Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1474353
A creative problem-solving community The Fayetteville Chamber Fab Lab is part of the United States Fab Lab Network and the Fab Foundation, launched by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There are more than 1750 Fab Labs in more than 100 countries all over the globe. Each Fab Lab shares the mission of encouraging experimentation, creativity, achievement and collaboration with access to the latest technology tools. Because all Fab Labs share common tools and processes, the program is building a global network—a creative community of fabricators, artists, scientists, engineers, educators, students, amateurs and professionals. Community-wide benefits The Fab Lab holds scheduled classes, but also encourages individual experimentation and projects. Since it opened in August 2016, multiple groups have taken advantage of the resources and training available. The Lab has been a favorite for school groups who come to learn skills that they can use on projects, for fun, and to build the confidence they need to realize their full potential and meet the needs of the area's future workforce. Fab Lab director Glenn Whitman explained, "Some work on science projects. One person won a national award with a project that involved making a 3D-printed prosthetic made at the Fab Lab." The Lab partners with various groups to fill specific needs, for EXPERIMENT. CREATE. FABRICATE. IDEATE. BRAINSTORM. 10