Pictured: Fab Lab volunteer Nathan works with Youth Thrive students.

The Sarasota Housing Authority is buzzing with excitement as the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab (Fab Lab) teams up with the Sarasota Police Department (SPD) to deliver an interactive learning experience for 12 elementary school students in the Housing Authority’s Youth Thrive Summer Enrichment program. Over the course of a month, students were challenged to customize and race remote-control cars, a nod to the Fab Lab’s annual RC Custom Car Open competition. Each student team received a remote-control car kit, generously sponsored by the Sarasota Police Department Foundation. With the support of Fab Lab volunteers and SPD officers, students decorated their cars according to a Lilo & Stitch theme, which was chosen by the children during the first session. The final session will see students racing their uniquely designed cars for fun prizes. This summer project highlights Fab Lab’s ongoing commitment to bringing unique, hands-on programming to local organizations and schools serving underprivileged children, fostering access to and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) fields. To learn more about the STEAM programming offered by the Fab Lab, visit suncoastscience.org. 

Pictured: Fab Lab volunteer Nathan works with Youth Thrive students.