KEyTEC (开物堂, "Kai-wu Hall") is Keystone Academy's university-grade digital fabrication laboratory and the physical home of the TSET (Transdisciplinary Studies in Engineering Technology) program. Named after the classical Chinese concept of "investigating things to extend knowledge," KEyTEC houses industrial-level equipment rarely found in secondary schools: an FR5 robotic arm, digital knife cutter, five-axis CNC, 1.5 m-sized waterjet, 3-axis CNC router, laser cutter, milling machine, and multiple 3D printers.
Unlike traditional STEM labs, KEyTEC operates as a community makerspace open to all students and faculty across the school. It serves as the hub where engineering, visual arts, Chinese humanities, and social-emotional learning converge into project-based, hands-on creation. Students move from digital modeling to physical fabrication, experiencing the complete chain from "imagination to entity" while addressing real-world problems.
The lab's educational philosophy centers on "celebrating mistakes" as essential to innovation. Whether FRC robotics teams machining precision parts, theater teachers 3D-printing stage props, or students building pendulum experiments and go-karts, KEyTEC embodies the Fab Lab ethos: democratizing access to advanced manufacturing tools and empowering learners to become builders of their own futures.
Beyond the Keystone community, KEyTEC actively opens its doors to the broader world. We regularly host hackathons and maker events that welcome students and educators from other schools, fostering a culture of cross-institutional collaboration and innovation. Makers, community partners, and creators from anywhere in the world are also invited to use our space and equipment—simply reach out to our certified Fab Academy Alumni in advance to apply for access. KEyTEC is not just a school lab; it is a node in the global Fab Lab network, committed to sharing knowledge, tools, and the spirit of open creation.