The Fab Lab is an advanced digital design and fabrication laboratory that allows community members access to high-tech tools in order to actualize ideas through design and fabrication.
The Fab Lab in San Diego is one of over thirty in the Global Fab Lab Network, and the only on the US West Coast. Around the globe, people have utilized the tools associated with the Fab Lab to create the things that they desire or need. This has ranged from innovations related to communications technologies to arts and handicrafts. Most of these have been created by newcomers to such technologies, many by youth.
The Fab Lab San Diego offers multiple services within the community:
Serving youth through hands-on learning experiences related to to technology and science that prepare them to be self-assured players in their college and career undertakings is a core value of the Fab Lab SD.
Small business development and incubation, as well as expanded access to innovative opportunities for professionals are nurtured through the Fab Lab SD’s pay-as-you-go model, allowing new businesses and independent contractors access to high tech machines without the upfront cost of purchase.
In house design and fabrication services further allow a platform for the generation of job opportunities for professionals working with Fab Lab, and often create a great stipend-supported apprenticeship opportunity for youth.
