The Jigme Namgyal Wangchuck Super Fab Lab will be hosting the International Fab Lab Fest in July. The event is expected to run a diverse range of programmes, talks, panels, and workshops ahead of and during the event. As a build-up programme for the international fest, the Super Fab Lab is conducting a National Fab Student Challenge in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.
The Education and Skills Development Ministry is launching the National Innovation Tournament for schools in Bhutan. One of the themes of the tournament is “Curriculum through Fabrication: How can fabrication help students learn better?”
The challenge aims to introduce and generate awareness around digital fabrication and the potential of inculcating Fab Labs in education.
The programme has oriented more than 400 teachers from across the country about digital fabrication before the real challenge begins.
“With this tour now I can definitely go back and I can suggest and give students ideas or build on their ideas; how things can be made possible using the technology that is available here,” said Tshewang Norbu, a teacher of Lungtenphu Middle Secondary School.
“Today I am sure that I am well-equipped to orient my students back in the school about the upcoming Fab23 and we will be taking part in the prototype challenge. And we will be submitting a proposal for that,” said Dechen Choden, a teacher at Zilukha Middle Secondary School.
“This orientation will help teachers to come up with designs because they have been now oriented with machines and services provided by Super FabLab and FabLabs around the country. So, now based on those machines and capabilities they can come up with better, innovative teaching-learning materials,” said Sonam Wangchuk, the Programme Officer of the STEM and Innovation Division of the education and skills development ministry.
The best teams will get an opportunity to visit the nearest Fab Lab in the country and prototype their ideas. There are six Fab Labs across the country. The final prototypes will be presented at the Fab23 Bhutan Conference.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Sherub Dorji
