The Warrior Fab Lab offers students access to technology such as 3D printing, embroidery or laser cutting, which have been used to make everything from prosthetic limbs to chess sets, to give them the tools to explore their passions and craft vital class and work projects.
CSU Stanislaus’ new makerspace offers a variety of technology for the campus community to explore.
Located on the second floor of the Vasche Library, this makerspace is equipped with a variety of tools, machines and software.
The Fab Lab also hosts a variety of workshops, events, and helps users manage projects. Visitors are encouraged to get a tour from one of the student assistants and more information from the student assistants working at the Fab Lab.
Kevin Ryu (Senior, Psychology), a student assistant in the Fab Lab, mentioned that the makerspace is filled with many things for students to take advantage of, including nine different types of 3D printers.
“It’s a makerspace here on campus, it’s an open resource for students that is already included with tuition… You can make good Christmas gifts for a cheap price,” Ryu said.
It is recommended that students interested in using the Fab Lab join their Canvas page to fill out an agreement form and complete safety modules.
The use of the equipment is free. The lab only charges for material, but if students bring in their own it’s free.
“We’re a space where students can come in and learn to use equipment, so that when they graduate and happen to get their own equipment they have easier access,” Ryu said.
Fab Lab student coordinator Sergio Parga (Junior, Geography) was able to discover the lab thanks to his sister’s involvement with the space.
Parga has always been passionate about technology and the Fab Lab became the perfect place for him. One of his favorite projects involved a ceramic 3D printer, which allowed him to create ceramic pieces despite facing a variety of challenges.
He emphasized that the lab encourages hands-on learning that goes beyond what you can learn in a classroom.
According to Sergio, students can gain valuable skills just by learning to use the equipment.
“If you do something like this it can reminisce with you… learning equipment like this you can translate your skills later on, for like, let’s say you are trying to do a side hustle or fabricating custom stuff for your projects,” Parga says.
Shyala Garnica (Freshman, Biology), a student working in Adobe Photoshop in the lab mentioned what her experience with the Fab Lab has been like.
“I have run into no difficulties, and everytime I come in here it’s so much fun,” Garnica says.
Garnica shared her top three projects she had worked on in the lab.
“3D printing little molecules for a chemistry lab over the summer, playing with the clay that they had here which then they scan to turn into a 3D molecule, and my most recent third event is photoshop,” she said.
The Fab Lab can be helpful when having class projects but also to get something fun out of it. While the Fab Lab is new, many students don’t know about it.
Garnica talked about how she first found out about it.
“It was over with the STEM group, a part of ASPIRE, I am part of them, and when they brought us here to print out little molecules,” Garnica said.
The Fab Lab, located on the second floor of the Vasche Library, is a unique place of innovation. The Fab Lab operates Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., under the direction of Jake Weigel. Equipped with a variety of tools, machines, and software, the Fab Lab welcomes the entire Stan State Community.
