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The Glimcher Tech & Design Hub has been officially recognized as a Fab Academy Learning Node by the Fab Foundation. The Fab Academy is a fast-paced, hands-on learning experience where students and faculty learn rapid prototyping by planning and executing a new project each week, resulting in a personal portfolio of technical skills. 

As the third Fab Academy Learning Node in the United States and the 80th worldwide, Shady Side Academy’s Glimcher Tech * Design Hub is now part of an international network of makerspaces specializing in hands-on education and professional development for educators. “We are very excited to be recognized by the Fab Foundation as a site that provides innovative, professional development to faculty around the world.”

Fab Academy Nodes—like the Glimcher Tech & Design Hub—are Fab Labs equipped with the necessary machines, infrastructure, and trained instructors to offer the globally recognized Fab Academy program. This program focuses on digital fabrication and hands-on learning, providing educators and students with real-world skills in designing and prototyping. To become a Node, the Glimcher Tech & Design Hub met rigorous standards, including having essential equipment like laser cutters, milling machines, and electronic components necessary for the course.

Shady Side’s inclusion as a Node means we are now equipped to offer the Fab Academy’s immersive, project-based curriculum, designed to teach technical skills through hands-on experience.

Looking ahead, Shady Side is excited to announce that in October, it will host its first Maker-in-Residence, Dr. Ann Marie Macara, from the Wildwood School in Los Angeles, CA whose current interest is the potential for bioprinters: 3D printers that have the capability of printing organic tissue. Dr. Macara will visit Shady Side for a weeklong  hands-on experience, fully funded by the Fab Foundation. 

As a recognized Node, Shady Side faculty and students now have the opportunity to collaborate with an international network of over 80 Nodes. This opens the door for future partnerships, student exchanges, and shared projects. 

This new achievement reflects Shady Side’s commitment to being at the forefront of innovation in maker education, providing top-tier resources and guidance to students and educators not only within our community but also nationwide.