning Spiral

DFLC Resources & Offerings Fab Lab Lifecycle Planning & Development Specials Webinars Underrepresented Students Outreach Program Interim Portal & Projects Repository Regional Workshops Mentoring Program

DFLC Resources & Offerings Fab Lab Lifecycle Planning & Development Highlights Based on proven technology implementation best practices and early fab lab experiences Structured and comprehensive approach for successful fab lab planning, implementation and mentoring throughout fab lab lifecyle Virtual workshops piloted with several USFLN member organizations to support their implementation Formal DFLC Offering available to prospective fab lab organizations Fab Lab Development Process ( Lifecycle ) Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability

DFLC Resources & Offerings Webinars Past Webinars- Fab Lab Lifecycle Planning: May 20, 2011: http://elluminate.mesacc.edu/play_recording.html?recordingid=1 305309479130_1305896449359 Dec 9, 2011: http://elluminate.mesacc.edu/play_recording.html?recordingid=1 321314118460_1323443909484 The Recording password for both is: networks

Interim Portal & Projects Repository DFLC Resources & Offerings

DFLC Resources & Offerings Mentoring Program DFLC Mentoring Digital Fab Mentoring Team- Gurus Register Mentoring Requests- Candidates Mentor Matching Initial Mentoring Session Ongoing Support Fab Lab Tours Boot Camp

DFLC Resources & Offerings

DFLC Resources & Offerings Fab Lab Lifecycle Planning & Development Specials Interim Portal & Projects Repository Underrepresented Students Outreach Program Mentoring Program Regional Workshops

Highlights DFLC-USFLN Fab Lab Development Methodology Based on proven technology implementation best practices and early fab lab experiences Avoids common mistakes with technology implementations ( lets just install the stuff and we ll figure it out later ) Installation does NOT equal implementation Must focus on convergence of people, processes and technology to ensure success Structured and comprehensive approach for successful fab lab planning, implementation and mentoring throughout fab lab lifecyle Virtual workshops piloted with several USFLN member organizations to support their implementation Formal DFLC Offering- Inquiries should be sent to: info@dflc-us.org

DFLC-USFLN Fab Lab Development Methodology Fab Lab Development Process ( Lifecycle ) Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Planning Guide for each Lifecycle Phase: Key Questions Critical Considerations Resources Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability Key Questions & Considerations What do we know about Fab Labs? What Fab Labs exist or are prospective? Where and how do we discover more? What do we know about our (present, future) needs? What resources are available? How do Fab Labs, needs, and resources intersect? READ Neil s Book Define THE problem(s) to create the vision Qualify organization interest in next phase

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability Resources Master List MIT Fab Lab Central USFLN Website & Portal DFLC Grant Guides DFLC Start-up Kit Others IN-PROCESS Past Webinars: May 20, 2011: http://elluminate.mesacc.edu/play_recording.html?recordingid=13053 09479130_1305896449359 Dec 9, 2011: http://elluminate.mesacc.edu/play_recording.html?recordingid=13213 14118460_1323443909484 The Recording password for both is: networks

DFLC Resources- Guides

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability Key Questions & Considerations Identify and confirm Fab Lab Champion Identify and confirm Fab Lab Executive Sponsor Visit established Fab Lab(s) that model your vision Understand MIT Fab Lab Model & Charter Join USFLN Communicate findings to internal team Differentiate between having a fabrication laboratory and a Fab Lab What is the best way to create interest?

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability Key Questions & Considerations What would be the purpose of our Fab Lab? education/curriculum entrepreneurship/business community outreach technology research/application Who are the users? Age (children, youth, adult, seniors) Location (local, regional, national,) Gender Minorities (racial, ethnic, Special interests (disabled, economic, professions Financials Creativity

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability Key Questions & Considerations Vision & Mission Goals & Objectives Curriculum emphasis Outreach strategy Candidates for Fab Lab team? Staffing- Roles & Responsibilities (Appx. 2.5 FTE) Champion-Coordinator Lead Technician-Lab Manager Interns-Volunteers Candidates for Executive Sponsors? Industry Supporters? High-level Timeline? Site selection or Platform options & criteria

