Model and Strategy
The Bay Area Discovery Museum (Museum) will launch the world’s first Early Childhood Fab Lab. A Fab Lab is a high tech maker space where computers and machines (e.g. 3D printers, digital sewing machines, CNC machines, and laser cutters) enable people to learn by doing and make their ideas a reality. The Museum will be the first to pioneer meaningful use of these tools with the youngest learners: children ages 0 to 8. Through innovative educational programs, children will develop core STEM skills, including proficiency in emergent technology, electrical engineering, and computer science. This will activate the Museum’s new strategic plan and be the foundation for an international, scalable model that will be replicated through the Fab Foundation’s global learning networks. Fab Lab will also be a central resource for Bay Area children from low-income neighborhoods to spark interest in and build critical STEM skills.
Impact
TIES and the Fab Foundation selected the Museum to create the first Early Childhood Fab Lab. They will advise on the design of the space and equipment, liaise with national partners and international organizations to scale the model far beyond the Bay Area. Outcomes and curricula will be disseminated through the Fab Foundation’s Regionally, the Museum is launching a partnership with San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to implement computer science in the preschool and early elementary grades. One of only 10% of districts nationwide to adopt computer science standards, SFUSD anticipates learning from the Museum’s Fab Lab to shape a district- wide approach to the teaching of early electrical engineering and computer science. Nationally, the Museum is also in conversation with the Department of Education around incorporating Fab Lab programming around the country.
Through these channels, the Museum projects impacting 150,000 people directly and 600,000 indirectly over the next two years.
Leadership
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Karyn Flynn
CEO