The newly-created , state-of-the-art Fab Lab at the high school opened for operation . The MITcertified Fab Lab , one of only a few in the nation , is dedicated to digital fabrication and includes a 3D printer , laser cutters , CNC machines , laser engravers , and vinyl cutters . Students from a cross-section of content areas are learning in the Fab Lab , promoting multidisciplinary experiences and hands-on , projectbased learning .

High school technology education teachers Mitch Palucis and Justin Papariello serve as the Fab Lab coordinators . Students have the opportunity to research , design , plan , and manufacture “ almost anything ” in the Fab Lab – which totally reinvents traditional technology education and promotes multidisciplinary learning . Students experience learning that includes lessons in science , math , language arts , computer science , and art concepts as they research , plan , and complete projects .

In March , the district , in partnership with the Pittsburgh FAB Network and made possible through a grant from The Grable Foundation , hosted nearly 150 educators from across the nation to showcase the Fab Lab . Teachers and administrators who participated were immersed in a full-day session that explored both the fabrication equipment as well as the Fab curriculum .

Director of Innovation Reinvents Technology Education in District

If you google search terms like deeper learning and maker schools , Megan Cicconi ’ s name will likely pop up as a national leader in the movement to create maker education and encourage deeper learning . Mrs . Cicconi began her appointment as director of instructional and innovative leadership in March . In that short time , she has already transformed how Fox Chapel Area students experience learning . She has been instrumental in the success of the Fab Lab , the district ’ s involvement in maker education , and the enhancement of computer science education . All of these are multidisciplinary , project-based learning experiences that encourage deeper learning . Mrs . Cicconi says , “ At Fox Chapel Area , innovative thinking doesn ’ t detract from core subject areas , it complements and strengthens them .”

Computer Science , Making , and the Fab Lab all use a projectbased learning environment that encourages deeper learning .

Kerr Elementary School second graders visited the Fab Lab on a special field trip where they made tool boxes and screen-printed T-shirts .

Teachers and administrators from around the nation learned from Fox Chapel Area Fab Lab experts – the experts were both teachers and high school students – at the Fab Con .

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