Ability Badges are a fun, optional way of tracking your growth as a maker! As you gain experience using tools around the lab you can collect stamps. Earning a stamp means you have demonstrated sufficient mastery of technical and safety procedures to use that tool independently.
HOW CAN I GET AN ABILITY BADGE ?
Fill out our Ability Badge Request Form! When we receive your request, we'll make you a badge and let you know when it's ready. You'll find it on our badge wall under the heading "NEW".
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY BADGE?
Please fill out the form below to report your lost badge. We will be happy to print you a new one.
I CHANGED MY NAME / PRONOUNS, CAN I GET A NEW BADGE?
Please fill out the form below, and let us know what updates you want to make to your badge. We will print you a new one with the updated information.
DO TOOL TRAINING EVENTS OR WORKSHOPS EARN STAMPS?
Generally no, they don't provide the level of training required to earn a stamp -BUT- they are a wonderful way to collect practice hours! Tool Training Events and most Workshops are also a great way to get your first introduction to a tool in a social, supportive environment!
HOW DO I EARN A STAMP?
Training requirements vary depending on the complexity of the tool. Many stamps can be earned in one training session, while a few take multiple training sessions, supervised practice sessions, and a final tool challenge "test". Click here to learn more about the training requirements of different stamps.
The general format for stamp acquisition is as follows:
Read the tool documentation
Participate in training session(s) (sign up -->)
Practice using the tool (some tools require staff supervision)
Take and pass the challenge specific to your tool (sign up-->)
Receive your stamp!
Work independently!