Explore the 2019 Chevron STEM Education Award Lessons
Fabricating turtles to understand turtles
This activity includes a “hands on” strategy that mixes the use of two different digital fabrication tools (laser cut and 3D printing) and silicon mold, to produce replicas of animals…
Fabstory
Make the Fabstory Blocks Initial story. Tell to the participants an initial story using the Fabstory blocks Technique 1: What would happen if…. On a brainstorming ask 3 questions than…
Uncovering a Hidden History – The Lives of African Americans During Reconstruction
Students will respond to research about the lives of African Americans during the Reconstruction era. This era was a critical time that laid the groundwork for many social issues we…
IN THIS COLLECTION
This collection includes 4 lessons from our first, second, and tied third place winners. These lessons cover ecology, history, science, and the arts. The lessons were designed for students in grades 7-12 for communities all around the world. The educators in the collection teach in formal and informal education settings in Brazil, Mexico, Ghana, and the United States.
about THE CHEVRON STEM AWARD
Chevron has partnered with the Fab Foundation since 2016 to celebrate educators using STEM and digital fabrication for student learning. There have been over 160 submissions for the STEM Award to date, and Chevron has awarded $40,000 to educators who are creating lessons and activities for their students and sharing them with the Fab Foundation network worldwide.
Chevron and the Fab Foundation are using this award to highlight people in the network who are making a change and doing amazing work to impact the lives and livelihoods of children and youth around the world.
“Chevron is committed to investing in STEM education to encourage students and community members to be the innovators and makers of the future.”
Janet Auer, Advisor, Education and Corporate Programs at Chevron
Recreating the Past: Using 3D Printing to Explore the Legacy of Tiridates III the Great
This lesson bridges history and technology by using a 3D-printed replica of the crown of King Tiridates III the Great, the Armenian king who made Christianity the official religion of…
August 29, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Automata: Deep Dive
This lesson introduces learners to the fascinating world of automata; kinetic sculptures powered by simple mechanical systems. Through hands-on fabrication using laser cutters, vinyl cutters, and 3D printers, learners will…
August 25, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Casting & Molding: Deep Dive
Learners will design a two-part, two-step mold from scratch using a blank xDesign template.
August 25, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box 3D Printed Trick Dice: Deep Dive
Learners will be designing dice that roll unfairly, on purpose! They’ll be using xDesign to engineer internal features that shift the weight of a die, affecting how it rolls.
August 25, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Spinning Tops: Deep Dive
Learners will experiment with physics while designing and fabricating a custom modular spinning top with interchangeable parts.
August 25, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Botanical Press: Deep Dive
Learners will design a botanical press from scratch and create custom 3D-printed wing nuts.
August 25, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Stamps: Deep Dive
Learners will design a personal logo that reflects their (or a brand’s) unique identities and values. By combining graphic design principles with self-reflection, they will use symbols and typography to…
August 25, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Invention Kits: Deep Dive
Learners will design and construct scale models using their cardboard invention kits, applying advanced parametric modeling techniques in xDesign. Learners will create this scale model from scratch using a blank…
August 24, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Paper Pop-Up Books: Deep Dive
Learners will design and prototype a multi-page pop-up book spread using xDesign and the Brother ScanNCut Vinyl Cutter.
August 24, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Pinwheels: Deep Dive
Learners will independently design and fabricate multi-layered, custom pinwheels using a blank xDesign template.
August 24, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Stickers: Deep Dive
Learners will design complex, multi-layered 2D graphics using xDesign and the Brother ScanNCut Vinyl Cutter. That this activity focuses on basic visual concepts, such as balance, symmetry, and negative space.
August 24, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Automata: Exposure
This lesson introduces learners to the fascinating world of automata; kinetic sculptures powered by simple mechanical systems. Through hands-on fabrication using laser cutters, vinyl cutters, and 3D printers, learners will…
August 23, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Casting & Molding: Exposure
Learners will use a premade xDesign template to create a simple mold around a small object.
August 23, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box 3D Printed Dice: Exposure
Learners will open a pre-made die model in xDesign and adjust parameters to customize shape. Export the modified model for 3D printing and discuss how changes might affect balance or…
August 23, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Spinning Tops: Exposure
Explore how spinning tops are made using CAD and 3D printing. Learners adjust a pre-made xDesign file of a revolved top.
August 23, 2025
Fab-in-a-Box Botanical Press: Exposure
Learners will adjust a premade flower press using an xDesign template. Discuss basic 2D design principles: symmetry, bounding boxes, and perimeter shapes.
August 23, 2025STANDARDS-ALIGNED
Community contributed lessons aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) offer formal educators innovative pathways to teaching content knowledge. The Fab I Can Statements are a resource to develop technology-literate learning progressions to align with content standards.
FAB TESTED
Periodically lessons are adapted and tested by the Fab Foundation team based on a call for submissions from fabbers, educators, and makers. Our inaugural set of lessons for the SCOPES-DF project were Fab Tested in 2016 and are tagged Fab Tested on the website.
OPEN-SOURCE VALUES
Lessons are distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC license, that permits free use and re-purposing by others.