ROI is supporting nine digital fabrication labs in schools in the Indiana Uplands. With state-of-the-art equipment and instruction, these labs are developing a region of makers ready to excel in the next generation of advanced STEM careers.

Schools in the UpLabs Network:                                    

  • Batchelor Middle School, Monroe County Community School Corporation
  • Bloomfield Junior Senior High School, Bloomfield School District
  • Edgewood High School, Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation
  • Edgewood Junior High School, Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation
  • Jackson Creek Middle School, Monroe County Community School Corporation
  • Mitchell Junior High School, Mitchell Community Schools
  • Orleans Junior Senior High School, Orleans Community Schools
  • Shoals Elementary School, Shoals Community Schools
  • Tri North Middle School, Monroe County Community School Corporation

High-Tech Equipment for Learning & Innovation

In each of the digital fabrication labs, students have access to 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC routing, vinyl cutting, and microelectronics equipment to stimulate experiential learning, prototyping, creativity, and problem-solving activities.

Students are presented with opportunities to develop adaptive learning skills at an accelerated rate as they utilize equipment to create functional solutions to problems.

This holistic approach to learning provides students with more robust, meaningful, and transferable learning experiences.

Developing a Region of Makers


ROI’s digital fabrication labs utilize a model grounded in maker project-based learning (maker PBL).

Students explore the engineering design process, coding, and programming integrated with academic content. This learning environment, where students are encouraged to iterate and fail forward, provides them with the modern workforce skills to succeed in their future careers.

Transformative Teaching

Successfully embedding digital fabrication labs in schools requires technical skills and a pedagogical framework that fosters a rich learning environment. Educators in the Digital Fabrication Lab Pilot have received training throughout the implementation process, including how to integrate digital fabrication practices into academic content in a way that deepens students’ experience and understanding.

Innovation teams from each school are using training experiences to construct a vision for digital fabrication implementation at their school that fits the context and character of the local community. These innovation teams have become a robust network of educators working together throughout the Uplands region to reimagine education through making.                            

Questions?

Contact Emily Menkedick, Education Specialist, emily@regionalopportunityinc.org or (812) 287-8116 ext. 110.

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