The Mechatronics Academy at Volkswagen celebrated the opening of its new eLab on Monday.
The labs put technology into the hands of kids’ from elementary to high school, with a focus on digital fabrication and design challenges.
Hamilton County Schools has more than 60 Volkswagen eLabs, but this one is a bit different. It’s on the Volkswagen campus and hosts Volkswagen engineers, and the program offers college credit through Chattanooga State Community College.
High school juniors and seniors can use the eLab’s 3D printers, laser cutters, computer-controlled CNC cutters and milling systems and electronic workbenches to explore and troubleshoot expensive designs before building them at the academy’s machining, metalworking, electric and welding stations.
Students can learn computer-aided design, digital fabrication, rapid prototyping and mechatronics systems. One student team is working on an electric car for the Green Spaces Green Prix at Volkswagen, set for Nov. 13-14.