When in-person classes resume in Araras, students in the municipal school system will have a brand-new technological innovation lab waiting for them. The activities at the FabLab—which is being set up near the Municipal Department of Education on Avenida Senador César Lacerda de Vergueiro in the city center—will focus on developing robotics projects and manufacturing parts using equipment such as 3D printers.

The project began to be developed in 2019 by the Department of Education team and is funded by the federal government through the Qese (State Education Salary Allocation).

“These funds are already in the Department of Education’s account and are earmarked specifically for investments in basic education and teacher training. Through FabLab, we are bringing the very latest in technological innovation to our students so they can learn unique concepts that open up a whole new world of possibilities for the education of these children and adolescents,” explained Roza.

He says that the Secretariat’s technical and educational team visited the Bett Brasil Educar trade show last year—the largest technology innovation fair in Latin America—and learned about projects focused on education. “From there, we began planning our own space to serve students in the municipal school system,” he adds.

The building where FabLad will operate was leased by the municipal government following a public bidding process. Under the terms of the contract, the property owner is responsible for renovating the space to meet the City’s requirements. Rent will be paid only once the renovations are completed, which is expected to happen this month.

The Department of Education is working on multiple fronts simultaneously to effectively launch the FabLab’s activities, and although there is still no set date for the resumption of classes due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the goal is to have the facility ready to operate as early as August.

“We are launching a process to select teachers—based on the submission of technology-related projects—to work at the FabLab, as well as to determine the cost of the equipment that will be used in the activities,” Roza adds.

In addition to 3D printers, the facility will be equipped with prototyping machines, vinyl cutters, routers, and other equipment needed to manufacture parts used in projects developed by students and teachers. The FabLab focuses primarily on students in the second cycle of elementary school, which spans grades 5 through 9.

This article was originally posted on the jornalcidade.net website and can be accessed via the following link:https://www.jornalcidade.net/rc/alunos-de-aararas-terao-laboratorio-de-inovacao-tecnologica-assim-que-as-aulas-presenciais-voltarem/153090/