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 Fablab 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 Fablabs 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 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 Fablab, you will have access to all the tools and knowledge needed to be able to make (almost) anything.
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 programme, basic knowledge of computer use is required. Please note that if you have a low to medium proficiency in 2D and 3D modelling, 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.
How to partake?
Being able to travel to one of the partaking Fablabs 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, during the final weeks of June 2024, all graduates organise an end presentation for their projects. Reviews will take place at the end of July. Fab Academy 2024 starts 24 January 2024 and takes five months.
Deadline for application: 25 December 2023.
Experiences of former participants
- My Experience & Projects from Studying at Fab Academy and Learning How to be a Maker by 2021 graduate Nadieh Bremer
- A crash course in digital fabrication 2019 Elektor Magazine by 2020 graduate Tessel Renzenbrink
- Our 2023 Fab Academy students at Waag
Practical information
In order to attend Fab Academy, an (almost) fulltime dedication of your time is requested. Classes start on 24 January 2024. The rounds of final presentations take place between mid-June and the end of June 2024. Reviews take place end-July.
During Fab Academy, 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 Fablab, where you'll work on both weekly assignments and your final project.
The costs of Fab Academy can be found under Tuition Fees.
All information and documentation on Fab Academy 2024 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 Henk Buursen: henk [at] waag [dot] org.
