ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

There are several differences. One is that Fablab are more oriented to
experimentation and prototyping with tinkering instead of an extension of
informal science learning.  There are no learning goals as the learning is
in the doing. They also work best with design challenges. Another
difference is that they have a larger variety of more sophisticated
fabrication machines and software which requires expertise to facilitate
them.

They are not designed for manufacturing although they can be used for short
runs 10- 20 pieces. Setting them up for manufacturing would take up too
much of the available time slots (downtime, jigs for production runs etc.).
 They are not organized around the equipment but are organized around jump
starting new types of invention around the world while building a global
community of inventors. At the last Gadegtoff event a few years ago, when I
spoke with Neil Gershenfeld from MIT who started fablabs, this was his
intention. They were started out of bits to atoms philosophy, I believe
they come out of the tangible bits lab. I think the next generation ones
will be more like a bits to atoms to bits to atoms loop.

I think the most effective model for these types of spaces will prove to be
the ones that incorporate convergence – digital media with digital
fabrication, like sensors, data acquisition and visualization, games with
tracking, etc. These types of labs will have much more relevance and value
for society. Many of the projects that we are developing both inside and
outside the science center field increasingly are about convergence – with
both virtual and physical components.

Some science centers are using maker's spaces as extension of their hands
on learning and informal science model. I think this is missing the true
value of what these spaces could be used for.

Are we just giving younger kids an informal "experience" of science or are
we willing to play another game by prepping them for a fast evolving
future?  The possibilities are that we reach a much broader audience with
greater valued activities, and a different engagement model that is more
episodic and less destination based. Then the challenges becomes what we
offer for our existing young audience?

 I will speak more about this at the Pecha Kucha panel and the general
session at the ASTC conference next month.




On Tue, Sep 17, 2013 at 3:20 AM, Tom Sofer <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> We can attest to this - currently have a FabLab under construction
>
> Tom Sofer
> FabLab Project coordinator
> MadaTech, National Museum of Science and
> Technology<
> http://www.madatech.org.il/Pages/MenuItemPage.aspx?ObjectMenu=35>
> Haifa, Israel
> Phone - 972-524-277774
> Skype: tomsofer1
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 17, 2013 at 5:29 AM, Eli Kuslansky <[log in to unmask]
> >wrote:
>
> > ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> > Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> > institutions.
> >
> >
> *****************************************************************************
> >
> > I think Tim Ritchie is doing design challenges at the Tech and a number
> of
> > centers are thinking more about putting in Fablabs instead of Maker's
> > spaces.
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Sep 6, 2013 at 2:02 PM, Paul Siboroski <[log in to unmask]
> > >wrote:
> >
> > > ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers
> > > Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> > > institutions.
> > >
> > >
> >
> *****************************************************************************
> > >
> > > Happy Friday,
> > >
> > > I know there has been a lot of discussion on the pros and cons of
> > > Maker/Tinkering spaces recently.
> > >
> > > A question:
> > >
> > > Is anyone conducting paid programming (like a club or workshop
> requiring
> > > more expensive materials and in depth opportunities to build and
> create)
> > in
> > > their maker/tinkering spaces? If you have links to your offerings I
> would
> > > appreciate being able to review and see what other folks are doing.
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > > Paul Siboroski
> > > Exhibits Director
> > > Reuben H Fleet Science Center
> > > 619 685 5742
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ***********************************************************************
> > > For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> > > the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
> > >
> > > Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
> > > www.exhibitfiles.org.
> > >
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> >
> > ***********************************************************************
> > For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> > the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
> >
> > Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
> > www.exhibitfiles.org.
> >
> > The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft.
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>
>
> --
>
> Tom Sofer
> FabLab Project coordinator
> MadaTech, National Museum of Science and
> Technology<
> http://www.madatech.org.il/Pages/MenuItemPage.aspx?ObjectMenu=35>
> Haifa, Israel
> Phone - 972-524-277774
> Skype: tomsofer1
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
> www.exhibitfiles.org.
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft.
> To learn more, visit
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]
>

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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