A Global Journey Powered by Faculty, Instructors, and Community

Every Fab Academy cycle is more than a curriculum, it is a global learning experience built by an extraordinary community of educators, researchers, makers, and mentors. In the final stage of Fab Academy 2026, we want to take a moment to celebrate the people who have guided students throughout this journey: our Global Faculty, Global Instructors, recitation leaders, and contributors from across the Fab Lab network. From principles and practices to system integration, from machine building to sustainability, every week has introduced new perspectives and new ways of thinking about digital fabrication.

Building the Foundations

The cycle opened with Principles and Practices, where Neil Gershenfeld set the stage for the months ahead. More than introducing tools and assignments, this session established the mindset of Fab Academy: learning through making, documenting, collaborating, and embracing iteration. Students then entered the world of version control and documentation guided by Julian Gallimore, discovering how digital collaboration enables a globally distributed educational experience.

Designing Ideas into Reality

The design journey began with Computer-Aided Design, led by Sophia Brueckner and Kenny Cheung, who encouraged students to think beyond software and approach CAD as a creative process. Supported by instructors Miriam Choi and Eduardo Chamorro, students explored digital design as a bridge between imagination and fabrication. With Computer-Controlled Cutting, Debabrata Goswami (Debu) and Daniele Ingrassia introduced precision manufacturing, laser technologies, and parametric thinking, supported by Pradnya and Mickael.

Electronics, Programming, and Embedded Intelligence

The electronics journey unfolded through multiple milestones. Programming and debugging recitations were led by Nicolas De Coster and Henk Buursen, helping students understand how systems communicate and how to troubleshoot effectively. Neil returned to guide Embedded Programming, supported by Quentin Bolsee, introducing students to microcontrollers and embedded architectures. The momentum continued with Electronics Design, where Kris Rijnieks helped students move from concepts to PCB design. During Electronics Production, Saheen Palayi supported students as they transformed designs into functional electronic systems. Students later expanded into Input Devices with Adrian Torres and Output Devices with Nicolas De Coster and Quentin Bolsee, bringing interaction and responsiveness into their projects.

Expanding Through Emerging Technologies

Innovation took center stage during 3D Scanning and Printing, led by Adrian Bowyer, whose work has helped define accessible additive manufacturing globally, alongside Ohad Meyuhas. Students also explored the future through the AI Recitation, featuring Cesar Garcia Saez, Eric Pan, and Amira Abdel-Rahman, examining how artificial intelligence intersects with digital fabrication. The Networking and Communications week introduced connected systems under Eric Pan, with support from Luc Hanneuse, Henk Buursen, and Saheen Palayi.

Building Machines, Systems, and Experiences

Machine making became a central theme throughout the cycle. Computer-Controlled Machining brought together Tom Bodett and Tony Schmitz, combining craftsmanship, material understanding, and manufacturing science, supported by Henk Buursen and Thorarinn Gunnarsson. The Machine Building Recitation gathered machine builders from across the network to share experiments, open hardware approaches, and fabrication strategies. Mechanical and machine design expanded further under Nadya Peek, together with Jogin Francis and Jani Ylioja, encouraging students to think in systems and create the tools of the future.

Materials, Sustainability, and New Ways of Making

Sustainability remained embedded throughout the cycle. The Sustainability Recitation, led by Kat Kormilitsyna, Beno Juarez, Tomas Vivanco Larrain, and Pieter van der Hijden, challenged students to rethink production and responsibility. In Molding and Casting, Alysia Garmulewicz, with support from Saverio Silli and Adrian Torres, introduced bio-based materials and sustainable fabrication practices. The Education Recitation, coordinated through the Fab Foundation ecosystem, highlighted how education programs continue to expand globally.

Integration, Applications, and Final Development

As projects matured, students entered the final integration phase. Interface and Application Programming, led by Neil with support from Francisco Sanchez and Jogin Francis, connected hardware with interactive software experiences. System Integration, supported by Nancy Wu and Aristarco Cortes, challenged students to bring mechanics, electronics, interfaces, and reliability together into complete systems. During Wildcard Week, Rico Kanthatham and Santi Fuentemilla encouraged experimentation beyond conventional fabrication approaches. Finally, Applications and Implications / Project Development, supported by Nuria Robles and Pablo Nuñez Gonzalez, helped students focus their ideas into meaningful final outcomes. Additional recitations—including Fab Ecosystem, Fab All-In, and community-driven sessions—showcased the strength of the global network that makes this experience possible.

The Final Stretch Begins

Across the world, students are deep into developing, integrating, testing, documenting, and refining their final projects. Months of design iterations, fabrication, programming, debugging, and collaboration are coming together into machines, systems, devices, materials, and ideas that reflect each student’s journey.

To all Fab Academy students: Keep building. Keep iterating. Trust the process. We wish every one of you the very best and see you in FAB26 (opens new window)