Wednesday, July 9

Chattanooga Fab Institute 2025

The Chattanooga Fab Institute is a 3-day experience where educators engage in school-based Fab Labs for one-of-a-kind hands-on learning!

By PEF Innovation Hub

Date and time

July 9 · 7:30am - July 11 · 2pm EDT

Location

Chattanooga

Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 30 days before event

About this event

Event lasts 2 days 6 hours

Join us for the 7th Annual Chattanooga FAB Institute July 9 - 11, 2025, in Chattanooga, TN, proudly presented by the Public Education Foundation and Hamilton County Schools, in collaboration with Volkswagen Group of America. Actively engage in a transformative professional development experience for K-12 educators, centered around innovative digital fabrication technologies in our state-of-the-art Volkswagen eLabs.

Don't miss out on our Early Bird special! Register by April 30, 2025 and save 50%. Visit http://www.vwelab.org/chattfab for the latest updates and information.

Why Attend?

Engage in hands-on learning with cutting-edge digital fabrication tools.
Explore a range of technologies including 3D printing, laser engraving/cutting, vinyl cutting, CNC routing, and micro-computing.
Start each day with inspiring keynotes from guest speakers.
Experience practical, in-depth workshops led by Volkswagen eLab Specialists who serve as full-time teachers in labs in Hamilton County.

Pre-conference workshops
Enhance your experience by registering for two preconference workshops on July 8, 2025. These sessions offer introductory guidance on utilizing the tools available in the VW eLabs, setting you up for success during the main event.

Group Discounts
Planning to attend with colleagues? We offer special rates for groups of seven or more. Contact mstone@pefchattanooga.org for more details.

This is more than just a conference; it's an opportunity to be at the forefront of educational innovation. Secure your spot today and be part of shaping the future of digital fabrication in education!

Frequently asked questions

Is there as dress code?

You will be using digital fabrication tools including traditional power tools. Casual attire is recommended, but for safety, please wear close-toed shoes and avoid any loose or dangling hair and/or jewelry.

Who can attend?

The Chattanooga Fab Institute is designed specifically for K-12 educators, but we welcome anyone who is interested in participating. However, all attendees must be 21 or older.

Do I get to use the tools?

YES YES YES!!! This a one-of-a-kind learning experience where we dive into constructionist practices--we believe everyone learns best when actively creating things that are personally meaningful. If you want to sit and listen for three days, this experience is not for you. Come ready to DO STUFF!

Will someone teach me how to use the tools?

Our facilitators will assist you in designing your project and will provide mini-workshops for using the tools, but we won't host lengthy seminars on how to use the tools. Instead, you'll be encouraged to by doing! We do offer preconference workshops for those seeking extra support before starting.

Can we keep our work?

YES! You get to keep everything you build! We provide all of the supplies you need to make your vision come to reality. From wood and acrylic, to micro-controllers and LED strips. You build it, you keep it!

I'm not a maker and I don't know much about this technology, will I be ok?

Yes. This is not a stay in your comfort zone experience, but we provide enough scaffolding to ensure everyone can experience success. Every year, we have a wonderful mix of absolute beginners and technical experts attend and enjoy the event.

Organized by

PEF Innovation Hub

The and the created the STEM Innovation Hub to provide development, amplification, and leadership experiences for teachers, principals, parents, and staff from community organizations.

The Public Education Foundation serves as the managing partner of the Hub, acting as both the fiscal agent and driving force to create a center where teachers, principals, non-profit organizations, and leaders from business and industry work together to redesign how our children learn. The hub has emerged as an innovative entity that provides unique opportunities for stakeholders to identify and develop revolutionary educational strategies that help prepare students to thrive.

Early bird discount

$75 – $150