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability Key Questions & Considerations EXECUTIVE SPONSORSHIP & COMMITMENT Fab Lab Champion has the authority, availability and resources to succeed Who is really committed to this Fab Lab? Whose backing is critical for its launch and success? What additional support is needed? How can we qualify & formalize internal & external commitments? Starter program Soft launch Grand Opening with media

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability Key Questions & Considerations Order MIT Equipment (If from scratch) Incremental Equipment? Hardware? Software? Materials & supplies? Safety? Final staffing? Pilot phase? Learning projects? Shopbot Realities

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Key Questions & Considerations People & Equipment Safety What relevant skills do we already have? What new skills do we need to develop? Must rely on Informal Training ( Can you teach yourself? ) Leverage Train the Trainer Strategy MIT Sponsored Boot Camps? Training plan & schedule Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Key Questions & Considerations How will our Fab Lab REALLY be integrated into our organization? How will the equipment really be put to use? How will we ensure that the Fab Lab serves our purposes? Grand Opening? Portfolio of Offerings? Special Stakeholder Briefings? Marketing & Media Plan? Maintenance Sustainability

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Key Questions & Considerations Outreach Plan Scaling & Growth Plan Who will monitor Fab Lab use to keep it current? How will we show that the Fab Lab needs to be enhanced? What resources are needed for enhancement? Where will we find support for enhancement? MIT Fab Lab Version 2.0 Maintenance Sustainability

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Key Questions & Considerations What human, technical, and financial resources are needed? Who will monitor and assess conditions? Ongoing equipment expenses? Ongoing hardware expenses? Ongoing software expenses? Ongoing people expenses? Ongoing safety considerations Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability

Fab Lab Development Process Research Interest Generation Justification Planning Commitment Installation Training Implementation Enhancement Maintenance Sustainability Key Questions & Considerations What level of sustainability is necessary for the Fab Lab in your environment? What human, technical, and financial resources are needed to sustain the Fab Lab? What is the source(s) of resources to address needs? Cost recovery plans? Revenue & Expense Planning? Fab Lab Functional enhancements? ASSUME Turnover in Technical Staff WILL occur

USFLN LESSONS LEARNED

Lorain County Community College Lessons Learned - Benefits High tech equipment available to everyone Fosters creativity and innovation it is contagious! JIT instead of JIC education Fosters collaboration, sharing, synergy, and team work within the lab and among labs Collaboration with MIT and other Fab Labs around the world cultural and technical Availability of MIT and global network created circuits, designs, projects, processes, best practices, ideas, files, etc. Midwest Fab Lab Network (USFLN) Crosses boundaries of disciplines, age, race, gender, knowledge, talent, skills, etc. Supports STEM initiatives (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Allows manufacturing of products for a market of one Creation of fab-based business models (e.g. Fab Fund) Supports Entrepreneurship

Lorain County Community College Lessons Learned - Benefits Need a critical mass of users Define the Fab Lab Mission within Institution s Mission Internal projects for college tread lightly! Plan for staffing Materials management seek donations, scrap box Provide faculty from various disciplines across campus opportunities to collaborate seek grants Tool for recruitment: schools bring classes to the lab for handson STEM related activities plan for funding and resources Plan for integrating experiences and infusion into capstone classes

Century College Lessons Learned Implement the MIT Fab Lab Model Sell the idea to top administration early Tour a successful Fab Lab Involve more than the techies - STEM Involve your Geek student s.early on Secure a large enough space..interest grows quickly External Advisory Committee/Partnerships Programmatically Driven Initiatives Dedicated Laboratory Technician because of interest and growth Money was never the issue Join the USFLN

FVTC Fab Lab Perspectives Lessons Learned Assume 100% Self-sufficiency with best efforts assistance Use structured process to investigate and deploy Executive Sponsorship Team Buy-In Fab Labs are NOT a $50K proposition INSTALLATION DOES NOT EQUAL IMPLEMENTATION

Inquiries about DFLC Fab Lab Development Mentoring should be sent to info@dflc-usa.org