MCC Exhibits at MO State Fair - Science Fair in the Street

Metropolitan Community College sent 100+ Missouri State Fair visitors home with hand-built Cog Cards and a slightly cooled fair experience.  Click the video above to see MCC's Pedal Powered Cooling Station and kids building Cog Cards at the Missouri State Fair on Saturday, Aug 13.

Jen Dec and David Hawkins of MCC-BT brought parts, fixtures, and enough patience to help 100+ five to ten year-olds build planetary gear cards, which require precision glue-sticking and assembly of eleven tiny parts.  "The kids were fun", said Jen. "The kids REALLY liked building cards - we had their undivided attention for about ten minutes, which is pretty impressive - I say!"

The Pedal Powered Cooling Station used a water pump attached to a bicycle exercise trainer to mist fair patrons.  The pump pulled water from an 8 gallon tank and pressurized a series of misting heads.  "In all we pumped 24 gallons of water on the crowd.  Although I tried to con kids into taking a shift on the bike, I believe I ended up pedaling about 20 of the 24 gallons", said Alex Grigsby of MCC-BT.

Both the Cog Cards and Pedal Powered Cooling Station where designed at MCC's FabLab.  Science Fair in the Street was coordinated by Missouri State Fair and SCOPE.

MCC's FabLab Featured in KC Business Journal: FabLab helps connect budding entrepreneurs, tradespeople

Read more about FabLab in this weeks issue of the Kansas City Business Journal

FabLab Father's Day Present Build Time: 1.5hrs / Induced Smiles: 150hrs

During his lunch break yesterday, Alex Grigsby, a mild craftsman, built his father's day present in MCC-BTC's FabLab.  (Message safe here; he doesn't have internet or a computer)  The younger Grigsby feels sense of pride and accomplishment from making a tangible thing.  Older Grigsby feels sense of pride because his son has capacity to run a miter saw and drill and didn't grow up a total flop.  Father expected to say, "Son, didn't you build me this same birdhouse when you were twelve?"  Answer: "Yes"

Entire bluebird house made from single 1X6 board - fancy FabLab logo in picture above burned with laser engraver.  Plans downloaded from Missouri Department of Conservation website - http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/how/woodworking.  Learn more about FabLab here.

FabLab NOW OPEN!

FabLab =Laboratory where students and the community access high-tech equipment to design, test and build just about anything.

The FabLab is NOW OPEN to students and MCC employees.

FabLab members conceptualize, design, develop, fabricate, and test almost anything. If you recon yourself an artist, engineer, tinkerer, inventor, entrepreneur or deviser, the FabLab will soon become your new favorite place!
 

I.W.I. signs $55K in contracts with Hallmark on LEaPLab development, training

Hallmark Cards, Inc., 2501 McGee, site of the new LEaPLab.

Last week, the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.) signed over $55,000 in contracts with Hallmark Cards, Inc., to assist them in developing their new Learning Exploration and Prototyping or LEaPLab, a fabrication laboratory similar to MCC’s FabLab at the Business & Technology campus.

The LEaPLab will eventually be open to all Hallmark employees to test new product ideas. Like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s FabLab concept, it follows a business model of prototype development rather than a learning model.

The partnership grew out of mutual interest: MCC was serving on an advisory group with Hallmark at the Kauffman Foundation regarding similar fabrication and prototyping laboratories, and eventually, Hallmark proposed that MCC partner with them the project.

Development of the on-site lab at Hallmark Corporate Headquarters began the day after the contracts were signed. Existing space will be renovated at Hallmark at 2501 McGee with a target completion date of August 1. MCC consulting services include design and layout of the lab. Once the lab is operational, I.W.I. will train the first eight classes consisting of over 90 Hallmark employees on how to use the lab’s equipment. I.W.I. will also create the initial training materials, including job aids, videos, and lesson plans.

MCC has a long-standing relationship with Hallmark—before I.W.I., Business & Learning Solutions had been doing business with Hallmark for over twenty years, and looks forward to the opportunities that will arise from this exciting new project. Hallmark has plans already in place to expand the LEaPLab, and as new equipment is installed, additional training will be needed. Hallmark has also expressed interest in creating internships for MCC students.

The partnership that resulted in the design and training contracts were the result of a major group effort. Hallmark staff included Ron Green, Government Resource Programs Manager; and Scott Browning, 3D Interactive/Creative Technology Manager. From MCC, I.W.I. staff included Steve Dowell, FabLab project coordinator; Pat Lees, project manager; John Littleton, performance consultant manager; Stan Fields, business development manager; Mark Murtha, media services; Dr. Kevin Kelley, director of community development; and Margaret Boyd, executive director of I.W.I.

It stands for Fabrication, although it is Fabulous!

MCC-Business & Technology is in the process of creating an environment where students, community members, and participating local companies can conceptualize, design, develop, fabricate and test a variety of products and ideas.

This environment is called FabLab. It will be housed in the campus’ former Making It In KC lab and equipped entirely with machinery and tools not in use in other campus labs.

Based on similar projects at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston and Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, the BTC FabLab will provide students, community and industry members two main benefits.

First, they will have access to our state-of-the-art fabrication equipment from computer software to prototype printers and precision machining equipment. Second, they will have the opportunity to consult with our knowledgeable BTC faculty and staff about projects, ideas and concepts.

"The FabLab will allow creative, talented individuals to formulate their ideas and concepts into actual physical reality,” said Edgar Jimenez, FabLab advisory board member and a retired Honeywell welding engineer. “I can see the potential this facility will have encouraging the advancement of manufacturing technology in the Kansas City area."

After hearing about the concept at the first advisory board meeting, Mr. Jimenez showed his appreciation and enthusiasm for the FabLab project with a $1,000 donation.

The official launch of the BTC FabLab will be announced soon. Limited membership of current students will begin at the start of spring 2011 semester and will open to the public later in the year. Campus personnel have been meeting with members of Hallmark’s creative team to investigate ways for that company to use the lab. Dimensional Innovations, another manufacturer of creative concepts, has invited BTC representatives to tour its facility, discuss lab integration and outline opportunities for student internships.

FabLab incorporates skills and knowledge from several disciplines including: Computer Aided Drafting and Design, Engineering, Welding, Precision Machining, and Electronics.

For more information about the FabLab contact project coordinator, Steve Dowell - 604.5290 or fablab@mcckc.edu.

President Barack Obama recently visited Lorain County Community College FabLab. Read more here.

Additional information about FabLab can be found at Lorain County Community College FabLab page or the MIT FabLab page.

Click below for FabLab video from Lorain County Community College.