University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Community Partners

We learn from our partners what is best for their organization and community, then team up to support their vision.

Our Community Partners

Relationships with our community partners serve as the bedrock to our engagement work, allowing long-term, sustainable and consistent programing and services.

2012 - Present

Since 2012, the Fab Lab has been working with UNCC to provide after-school and summer STEAM programming for middle and high-school students. The 2018 UC2B Community Benefit Fund grant allowed the Fab Lab and UNCC to build out a maker space and recording studio in their Digital Learning Garage.

2013 - Present

Through staff assistance and IT help, the Fab Lab supports the Urbana Free Library’s Teen Open Lab, an after-school space where teens can freely explore music, art, sewing, games, and many other forms of making.

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2017 - Present

Since working together on Project Maple, the Fab Lab and Urbana Middle School teachers partner together to offer engaging hands-on maker curriculum in the classrooms. Fab Lab staff help interested teachers in curriculum development, as well as run workshops during class time.

Past Community Partners

Southern Illinois Extension Unit 27

2014-2019
Grant-Illinois Extension and Outreach Initiative Digital Innovation

Champaign Public Library

2014-2017
Grant-DCEC Ending the Digital Divide
Betsy Su, Sarah Butt, Emilie Butt, and Kathie Kading

Tap In Leadership Academy

2014-2016
Grant- DCEC Ending the Digital Divide
Sally Jackson

Oakwood Public Library

2014-2018
Grant-Illinois Extension and Outreach Initiative Digital Innovation

Interested in Becoming a Community Partner?

We’d love to meet you. Let us know a bit about yourself and your organization.

Starting Sunday, May 21

Summer Open Hours

Sundays: 1-6PM

Let’s make something awesome! All community and university members are welcome to stop in and create cool things using our tools and software during our open hours. – Don’t know where to begin? Staff are here to answer questions and help you get started.

The Lab will be closed: 

  • 5/28 – Memorial Day Weekend
  • 6/18 – Juneteenth Weekend
  • 7/2 – 4th of July Weekend