Learn how to make (almost) anything - in twenty weeks! That is at the core of Fab Academy, the yearly worldwide education trajectory for curious makers. Since the start of Fab Academy in 2008, Waag has been one of its nodes, which means our Fab Lab is one of the now tens of places throughout the world that host Fab Academy.
Fab Academy is based on the concept of distributed learning. Led by MIT's Neil Gershenfeld, you will follow weekly classes, simultaneously with all the other Fab Academy students in all Fab Labs throughout the world. Next to this, you will work on weekly assignments with your own group, which then will be reviewed during weekly review sessions with all the other students. In twenty weeks, you will also work towards your own final project, in which you can demonstrate and deepen your newly found digital fabrication skills and your creativity. At Waag's Fab Lab, you will have access to all the tools and knowledge needed to be able to make (almost) anything.
> An afternoon with Waag's Fab Academy
> Final projects of 2020 Fab Academy at Waag
> Video: Fab Academy Irbid (Jordan)
> Video: Fab Academy 2020 final projects (worldwide)
Fab Academy: for whom?
Fab Academy is meant for anyone who wants to learn all skills needed to work with digital production. To partake in the program, basic knowledge of computer use is required. Please note that if you have a low to medium proficiency in 2D and 3D modeling, digital fabrication, electronics programming and web design and development, the course should be considered a full-time dedication program. Fab Academy consists of a weekly 2-3 hrs class, an evaluation and a few hours of work per week in the Fab Lab. The Academy consists of partial certificates, that together with your final project lead up to your Fab Academy diploma.
> More information
> FAQ
How to partake?
Being able to travel to one of the partaking Fab Labs is a requirement for Fab Academy. Classes will be taught in English. To partake, fill in the application form on the Fab Academy website. At the end of the school year, all graduates organise an end presentation for their projects. If corona measures allow it, the final diplomas will be handed out to the graduates at the yearly FAB conference. Fab Academy 2021 starts in January 2021 and takes five months.
Deadline for application: 15 December 2020.
Practical information
In order to attend Fab Academy, an (almost) fulltime dedication of your time is requested. Classes start mid-January 2021 (exact dates to be announced). The rounds of final presentations take place between mid-June and mid-July 2021. The graduation ceremony is part of FAB16, the annual Fab Lab Network conference, which will take place between 9th and 15th of August, 2021.
Every Wednesday, global lectures take place starting at 15:00 hrs (Amsterdam time) and taking 2-3 hours. Also, on selected Mondays, recitations will take place, starting at 15:00 hrs. The weekly regional and global reviews will be organised per time zone, and the times and dates will be announced as soon as classes start. Next to weekly classes and reviews, you will spend multiple hours per week at Waag's Fab Lab, where you'll work on both weekly assignments and your final project.
All information and documentation on Fab Academy 2021 and all previous years can be found on the Fab Academy website. For now, Waag is the only location in the Netherlands where Fab Academy can be attended. But, there are many locations in the whole world that also host Fab Academy!
Any questions?
Do you have any questions about joining Fab Academy? Check out their FAQ, or reach out to Waag's Fab Lab lead gro.gaaw@kneh.
