While it is true that there are many fabrication laboratories in the world, UNED’s Fab Lab Kä Träre has managed to stand out thanks to the large and varied number of projects it has developed over time. These projects have contributed in areas as diverse as medicine, dentistry, biology, education in general, criminology, among many others; and most of the contributions have remained open.
And the most important thing is that these contributions always have equity, equality and, of course, openness as one of their cross-cutting themes. We have shared from policies, to systematization documents of various initiatives and projects, 3D models, programming, designs, among others; because the idea is that those who need them, can take advantage of them, adapt them, enrich them, among others. Some examples of shared resources are the following:
The work of the Fab Lab has supported populations that have different barriers to learning, such as people deprived of liberty, those belonging to indigenous peoples, those with special needs, among many others.
During the pandemic, one of the Fab Lab’s developments, a breathing helmet for patients affected by COVID-19, was chosen as an example project for the world, showing the opportunities of co-creation. Attached are links to the documents where this project is presented:
- Co-creation during COVID-19 : 30 comparative international case studies | OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papers | OECD iLibrary (oecd-ilibrary.org)
- How did COVID-19 shape co-creation? Insights and policy lessons from international initiatives | OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papers | OECD iLibrary (oecd-ilibrary.org)
The Kä Träre Fab Lab has been recognized as an innovation space, promoting the use of technology, prototyping and creating solutions and addressing needs through the enormous possibilities of digital fabrication.
In addition, this space celebrates 10 years of existence during this 2024, and during that time, its contribution at different levels has been enormous.
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It is a space of first times… the first time that many people were able to have equipment for their studies, the first time that a technological kit was given to students as part of a course, the first time that UNED created a utility model, the first time that a Biomedical Equipment and Material is created, the first space of its kind in Costa Rica and in a distance learning institution that reaches 10 years with the firm commitment to continue being a truly open space.
Award Nominator
From the long list of activities set out in the contributions document this open fabrication lab has acted as a focal point for collaborative educational activities at many levels and with many groups and institutions. In doing so it has sustained an open ecosystem for supporting open educational practices.
Award Reviewer
