Institute

Each day of the institute will kick off with keynote speakers who are industry leaders, including Stephanie Espy, author of “STEM Gems: How 44 Women Shine in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and How You Can Too!” and Ross Ingram, founder of Maslo, as well as Harriet Sanford, president of the NEA Foundation, and several other NEA Foundation board members.

Participants also will spend time visiting Volkswagen eLabs and learning from teachers and specialists who already have been working with students in their schools.

In 2017, Volkswagen and the state of Tennessee announced a $1 million effort to provide students with advanced technology and engineering opportunities through the creation of the eLabs.

As of September 2017, eight eLabs were fully operational and another eight were announced in January of this year.

The labs are filled with digital fabrication tools, including automated manufacturing equipment, programmable microcomputers, renewable energy kits, 3-D printers, robotics and laser cutters and are staffed by Volkswagen eLabs Innovation Teams. They are led by specially trained Hamilton County teachers and an eLab specialist who staffs the lab full time.

“The Volkswagen eLabs give students the unique opportunity to develop the gifts they know they possess and discover untapped talents that can inspire a lifelong love of learning,” said Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson in a statement.

The institute plans on capitalizing on the labs, according to a news release.

“The Chattanooga Fabrication Institute will give local teachers an opportunity to lead innovative educators from across the country by sharing best practices as they continue to pioneer work in this field,” Public Education Foundation Director of Innovative Learning Michael Stone said in a statement.

Thanks to the grant funding provided by the NEA Foundation, the institute is free for educators.

“The Fabrication Institute provides a unique opportunity for area educators to develop cutting edge skills that will impact teaching and learning in classrooms throughout the region,” HCEA President Dan Liner said in a statement. “I’m especially grateful that the NEA Foundation has provided funding for the Institute that otherwise would not be available.”

The institute is open to educators from across the United States — at least 10 states and two countries already will be represented. The institute will be held in Chattanooga from June 18 to 21. About 30 spots are still available.