New FABLAB Jackson County encourages STEM education in Mississippi

VANCLEAVE, MS, March 15, 2018 – Chevron celebrated the opening of a fabrication lab (FABLAB) in Vancleave today that will further spur the creative economy and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) fields.

The grand opening and ceremonial ribbon-cutting included remarks by representatives of Chevron, Jackson County School District, FAB Foundation and the Mississippi Department of Education.

“We are excited to partner with Fab Foundation and the Jackson County School District to open Mississippi’s first state-of-the-art FABLAB,” said Chris Cavote, Chevron Pascagoula Refinery General Manager.  “Education and economic development are linked, and it is essential that our future workforce be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities they’ll have before them.”

In April 2017, Chevron provided a $1.2 million grant to fund a mobile FABLAB unit and stationary FABLAB located in Vancleave. This is the ninth lab Chevron has brought to areas where the company operates. “Investing in STEM is a national imperative and we are dedicated to working with our partners to provide cutting-edge tools that foster innovation for the benefit of K-12 students around the country,” said Janet Auer, Global Social Investment Advisor at Chevron.

FABLAB Jackson County will provide opportunities for K-12 students and members of the community to design and invent almost anything they can imagine. The lab includes a suite of digital fabrication tools and prototyping machines such as laser cutters, 3D Printers, vinyl cutters and milling machines.

“Opening FABLAB Jackson County increases access to STEM resources for K-12 students and the wider community, connecting people and creating opportunities for learning, experimentation and business,” said Dr. Barry Amacker, Jackson County School District Superintendent.

The Fab Foundation supports Fab Labs worldwide in a wide range of projects that foster and accelerate education, innovation, entrepreneurship, business development and community building. FABLAB Jackson County located at 12004 Highway 57 will be open to the community, businesses and students. Visit www.fablabjacksoncounty.org for more information.

Chevron has invested $400 million in STEM education in the United States since 2013.

About Chevron
Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. The company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemicals and additives; generates power and produces geothermal energy; and develops and deploys technologies that enhance business value in every aspect of the company’s operations. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About Fab Foundation
Formed in 2009 to facilitate and support the growth of the international fab lab network as well as the development of regional capacity-building organizations. The Fab Foundation is a US non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that emerged from MIT’s Center for Bits & Atoms Fab Lab Program. Our mission is to provide access to the tools, the knowledge and the financial means to educate, innovate and invent using technology and digital fabrication to allow anyone to make (almost) anything, and thereby creating opportunities to improve lives and livelihoods around the world. Community organizations, educational institutions and non-profit concerns are our primary beneficiaries.