A fab lab is a digital fabrication makerspace where everyone can create just about anything they can imagine. At BNY Fab Lab Kamin Science Center, we equip you with maker technology and knowledge that empowers you to innovate and invent. In other words, we make makers. Join us in the lab for a hands-on STEM experience!
A fab lab is a makerspace where you can create something from design to fabrication. In other words, a fab lab makes makers. The BNY Fab Lab at Kamin Science Center equips you with the maker technology knowledge that empowers you to innovate and invent. Join us for one of the most hands-on STEM experiences in Pittsburgh!
Drop-in hands-on activities in the Fab Lab
Mon., Nov. 17
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Discover how Victorian-era optical illusions laid the groundwork for modern animation, then make your own spinning thaumatrope! Shape clay characters and bring them to life using iPads and stop motion animation, frame by frame!
Mon., Nov. 24
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Design a digital quilt square inspired by Native American star quilts using Tinkercad. We’ll print your creation and add it to our community mosaic! Celebrate tradition through technology and contribute to our collaborative art piece.
Mon., Dec. 1
10:30 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Transform a laser-cut turkey into a master of disguise. Use craft materials to help it hide out before Thanksgiving! Create a flying turkey to sling into the air! Explore aerodynamics by adjusting your design.
Thurs., Dec. 4 and Mon., Dec. 8
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 6 and Sun., Dec. 7
10:30 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Construct your own laser-cut glider, then launch it to explore how design affects flight! Hands-on engineering meets aerodynamics, perfect for curious minds and future pilots!
Sun., Dec. 14
10:30 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 15
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Engineer the tallest free-standing tower that can support a fluffy indoor snowball. Can your design stand strong? Cut and fold your own unique paper snowflake while exploring the natural geometry behind these icy wonders!
Wed., Dec. 17; Thurs., Dec. 18; Fri., Dec. 19; and Mon., Dec. 22
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 20; and Sun., Dec. 21
10:30 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Build a gingerbread house silhouette from cardboard, decorate it with snowy details, and add it to our growing village display! Design your own festive holiday card using themed vinyl stickers. Create a cheerful message to share or take home!
Tues., Dec. 23; Mon., Dec. 29; Tues., Dec. 30; and Wed., Dec. 31
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 24; Fri., Dec. 26; Sat., Dec. 27; and Sun., Dec. 28
10:30 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Bring your snowman to life by decorating a frosty friend with colorful vinyl cut stickers, your own winter masterpiece to take home! Discover how computers talk using the binary alphabet, then craft a festive ornament that spells out a message in binary code.
Wed., Oct. 22–Mon., Oct. 27
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Create your own leaf stamp art! Explore the shapes and textures of fall foliage while making art inspired by nature.
Mon., Nov. 3
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Use themed stickers to design and create a frightfully fun Halloween card to share or take home. Craft your own jack-o’-lantern using laser-cut materials and imagination! Cut, decorate, and bring your pumpkin to life, no carving required!
Wed., Nov. 5–Fri., Nov. 7, and Mon., Nov. 10
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 8 and Sun., Nov. 9
10:30 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Art meets making in the Fab Lab! You become the 3D printer when you use these pens to create unique designs from plastic filament.
Wed., Nov. 5–Fri., Nov. 7, and Mon., Nov. 10
11:00 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 8 and Sun., Nov. 9
10:30 a.m.–Noon
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Take a fantastic voyage through 3D printing in the Fab lab. Watch a 3D printer be assembled. Help disassemble a printer, and become a 3d printer yourself by using our 3D printing pens!
Mon., Oct. 13
11:00 a.m.–Noon, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Use laser-cut parts to assemble a simple car, then leave it behind for the next builder to continue the journey! Code a sphero robot through a custom maze, and learn about the physics behind motion using 3D design software!
Sat., Oct. 18–Sun., Oct. 19
10:30 a.m.–Noon, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 20
11:00 a.m.–Noon, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Get hands-on with engineering basics! Use blocks and craft sticks to build your own bridge and explore how structure and design affect strength. Design a virtual highway bridge using the a digital simulation, and earn how real engineers use digital tools to test strength, balance, and cost before construction begins.
Sun., Sept. 21
10:30 a.m.–Noon, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 22
11:00 a.m.–Noon, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Learn about dinosaurs in 2D and 3D! Make a custom dinosaur bookmark, and assemble laser cut dinosaur skeletons.
Wed., Sept. 24, Thurs., Sept. 25, Fri., Sept. 26, and Mon. Sept. 29
10:30 a.m.–Noon, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 27, and Sun., Sept. 28
10:30 a.m.–Noon, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Create your own mini field guide! Choose from a variety of animal track stickers and build a personalized book to identify and learn about wildlife footprints.
These classes lay the foundation for using Fab Lab’s laser cutters, 3D printers, vinyl cutters and more. They serve as certifications that count as a prerequisite for the Fab Lab Open Workshops (FLOW).
Advance registration is required. Due to small class sizes and limited availability, 101 classes are non-refundable.
Please note: Tickets are being sold up to four weeks in advance.
Equipment in the Fab Lab Includes:
Open FLOW sessions are included in General Admission on select days.
BNY Fab Lab welcomes people ages 8 and up with all levels of experience.
All equipment is provided during open FLOW sessions.
Scheduled public workshops are also available to learn the basics of maker technology. Learn more about our workshop options and buy tickets.
Bring the Fab Lab to you! Discover how you can make makers in your organization with our Mobile Fab Lab.
Started in 2017, Mentors in the Making is a 1:1 mentoring program at BNY Fab Lab for underserved youth ages 14-18 from the Pittsburgh area. The program runs from October to March.
Apply today to become a part of the Mentors in the Making program and take the first step toward an exciting future in STEM.
Students are paired with STEM professionals to co-learn digital fabrication, software, and design skills.
Weekly sessions are held in the Fab Lab and online.
Participants receive materials, transportation vouchers, and a laptop with CAD software.
Phase 1: Earn CNC machine certification through hands-on learning.
Phase 2: Collaborate on a community-impact capstone project using new design and fabrication skills.
Mentors model problem-solving, collaboration, and communication while offering guidance on school and career choices.