Fab Tested Lesson Collection

Making a Mardi Gras-Inspired Patch Using Algorithmic Design

What is an algorithm? How can algorithms be used to create cultural designs and 3D models? This lesson explores these questions by using visual programming to help students explore computational…

Ring Ceremony: Custom 3D Print Rings

Rings are customizable, simple objects to 3D print. Over the course of five classes (hours), students will design and print rings to wear and share with classmates. This lesson uses…

Biomedical Engineer – Middle School Remix

This lesson reflects on “Everyday in the life of a Biomedical Engineer” What does a Biomedical Engineer do? Biomedical Engineer Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists,…

Coding 3D Models Using Tinkercad Codeblocks

Inspired by contemporary South African baskets and hats, this activity explores craft through computation, 3D modeling and 3D printing. Students will use object-oriented computer programming, meaning they will place a…

Lesson Landing Pad: 3D Printing

This is a new type of lesson page! Instead of serving as a place to find a singular lesson about 3D printing, this is a page that will serve as…

tarukantohku: Digital Design Rooted in Storytelling Tradition

The purpose of this lesson is to promote collaboration between educational and cultural programming, specifically for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. The Tunica-Biloxi are a federally recognized tribe with population…

Music & 3D Modeling: From James Brown to Architecture

Black History Month recognizes the heritage, accomplishments, and culture of African Americans in the United States. In honor of this month, this project combines black music, 3D modeling and laser…

Tinkercad & Chibi Chip Electronic Cards

This “Hour of Code” project is part of Computer Science Education Week from December 3 – 7 but the lesson can be done any time of the year. Students explore…

Finding Fibonacci in the Helicone

Leonardo of Pisa (c.1170–c.1250), also known as Fibonacci, is often considered the most talented mathematician of the Middle Ages. In this lesson students discover the mystical nature of the famous…

Wind Turbine STEM/Digital Fabrication Challenge

Enhance your subject area content and career connections by using digital fabrication to design and make blades for a wind turbine.

From Digital to Physical: Geometric Translations

In this guide you will learn to develop a general workflow between 3D modeling softwares and planar assembly techniques for laser cutting using geometric translation tools. This guide will focus…

Fab Sneakers Workshop

Fabricating shoes presents fun opportunities for student to learn principles from design and mathematics while they explore digital fabrication process such as 3D modeling for 3D printing, laser cutting for…

Wearable Tech in Afrofuturism

Afrofuturism encompasses a wide variety of creative explorations across numerous fields – music, art, film, and literature – over nearly a half-century in black culture. This lesson plan explores the…

Child Designed Furniture

Creating classroom furniture with children is one example of a successful scaffolded fabrication activity that can be an empowering experience for young children. This experience includes adults working alongside children…

Dora Milaje Tabi Boot

This lesson originates from Ruth Carter’s approach to costume design for the Black Panther film. Students will create a pattern using software to be laser etched into soft material that…

Wakandan Bling

This lesson is inspired by different designers’ approaches for the Black Panther film. For example, LA-based designer Douriean Fletcher curated a special set of jewelry such as beaded bracelets, necklaces…

RECENT COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTED LESSONS

EmpowerHer: Designing Solutions for Hair Challenges with Tinkercad

In this project, we’ll be exploring the basics of 3D printing using a fantastic tool called Tinkercad. But this is not just any project; it’s a chance for you to…

February 29, 2024
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Maker Venn Diagram

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a leader in science and policy about the Climate Crisis and the health of our oceans. One of her most well known projects is the…

February 28, 2024

143 Binary Beads – Valentine’s Day

In this lesson students will learn a very basic form of computer coding. We will discuss binary code and the basics of how computers communicate. They will create their own…

February 26, 2024
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Blossom electronics

Celebrate Women’s Day with an activity inspired by one of the brightest women in science, Katharine Burr Blodgett! This engaging and hands-on electronics activity emphasizes the significance of women and…

February 26, 2024

Understanding Surface Tension, Surfactants, and Polarity

The session aims to understand the work of Agnes Pockels, whose research contributed to our understanding of surface science. It will involve experiments designed to elucidate surface tension, polarity, and…

February 23, 2024
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Tactile Assisted Design: Four Forces of Flight

Students who are blind and visually impaired oftentimes can’t participate in computer aided design (CAD) and digital fabrication activities because high detail screen work is a challenge. For those students…

January 31, 2024
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CPX Circuit Holder: A Digital Fabrication Project

During this project students will gain knowledge and skills using. 3D printing vinyl cutting block coding playground express circuit They will then apply those skills to design and digitally manufacture…

January 27, 2024

Bee Hotels with 3D Printing and Woodworking

This five-lesson plan aims to engage 9th and 10th-grade students in creating bee-friendly spaces on the school campus by designing and building functional bee hotels. The project combines 3D printing…

January 8, 2024

Decorative Box Lantern

This lesson takes the creative and cultural tradition of lantern making and combines it with a tech-based lesson in digital design and fabrication. Students will use 2D design software to…

December 5, 2023

Theatrical Mask Making

This lesson takes the creative mask making style of a Broadway theater show (think the Lion King) and combines it with a tech-based lesson in digital design and fabrication. Students…

December 5, 2023

Virtual Hispanic Art Gallery

The “Exploring Hispanic Artists from the US” project is designed for middle school students to delve into the world of Hispanic art and culture by researching and creating virtual art…

October 15, 2023

Exploring Innovation and Invention

In this lesson, the students will learn the history of innovations through fun and play. The files for stickers or laser cutting will the attached to this lesson which the…

September 26, 2023

MakeyMakey Inventor Biography Bottle

Students will choose a scientist or inventor from the past or present to research in order to write an informational report.  While the students are progressing through the writing…

September 7, 2023

Introduction to 3D Designing with a 3D Pen and Sketchbook

Students will learn the basics of 3D designing and geometry through hands-on activities using a 3D pen and a 3D sketchbook (or folded square papers). They will create simple 3D…

August 14, 2023

A- Frame level for contour Farming

This lesson introduces students to agriculture practices and its benefits. Students will learn about contour farming and vegetable cultivation. When studying contour farming for vegetables, students will gain specific insights…

July 21, 2023

STANDARDS-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.