Fab Lab Call for Community Projects

April 15, 2024 – Sarasota

The Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab (Fab Lab) is excited to announce a call for submissions for its Student Community Innovation Program (SCIP). This initiative empowers local high school students to address community challenges by harnessing their unique perspectives and utilizing a state-of-the-art fabrication lab to create an innovative solution. In an effort to inspire its students to effect meaningful change, the Fab Lab is seeking input from local nonprofit agencies and community members to identify important issues the affecting Sarasota-Manatee area and/or potential community projects.

In previous years, SCIP students have designed and built art sculptures that raise awareness of community health issues, installed a micro forest to combat climate change, and even developed an engaging app for Sarasota County Schools to educate young children on COVID-19 safety when schools reopened. This year, the Fab Lab is inviting input from a broader range of community agencies to identify the community’s most pressing needs.

Nonprofit agencies or community members are invited to submit a form detailing the issue(s) they face and project ideas. Whether addressing mental health issues, improving access to education or promoting environmental sustainability, the students are eager to explore various challenges and opportunities. The ideal submission would include several different facets that the students could tackle such as design, fabrication, concepting/prototyping. The project may also include a technology, web design, marketing or social media aspect. The project may be in the early stages, or a loosely defined idea where the students can help bring it to fruition. The submission form is available at http://bit.ly/2024scipform, and the deadline to submit is Friday, April 26.

“We believe the community thrives when diverse perspectives come together to tackle common challenges,” shared Ping Faulhaber, Executive Director at the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab. “By partnering with other nonprofits, we hope to inspire our students to think creatively and develop solutions that benefit both the community and their personal growth.

The selected project will be matched with a team of SCIP students who will work closely with the nonprofit partner to develop and prototype a solution over the summer. Through hands-on experimentation and problem-solving, students will build new skills and make a tangible difference in their community. For any questions regarding SCIP or the submission form, please contact Steven Piskoty at steven.piskoty@suncoastscience.org.