In September, 2016, IDMI opened its doors to a multitude of youth through a variety of outreach programs, giving students a taste of what it would be like to study engineering at UC Irvine. The FabCAMP has become a summer routine on our campus.
“We need to encourage kids to be creators and not just consumers of technology,” explained Leyla Riley, director of academic innovation, partnerships for the UCI Samueli School of Engineering. “Now more than ever, the tools needed to design and build just about anything are becoming more affordable, accessible and easier to use. Our outreach programs emphasize learning by doing and use differentiated learning experiences, building on specific or situational interests. This is an excellent way to engage kids in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).” IDMI provides the manufacturing infrastructure and expertise to introduce these young students to advanced fabrication technologies.