Fab Lab Coventry (FLC) is a city centre resource, which builds on the City’s industrial heritage by using advanced manufacturing to give Coventry people the power to turn ideas into reality and to energise them to learn more about science, technology, engineering, enterprise, arts and maths through an accessible, fun, learning environment.
FLC is part of an international network of 450+ labs. Fab Labs began in the “Centre for Bits and Atoms” at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) and are now a global network of local labs, enabling invention by providing access to tools for digital fabrication. They work best as public private people partnerships. (www.fabfoundation.org)
FLC is a Social Enterprise supported by partners and volunteers including Coventry University, Coventry City Council, IDP Group and University of Warwick
FLC aims to improve the skills and aspirations of local people, social relations and community cohesion, realised through intergeneration skill swaps, the creation of a new education facility able to reach parts of the community other schemes cannot and a strong emphasis on addressing local challenges and making Coventry a better place to live.
What is in a Fab Lab?
Flexible manufacturing equipment within a fab lab can include:
- Laser cutter, plasma cutter, water jet cutter, knife cutter: sheet material cutting;
- 3-axis CNC machines: 3 or more axes, computer-controlled subtractive milling or turning machines;
- Rapid prototyper: typically a 3D printer of plastic or plaster parts;
- Printed circuit board milling: two-dimensional, high precision milling;
- Microprocessor and digital electronics design, assembly, and test stations.
Contact: Peter Coleman: Tel: 07974 984 772E: peter.coleman@coventry.ac.uk
The Imagineerium Initiative
Through the Initiative, engineers and artists and professionals from other sectors and students work together with children, teachers and young people on authentic real life commissions. The project enables earning in and through the STEM subjects through the imaginative framework of a unique creative commission. The Imagineerium Initiative is designed to practically coach the habit of invention, test new learning methods, develop career aspirations and open doors into higher and University education. Our education, city and engineering business partners are fully in support – this includes Jaguar Landrover, Network Rail, The Premier Group, Imagineer Technologies.
Festival of Imagineers
The aim for the Festival is to create a new model arts festival, celebrating creative ingenuity and charting the journeys of creative expeditionaries from all walks of life who innovate, invent and inspire, linking art, design and engineering, performances exhibitions and workshops, in 2015 30,000 people attended the Festival held in Coventry City Centre.
IMAGINEERING CLUBS
Weekly Imagineering Clubs, operating throughout the academic year, bring the Imagineering ethos and approach direct into schools. Aimed at 9-13 year olds, the Clubs are run by volunteer engineer tutors and/or teachers. Pupils are engaged with fun curriculum-based projects designed to broaden their knowledge of engineering and technology in every day life. They learn basic skills and how to use tools by making a series of make-and-take working models from simple kits all with real-life applications.
Contact: Toni Stockley, Clubs Administrator –E: admin@imagineeringfoundation.onmicrosoft.com
Website: www.imagineering.org.uk/clubs
IMAGINEERING FAIRS
Imagineering organises two major annual Imagineering Fairs – in collaboration with a number of corporate stakeholder partners. The organisations provide exciting, often bespoke, hands on activities for young visitors and their families. These provide unique opportunities for youngsters to learn at first-hand about cutting edge technology in modern companies and how young engineers got onto their career path. The stakeholders also support Imagineering at a number of other events including those aimed at schools.
Contact: Joy Smith, PR Manager & Fair enquiries – E: joy.jcm@btinternet.com
Website: www.imagineering.org.uk/fairs
STEM Ambassadors
We run the UK’s only network of STEM Ambassadors: over 30,000 brilliant and inspiring volunteers promoting STEM subjects to young learners in a vast range of original, practical and engaging ways.
They are an invaluable and free resource for teachers, helping to deliver the STEM curriculum and raise awareness of STEM careers.
Our STEM Ambassadors come from a wide range of careers and professions, including environmental scientists, civil engineers, marine biologists, medical physicists, pharmacists, energy analysts, architects and games developers.
We work hard to ensure that the population of STEM Ambassadors reflects the diversity of the population that they volunteer to support. 40% of STEM Ambassadors are women and 13% describe themselves as from BAME (Black & Minority Ethnic) backgrounds. We have enthusiastic Ambassadors from 18 to 70 years of age, with almost 60% under 35 years of age.
General enquiries: Gaynor Sharp gaynorsharp@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.stemnet.org.uk/
STEM Clubs Programme
We provide free, impartial, expert advice and support to schools that want to set up or develop a STEM Club. as a fun and rewarding way to boost enjoyment and learning across STEM, outside of the classroom. They are not designed to be about writing, tests or exams. Instead, they allow pupils to explore, investigate and discover STEM subjects in a fun and stimulating learning environment away from the constraints of the school timetable or curriculum.
STEMNET also advise on activities which are aligned with existing national programmes or competitions, such as CREST Awards, or support designing a new activity to suit your school and students.
General enquiries: Gaynor Sharp gaynorsharp@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.stemnet.org.uk/
Schools STEM Advisory Network
We deliver free advice and use our business links and partnerships to enhance the STEM curriculum in schools.
We coordinate 45 regional and local organisations which form the Schools STEM Advisory Network (SSAN). The SSAN offers free, impartial tailored advice and guidance to help schools and colleges access a range of services, resources, activities, tool kits and advice, which supports the curriculum and increases the number of students moving into further STEM education, training and development.
General enquiries: Gaynor Sharp gaynorsharp@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.stemnet.org.uk/