About this good practice
M-Lab is leading a network of fab labs in Lithuanian Schools and is focused on creation and adaptation of new learning content for formal education / curriculum which includes STE(A)M, hands-on and project-based learning, design thinking together with programming, digital fabrication, robotics and development of 21st century skills.
M-Lab is an initiative that was initiated under patronage of a businessman and sponsor Vladas Lašas. M-Lab is private organization that provides educational and product prototyping services.
M-Lab stays up to two weeks in one school teaching and prototyping with students and teachers. M-Lab has also a mini pop-up/mobile fab-lab project and is making small invasions into schools and their environment. A basic set of digital fabrication tools and equipment like a desktop laser cutter, CNC, 3D printer, plotter, and electronics lab is brought to different and remote schools, setting up a temporary mini fab-lab in their class spaces.
Around 30 educational projects (duration of each is 2-3 weeks) are implemented each year. In 2017-2019 M-Lab took part in EU funded projects (Horizon 2020, Erasmus+ programmes) that focused on creation and testing of innovative educational content. Participants ranged from schoolchildren to entrepreneurs. In 2020 educational training for adults take place that are based on newly created and tested Fab-Lab programmes.
Resources needed
This is privately-owned initiative and the number of resources needed depends on specific initiatives / projects.
The budget in 2019 consisted of 50 000 EUR. 2020 budget is respectively smaller because of COVID impact.
Evidence of success
M-Lab was accredited as the most innovative STEAM project. The educational project focuses on innovation, efficiency and robotics, so circular economy is the key element here. For instance, makerspace is interested in re-use of waste and is engaged projects that create new things from electronics waste.
Potential for learning or transfer
M-Lab aims to change the overall traditional approach towards study program; it also teaches young students how to re-use electronics and waste. Schoolchildren have an opportunity to see STEAM processes in practice and participate in prototyping process directly.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
M-Lab