United States Fab Lab Network

Mission
The mission of the United States Fab Lab (USFLN) is to support digital and personal fabrication in academics, business, and community outreach in the spirit of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Fab Charter.

Vision
The USFLN will be known as a robust community of Fab Labs who have dramatically advanced interest and participation in science and technology careers, collectively created a new generation of entrepreneurs, inventors and artisans; and proactively reunited education and training, art and the artisan, industrial production, and personal expression nationwide –all contributing to the resurgence of American innovation. To learn more about our vision, read our strategic plan.

Priorities
Establish a Robust Clearinghouse of Information to Support Fab Lab Growth & Development
Develop Educational Support Materials
Strengthen Communication & Interaction Among Fab Labs
Cultivate Collaborative Projects
Increase Visibility at Local, Regional, & National Levels
Research & Document Impact of Fab Labs
Grow Resources & Strengthen Network Administration
Core Values
Experimentation: We believe experimentation is the key to invention and overall economic sustainability for the U.S.
Hands-On Learning: We strongly value and support hands-on learning.
Open Access: People of all ages and backgrounds should have open access to space, equipment, and technology among people of all ages and backgrounds.
Collaboration: We believe collectively, we can do more than anyone can accomplish alone.
Problem Solving: We believe all people can help solve real world problems.
Empowerment: We strive to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, inventors, and the general public.
Creativity: We believe that all people have creative talent.
Achievement: We believe Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education can be fun and attainable for all, not just engineers and scientists.