Getting Smart Podcast How Are Fab Labs Transforming Education and Career Pathways? | Michael Stone & Kristen Burrus
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Aug 27, 2025 Michael Stone, VP of Innovative Learning at Public Education Foundation, and Kristen Burrus, a passionate program manager at the first K-14 digital fabrication center, dive into transformative education through fab labs. They discuss Chattanooga's journey in project-based learning and the Volkswagen eLab Network. With a focus on bridging education and workforce readiness, they explore credentialing and essential skills, showcasing how innovative technologies like the Fabfolio app elevate student engagement and real-world problem-solving.
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Costumed Canterbury Tales Hooked Students
- Kristen recalled a Canterbury Tales project where students costumed and retold stories, which made class highly engaging.
- The activity boosted creativity, laughter, and care for classmates' work.
Wiggling Biome Poster Sparked A Career
- Michael described a fourth-grade biome poster that used foam board to make creatures 'wiggle' off the trifold.
- The hands-on build and public presentations inspired his desire to 'teach teachers' later in life.
From PBL To Functional Solutions With Fab Labs
- STEM School Chattanooga started as a platform PBL school in 2012 and prioritized functional solutions to authentic problems.
- Leadership realized PBL often ended with low-fidelity artifacts and sought iterative making through a Fab Lab model.