Education
Democratizing access to digital fabrication technology and education, providing the tools and resources that allow any learner to invent, create, and innovate.
Opening Summer 2026 · 315 Main St, Kendall Square, Cambridge MA
MakeAlmost Anything.
The Fab Foundation's global headquarters, a living laboratory for digital fabrication, education, and community in the heart of Cambridge's innovation district.
2,700+
Fab Labs Worldwide
165
Countries
15+
Years of Impact
1
New Global HQ
About Us
A Living Lab for the Future of Making
"Our mission is to provide access to the tools, the knowledge, and the means to educate, innovate, and invent. Allowing anyone to make (almost) anything."
The Fab Foundation is a U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) that emerged from MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms in 2009. We have served as steward of the global Fab Lab Network, more than 2,700 public digital fabrication laboratories in 135 countries, supporting education, social impact, and economic development for those historically excluded from these resources.
In partnership with BXP, our new Kendall Square headquarters and flagship Fab Lab serves as the anchor connecting the Cambridge community to the international Fab Lab Network. We empower individuals through artistic expression, entrepreneurship, social justice, and climate action.
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Our Approach
Three Pillars. One Mission.
Community
Supporting a global network of over 2,700 Fab Labs in 165 countries, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and a shared culture of making and discovery.
Social Good
Promoting sustainable development and innovation by directing digital fabrication toward climate action, social justice, and long-term community resilience.
Programs
Four Flagship Offerings
Program 01
State-of-the-Art Digital Fabrication Facility
Including lasers, large CNC machines, precision CNC milling machines, 3D printers, digital sewing machines, electronics design, production tools and more.
Program 02
Research Center for Sustainable Living & Manufacturing
Supporting an international community of makers engaged in circular economy research through the Fab City Global Initiative, across the world, including Somerville, Cambridge, and Boston.
Program 03
Global Education & Innovation Training Center
Supporting learning through professional development; technical education through the Academany portfolio; training for local entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, and artists.
Program 04
Community-Access Facility
Offering free public-access hours for after-school programming, community-benefit projects, and initiatives and collaborations with local organizations.
Services
What We Do & Who We Serve
What We Offer
- K–12 STEM education
- Teaching & learning through digital fabrication
- Research in sustainable manufacturing
- Research in circular economy practices
- Workforce development for the digital economy
- Entrepreneurship support and prototyping
- A global community of practice
- Art, design, and personal expression
- A culture of innovation and experimentation
- Community resilience initiatives
Who We Serve
- K–12 schools and districts
- Universities and research institutions
- Individual educators and students
- Informal and alternative education organizations
- STEM organizations and libraries
- Community centers and youth programs
- Nonprofits and social-impact organizations
- Entrepreneurs and independent makers
- Corporations and industry partners
- Families and community members
Current Partners
Built with Exceptional Partners
Community Roots
17 Years of Local Partners & Collaborators
From Boston's public schools to research labs and cultural institutions, the community that made this possible.
- 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb School
- Another Course to College
- Arlington Middle School
- Artisan's Asylum
- Beebe School
- Boston Arts Academy
- Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation
- Boston Green Academy
- Breed Middle School
- Dassault Systèmes / SolidWorks
- Dearborn STEM Academy
- East Boston High School
- Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers
- English High School
- Excel High School
- Fab City Somerville
- Fabville
- Fenway High School
- Forest Park Middle School
- Forestdale School
- Formlabs
- GE Foundation
- George Keverian School
- Hackspace, City of Somerville
- Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
- James P. Timilty School
- Jeremiah E. Burke High School
- John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science
- Lilia G. Frederick Pilot Middle School
- Madison Park Technical & Vocational High School
- Marshall Middle School
- McCormack Middle School
- McKinley South End Academy
- Mel King's South End Technology Center
- New Mission High School
- Pickering Middle School
- Snowden International School
- SOMERNOVA
- Sumner G. Whittier School
- TechBoston Academy
- The Community Academy of Science and Health
- Urban Science Academy
- West Roxbury High School
- West Somerville Library
We extend our sincere gratitude to BXP for their generous commitment, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority for their vision and trust in our mission, and the Kendall Square Association for bringing all partners together.
Get Involved
Join Us at Kendall Square
Our facility opens to the public in summer 2026. We welcome partners for development opportunities, content programming, K–12 school engagement, professional prototyping, community service projects, and volunteers and interns.