The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) is expanding the Fab Lab STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) education program once again.
Act 89 funding in support of local nonpublic schools has allowed the Bucks IU to acquire and fully outfit a second Mobile Fab Lab.
The Bucks IU is a provider of STEAM education for students and educators countywide. Based on the local demand for more STEAM programs, the Bucks IU launched its first Mobile Fab Lab in 2019. This transit van was filled with custom carts of digital fabrication and computer science equipment.
A second Mobile Fab Lab has now joined the first on the roads of Bucks County thanks to funding dedicated to supporting students enrolled in nonprofit, nonpublic schools in Bucks County. The Bucks IU recently celebrated the official ribbon cutting for this second Mobile Fab Lab on Sept. 18, 2023 at the Bucks IU’s Fab Lab Center in Warminster. Invited guests from nonpublic schools as well as local and state legislative offices joined the Bucks IU team to see the equipment and learn about the impact having this second Mobile Fab Lab will have on local nonpublic schools and their students.
Bucks IU Mobile Fab Labs are staffed by a Fab Lab Program coordinator (an educator with expertise in STEAM programs) who accompanies the van and collaborates with each school to provide age-appropriate curricula utilizing the equipment in ways supporting 21st century learning. The Mobile Fab Labs do week-long residencies at schools throughout Bucks County.
Mobile Fab Lab registrations are booked on a first come, first serve basis with every effort made to ensure that the learning is spread and shared throughout Bucks County. Registration for 2023-2024 is already at capacity, with 2024-2025 registration opening in spring 2024.
The Bucks IU also operates the Fab Lab Center, a dedicated innovation space located in Warminster. The Bucks IU Fab Lab Center offers after school clubs and STEAM Saturdays events for children, summer camps, professional development, school field trips, and more.
To learn more about the Bucks IU Mobile Fab Labs and the Bucks IU Fab Lab Center, please visit www.BucksIU.org/FabLab.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
