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MAKER EDUCATOR INSTITUTE
Hawken School - Cleveland, Ohio
The Fab Play-Maker Educators Institute is an annual gathering of like-minded creative spirits that just so happen to work in education! During this transformative week, we will elevate one another’s crafts, hone our skill sets, immerse ourselves in hands-on, experiential learning, prototype new ideas, practice new machining techniques, connect as a network, share our challenges and best practices, and celebrate our efforts from this past school year.
Summer 2026 Success!
Can't wait to see everyone again next June 2027
JOIN US FOR A WEEK OF:
JOIN US FOR A WEEK OF:
Creativity, Collaboration, & Innovation!
Creativity, Collaboration, & Innovation!
To learn more about the institute, workshop sessions, tools, projects, lodging, and event details, explore the Conference Page.
A Few of Our 2026 Sessions Includee
A Few of Our 2026 Sessions Includee
DIY Rocket Launcher
Come to this session to build your own air-powered rocket launcher. We will have the parts and supplies ready for you to fabricate, test, and launch your next rocketry adventure. Limited sign-up; extra safety precautions necessary for this session. Compressor not included.
Mission Patch Design
Design and Laser Etch, 3D print your own Mission logo design and patch.
Woodshop Tool Box
Construct your own classroom toolbox using the machines in our woodshop. Compare your new cutting skills to those of a CNC robot machine. Glue, nail, and 3D print your toolbox to take to your classroom and say, “I Made That.”
CUBE Crafting and Introduction to Fabrics and Fashion
Design and fabricate six different panels using techniques and textiles in a makerspace to learn basic sewing techniques. Sew pockets, hand-embroider, add buttons and zippers, stamp fabric, applique, and many more options to create your panels.
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education
Experiential ED Learning walk & talk through our campus trails. See our outdoor learning spaces and hear about our design and build projects.
Outdoor Education Barn Intensive
Want to be added to our mailing list for future events and communications?
Want to be added to our mailing list for future events and communications?
WELCOME
WELCOME
We know the ideals of the Maker Movement and Fab Labs are by nature innovative, nimble, and a powerful learning format for enacting real change in the designed and built world. We believe that in this spirit, our role in maker education is to lead these innovative practices that will create a better future for our students and all of society.
WHO
WHO
The FAB PLAY conferences are open to all educators and organizations hoping to deepen their experience of teaching and learning in Fab Labs and Makerspaces, and share their expertise back to the larger community. Although there will be some sessions on machines and techniques, the overall goal of the institute is for all participants and presenters to learn from each other and obtain new ideas to implement in their own space. Experienced and new users of all skill and ability are welcome.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
Establish a gathering of like-minded passionate educators that work as a community to share best practices across multiple platforms, generate new project ideas, and grow as network of Maker-Educators in Northeast Ohio and Nationally.
Pricing
Pricing
Full 4-Day Institute
EARLY BIRD PRICING - Register and Pay Before May 22:
Single Attendee: $700
Returning Attendee: $650
Groups of 3 or more: $600/person
Register and Pay After May 22: $800/person
Single Day Drop In
Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday: $250
Institute Hotel Information
Institute Hotel Information
A dedicated block of rooms for out-of-town guests will be available at the Hyatt Place Legacy Village for the nights of June 22 - 26. This hotel is nested within a convenient walkable outdoor shopping center, including restaurants, coffee, shops, and stores. It's about a 15 minute drive from the hotel to the Gates Mills Campus, so access car is still recommended for those traveling to Cleveland.
Our conference rate will be $189 (king room) / $199 (2 queen room) per night (plus taxes and fees). A booking link will be sent with confirmation of registration for the Institute.
Sample some of what we do from our free activities website -
OVER THE YEARS
OVER THE YEARS
Game Time!
The 7th annual institute was all about PLAY - in the lab, in the classroom, with the curriculum, and with the machines.
SUCCESS!
Our 6th annual Institute was our biggest and best yet. Thanks to all who joined us for a week of awesome play and practice.
Learn, Grow, Make!
Our 6th annual Institute was our biggest and best yet. Thanks to all who joined us for a week of awesome play and practice.
Another great gathering for the summer of 2022. Please take a look at the sessions and the resources to learn more about what we accomplished.
Back To TOOLS!
Back from COVID, we dust off some of the equipment and present new ways to use the tools in your makerspaces more efficiently and effectively. We worked with other educators across the network to skill-build and level up experiences while sharing project ideas, instructional techniques, and amazing resources.
Keeping the Momentum!
Virtual- During our 2020 Summer Institute, we had an opportunity to dive deeper into Social Justice in Makerspaces. Check out the link below for some additional information and resources shared during our institute sessions and guest panel.
First Ever Fab Play!
In 2019 we held our first annual conference and immediately started to form a network of like-minded educators looking to improve their skillsets and learn best practices from each other. Visit the link to read more about the first Fab Play conference. It was so much fun!
OTHER PD & PRESENTATIONS
2020 International Fab Lab
Conference (Remote)
2024 ConstructED - NYC
See our Makerspaces
Located in Northeast Ohio, Hawken School is a co-ed private college preparatory high school serving students from preschool to 12th grade. Hawken’s programming now supports over 8,000 square feet of makerspaces include the Upper School Fab Lab, Media Lab, and Woodshop, and the newly renovated Lower School Innovation Lab and Computational Thinking and Design classroom.
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