Abstract: A global community and educational outreach program, Fab Lab encourages

the C­U community to design and innovate.

The second­oldest building on campus, which once served as a horse barn, is now

home to a laser engraver, 3D printers and electronic cutters as part of the Champaign-
Urbana Community Fabrication Lab. Fab Labs are a global network of local laboratories that enable innovation within a

community by providing access to modern means for invention.

What started in a classroom as an educational outreach component of the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s research into digital fabrication and

computation, the Fab Lab organization has rapidly spread all over the world.

“The class was about making anything you could imagine,” said Jeff Ginger, the director

of the Champaign­Urbana Community Fab Lab.

Ginger explained that Fab Labs are a community resource that are intended to reach to

a diverse group of individuals, not just one certain group.

Available to University staff, faculty and students, the Fab Lab is specifically open to

everyone. Younger students or groups of people, including elderly groups, can register

for summer camps and workshops held at the lab.

Summer camps at Fab Lab are designed to integrate the community into upgraded

technological advancements. One summer camp in particular teaches students how to

sew their own backpacks that are capable of charging their cellphones.

“It’s probably more artistic individuals than anything else,” Ginger said. “It’s a really cool

network of people.”

While a lot of individuals use the lab for their studies or an educational project, most

people take to the lab to create and further their passions.

Duncan Baird, senior in Engineering, works at the lab part­time and is one of the

individuals who came to the lab with a personal interest.

“I’m really into costumes and making costumes in general,” Baird said. “I actually found

the Fab Lab because I was looking for a sewing machine on campus.”

Fab Labs nationwide share core capabilities and assistance to allow individuals to

create almost anything and to share and spread those ideas.

Holly Brown, a full­time lab assistant and instructor, was studying Technical Systems

Management with a minor in Informatics when she found the lab through a class in her

minor.

“I really wanted a major with more hands­on work with tools,” Brown said. “Making is

what I really, really like to do.”

She said she first came to the Fab Lab two and a half years ago, and when she heard

they were hiring, she knew it was something she had to do.

The Fab Lab is among other institutions in Illinois that are suffering due to the budget

crisis, but Brown said she doesn’t see herself leaving.

“Regardless of if we’re paid or not, I would love to stay here,” she said. “It’s such a

unique and great environment.”

Brown is hopeful that the Fab Lab organization will continue to spread and grow, as well

as inspire.

“It’s very special and I’m hoping that more companies will adopt this model in the

future,” she said.

[email protected]