In January 2017, Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations (Volkswagen Chattanooga), and the State of Tennessee announced the establishment of a $1 million investment in the Public Education Foundation that sparked a transformative movement in Hamilton County, TN. This initiative laid the groundwork for creating a pioneering network of digital fabrication labs for K-12 students.
Under the leadership of the Public Education Foundation (PEF) in partnership with Hamilton County Schools, Volkswagen eLabs empowers students to engage with emergent technologies such as automated manufacturing equipment, 3D printers, robotics, microcomputers, renewable energy kits, and digital design tools. Beyond providing access to cutting-edge technology, PEF has guided schools in establishing project-based learning units and design challenges that enable students to apply these tools in real-world contexts. Each eLab is aligned with the Fab Foundation's rigorous criteria from the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms, ensuring these spaces thrive as certified FabLabs.
The program began with the launch of eight state-of-the-art digital fabrication laboratories in August 2017, followed by an additional eight labs in 2018. To maximize the impact of the investment from Volkswagen Group of America and the State of Tennessee Dept of Economic and Community Development, PEF played a pivotal role in administering the grant, purchasing and procurement of equipment and supplies, advising facility retrofits, and delivering over 150 hours of professional development each year for administrators and teachers (the real secret sauce of this incredible initiative). Each participating school appointed a full-time teacher to serve as the Volkswagen eLab Specialist and formed a Volkswagen Innovation Team of three to four classroom teachers to pilot innovative strategies and identify best practices for integrating digital fabrication into K-12 education.
