The CMSD Fab Lab is stocked with fab equipment waiting to be put to use in your classrooms! Below is a list of the machines and materials available in the fab lab.
To borrow materials from the fab lab, teachers must attend a workshop or training session at the EPC STEM Lab. Some materials require a short, 30 minute training session, like the button maker or heat press, while others like the 3D printers require an intro session and ‘homework’. To learn more, please reach out to the Fab Lab Manager at sarah.wallace@clevelandmetroschools.org, or sign up for our newsletter. Also, please read over the ‘fine print’ at the bottom of this page.
3D Printers
The CMSD Fab Labs has Flash Forge Finder and Inventor printers available for teachers to borrow. These are amazing printers that are easy to use and can bring student learning to life. The Fab Lab has 3D printers to borrow for your classroom as well as all the filament you could need. NOTE: you must install Flash Print to your laptop to use this machine.
Click here to see some examples of 3D printing projects.
This technology requires an intro training session, homework assignments and a hardware training. Click here to see the workshop resources available for this technology.
Vinyl Cutters
These Silhouette Cameo machines are great for creating 2 dimensional designs such as stickers, labels, and paper shapes. They can be used to make logos, tshirts and more. The fab lab has machines that can be borrowed and all the vinyl you could need to create amazing projects. Note: You must install SILHOUETTE STUDIO onto a laptop to use this machine.
Click here to see more examples of Vinyl Cutter projects
This technology requires an intro training session, homework assignments and a hardware training. Click here to see the workshop resources available for this technology.
Paper Circuits
Paper circuits are a great, low tech way to talk about science with students and create some fun projects. The fab lab can provide copper tape, batteries, clips and LEDs for all of your students as well as training on how to use these materials.
Click here to see more examples of Paper Circuits projects
This technology requires a one hour, in person training session. Sign up to come into any materials pick up session to learn more and get materials for your classroom! Click here to see the workshop resources available for this technology.
Makey Makeys
Makey Makeys are an invention kit to introduce students to the world of coding in a fun and interactive way. The Fab Lab has class sets (12 kits) that can be borrowed for your classroom as well as training on how to use these fun tools.
Click here to see more examples of Makey Makey projects
This technology requires a one hour, in person training session. Sign up to come into any materials pick up session to learn more and get materials for your classroom! Click here to see the workshop resources available for this technology.
Arduino
Arduinos are single-board microcontrollers that are a great tool for students to create more complex coded projects. The Fab Lab has about 25 arduinos that can be borrowed for your classroom as well as training on how to use these fun tools.
This technology requires a one hour, in person training session. Sign up to come into any materials pick up session to learn more and get materials for your classroom! Click here to see the workshop resources available for this technology.
Button Makers
Button makers are a great, low tech, easy, way to take your project to the next level. These machines are easy to use and can be used with just paper and markers or incorporated into a computer design project. The fab lab has button makers to borrow and all the materials you need to create buttons.
Click here to learn more about the button makers and how to use them!
This technology requires a half hour, in person training session. Sign up to come into any materials pick up session to learn more and get materials for your classroom!
Heat Press
A heat press is a large iron like machine that can be used along with a vinyl cutter to create custom t-shirts or canvas bags. The Fab Lab has one heat press to borrow.
Click here to see more examples of Heat Press projects
This technology requires a half hour, in person training session. Sign up to come into any materials pick up session to learn more and get materials for your classroom! Click here to see the workshop resources available for this technology.
Maker Materials
Do you have a project in mind that you’d like to do with your students but need some materials? We might have it! Tons of cardboard? wood- paint- power tools- feathers- batteries? Can’t hurt to ask! We love to learn about the maker projects happening around the district and would love to be a part of your project. Reach out to Sarah Wallace to learn more!
Fine Print
- The CMSD Fab Lab Lending Library is only available to CMSD employees.
- Machinery can be borrowed for 1 academic quarter at a time if there is a waiting list for that technology.
- The CMSD Fab Lab can also provide the consumables needed for the machines (i.e. the filament for the 3D printers and vinyl for the silhouettes).
- Depending on availability, teachers may be put on a waiting list for a specific technology.
- Interested teachers who work in the same building may be asked to partner up.
- If the technology is not being used in the school or is not being used appropriately, the Fab Lab will ask that it is returned so other teachers and students can utilize the machine.
Cleveland Metropolitan School District Fab Lab 