The Fab-in-a-Box Lesson Collection serves as an excellent starting point for introducing the Fab-in-a-Box cart to both learners and educators. This collection of engaging lessons is designed to get everyone started with digital fabrication, using the cart’s 3D printer, laser cutter, and vinyl cutter. For xDesign How-To Videos Click Here!
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…
Fab-in-a-Box Casting & Molding: Deep Dive
Learners will design a two-part, two-step mold from scratch using a blank xDesign template.
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.
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.
about Fab-in-a-box
Fab-in-a-Box provides an affordable, turnkey solution that includes all necessary tools, materials, and comprehensive teacher guides. Optimized for various settings—classrooms, after school programs, clubs, scouting groups, summer camps, museums, libraries, and community centers—this curriculum empowers users to dive into the world of digital fabrication with confidence and ease.
IN THIS COLLECTION
The Fab-in-a-Box Lesson Collection offers three distinct engagement levels, making it adaptable across various formal and informal contexts, regardless of the audience’s age. Each level is designed to cater to different time constraints and ability levels, with handouts generally provided for all. The Exposure level requires the lightest effort and shortest time, with many pre-supplied files and materials. The Engagement level involves a medium effort, longer duration, or more advanced concepts, with adjustable files for parametric design. The Deep Dive level demands the most effort and longest duration, often spanning multiple sessions with minimal or no pre-supplied files, and may include multiple parts. Activities include vinyl cutting for stickers and paper pop-ups, laser cutting for invention kits, stamps, and botanical presses, and 3D printing for spinning tops, dice, and casting & molding projects. Some activities, like automata and gliders, utilize a combination of tools, ensuring a comprehensive hands-on learning experience.
xDesign how-to videos
Explore our collection of concise how-to videos on designing in SOLIDWORKS xDesign for the Fab-in-a-Box cart. These videos, which can be paired with the Fab-in-a-Box lessons, provide practical guidance for both learners and instructors. Watch the videos here.
Smart Recycling System: Building an AI-powered bin
Students build, and program a smart recycling bin that automatically opens when a specific type of waste is recognised. Using a Micro:bit, a servo motor, and a machine learning model…
April 11, 2026
Interactive Electronic Board Game
Your students will use probability, design and technology to create their own unique board game.
April 10, 2026
BOOKmarks for BookDay
In this lesson, students will become familiar with the concept of biomaterials, their types, and differences. They will learn how to make biomaterials and correctly calculate proportions. The final product…
April 10, 2026
Exploring Feelings through English, Art and Technology
This interdisciplinary lesson integrates English and Art using the picture book Camille and the Sunflowers. Students explore themes of kindness and empathy while learning about the artistic style of Vincent van Gogh. Singapore primary schools…
April 7, 2026
Steepness with MicroBit
During this lesson, students design a car using the material found in the fablab. This car should be able to hold the MicroBit and its battery pack. Using their creations,…
April 6, 2026
Human Reaction Time
Students will create their own game in which they will react quickly when a signal appears using scratch and Makey-Makey. The students create their code, and connect the makey makey.…
April 6, 2026
The Tecolote Lab: Transforming Waste into Art
In this lesson, students get inspired by the iconic “Tecolotes” (owls) of artist Arnoldo Ramírez Amaya, and explore color value by extracting natural pigments from coffee waste. Instead of…
April 6, 2026
Smart car challenge with Micro:bit
Students will design, build, and program a model car that uses a micro:bit to measure acceleration and represent it through lights and sounds. The project integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art,…
April 4, 2026
Plant Care Assistant
The collaboration with FLA participants during the Field Activity was a valuable learning experience. She contributed professional suggestions and practical perspectives in the preparation, code development, testing, and optimization stages,…
March 29, 2026
Future Designs for Digital Wellness
This session explores how technology affects our focus and emotions, and how design can support healthier digital habits. Participants will identify a digital wellbeing challenge, map a simple user journey,…
March 25, 2026
Biodegradable Coffee Grounds Cup
This lesson plan focuses on the cup design process, using scientific principles to solve a real-world reuse household waste issue. This plan is designed for high-paced, hands-on engagement. Preparing the materials,…
March 25, 2026
Light-Activated Pixel Heart
Through this course, students will learn the complete process of circuit board design and fabrication, and realize simple wearable functions by sewing the circuit boards onto clothing.The general idea of…
March 25, 2026
AI & IOT in Sport: Coding For Innovation – Modern AI in Python
This workshop aims to teach participants Python coding and its fundamentals, using Python programming language. Which includes Python External Libraries for AI and Machine Learning, how to, install them, access…
March 24, 2026
AI & IOT in Sport: Coding For Innovation – IoT Python
This workshop aims to teach participants Python coding and its fundamentals, using Python programming language. Which includes IoT pre-built and DIY devices how to use and build them with whatever…
March 24, 2026
AI & IOT in Sport: Coding For Innovation – Basic Python 2
This workshop aims to teach participants Python coding and its fundamentals, using Python programming language. Which includes Python Built-In libraries, Python External Libraries, how to, install them, access their documentation…
March 24, 2026
AI & IOT in Sport: Coding For Innovation – Basic Python 1
This workshop aims to teach participants basic coding and its fundamentals, using Python programming language. Which includes data storage and data manipulation, conditions with IF statement, loops and data structure.…
March 24, 2026STANDARDS-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.