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WCCUSD FabLab Makes STEM Career Exploration Accessible

Every Wednesday afternoon at Kennedy High School, College & Career staff open the doors of the Richmond Fab Lab to the public.   On this particular Wednesday, 1/10/24, there is a group of elementary aged girls and a middle school boy, accompanied by their parents, all working on projects of individual interest.  They are using Computer Automated Design (CAD) software, 3D printing machines, and high-end laser cutters to bring their ideas to life. The students and parents get individualized and hands-on advice and instruction from our Fab Lab Manager, Alex Fleming, and our Fab Lab Coach, Darcy Long.  The students are ideating, realizing, and creating in real-time,  all while learning highly technical skills needed to bring their ideas to life. These are the types of skills and experiences that last a lifetime and launch potential careers. The College and Career staff are able to offer these types of experiences to the students and families of WCCUSD because of the partnerships that we have cultivated with our industry partners (in this case, Chevron) and because of the sustaining state and federal grant funding that we apply for, win, and manage annually. 

 

The Richmond Fab Lab at Kennedy High School is a workshop equipped with computer-controlled machines that allow users to engage in rapid-prototyping.  It is open to students, teachers, staff, and the community and training is available for the machines and associated software.  The College and Career Department annually acquires grant funding that supports both the Fab Lab Manager and Coach to provide school and community outreach so that students and families throughout the WCCUSD can experience tasks and possible careers in STEM.