Fab Lab MSI facts for kids
The Fab Lab MSI (which stands for Fabrication Laboratory at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois) is a cool workshop where you can make all sorts of things! It's like a mini-factory with awesome machines that help you build ideas, from small projects for museum visitors to bigger prototypes. The main idea behind a Fab Lab is to teach you how to use these machines to create "almost anything" you can imagine.
This special lab is located inside the innovations section of the museum, right next to the Toymaker 3000 exhibit. It's one of many Fab Labs around the world, with over 34 labs in 10 different countries! They all started at the Media Lab at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Even though they are connected, each lab aims to be independent while sharing the same exciting ideas about making things.
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What Machines Can You Use?
The Fab Lab at MSI has lots of cool tools for you to explore:
- Laser cutter - This machine uses a powerful laser to cut shapes out of flat materials like wood or plastic.
- Modela milling machines - These are like 3D carvers that can shape materials and even scan objects to make copies.
- CNC machine - This stands for Computer Numerical Control. It means machines like mills and lathes are controlled by a computer to make very precise cuts and shapes.
- Computer labs - You'll find computers here with special software for designing your projects and even for video calls.
- Vinyl cutting machines - These machines cut out designs from vinyl sheets, perfect for stickers or custom decorations.
- Electrical stations - These areas have all sorts of electronic parts, from tiny circuit boards and LED lights to solar panels and small screens, so you can build gadgets.
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A laser cutter station, ready to cut designs.
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The CNC machine station, used for precise carving.
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A computer station where you can design your projects.
Illinois Tech and the Fab Lab
Students from Illinois Tech (Illinois Institute of Technology) have been working with the Fab Lab. They are part of a special project group called IPRO. Their job is to help more people get excited about the Fab Lab and learn how to use all the cool equipment.
The IPRO group also works with the museum to make the Fab Lab a really important part of the museum experience. They want to help both young people and adults use their imaginations to build new things. To show what the Fab Lab can do, the Illinois Tech group has created some amazing projects. The lab also helps students of different ages learn about "prototyping," which means making an early version of something to test it out. This helps other groups use the Fab Lab for their own projects too!
Fun Projects Made Here
Since the Fab Lab opened its doors to the Illinois Tech IPRO group, they've made many fun and educational projects. These include everything from rubber band-powered trains to hand-cranked "power plants" that can charge batteries and phones! They've also made simple projects like puzzles and games that move.
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A personal power plant that you can crank to generate power.
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A prototype of a rubber band-powered train.
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A small micro video transmitter, showing tiny electronics.
What's Next for the Lab?
Future projects at the Fab Lab are often inspired by the exhibits already at the Museum of Science and Industry. Imagine making miners' hats for the coal mining exhibit, building models of the U-505 submarine, or creating stamps related to other museum displays! The lab also takes existing project ideas and makes them even better.
The goal for these projects is for museum visitors to come to the lab, create something cool, and learn more about the museum's exhibits at the same time. It's a chance for you to take home a unique souvenir and really expand your mind about what you can build in the lab.
Right now, students visiting the Fab Lab can even engrave their pictures onto acrylic boards, which can be turned into keychains. At first, the engraving might look simple, but if you catch the light just right, the image shows up with amazing detail!
The Fab Lab also supports community projects, including robotics, through groups like FIRST in Illinois. FIRST helps students aged 6–18 learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by building robots. They also teach "Gracious Professionalism," which means being kind and respectful while competing. These teams also help their communities by volunteering for projects beyond just building robots.
Who Supports the Fab Lab?
The Fab Lab MSI is able to keep going thanks to the help of many organizations:
