Structuring the prototyping spaces @Mines Saint-Étienne

Complementary in the design and testing of projects, these spaces share the operating principles of “Fablabs”: participatory workshops, self-directed learning spaces, interaction, and openness to the local area. Deployed across both Mines Saint-Étienne campuses, they are part of an engineering and educational innovation approach.

Initial insights at a time when these spaces are gaining momentum within the School.

Two prototyping spaces have been taking shape and developing for several months in Saint-Étienne and Gardanne, through a co-working approach centred on the core missions of two fab managers: overall management of the spaces, support and guidance for students in using the equipment and delivering educational projects, and support for research work and the activities of TEAM@Mines Saint-Étienne startups.

Spaces serving educational innovation

Innovative project-based learning approaches implemented within the School’s programmes, in particular ICM and ISMIN, rely on these two prototyping spaces: study projects, technical and industrial projects, Innovation, Creation and Entrepreneurship projects, GP Prototyping, Innov’Actions, Dynamo Days…
“This is not a classroom but a learning space”: the various programmes can include, in their teaching plan, dedicated time for students to prototype independently; this collaborative space gives them access to the resources and equipment needed for their work.

This “Learning & Living Lab” approach makes it possible to experiment with the “maker” dynamic, “doing”, and interaction supported by our spaces: creations to test and try out, always with a Do it together (DIT) and Do it yourself (DIY) mindset.

Two spaces working in synergy

There are effective complementarities between the two campuses, with clearly identified focus areas and the same educational objective. Using the space is also part of the continuation of a course or a project, which fosters interdisciplinarity through a culture of “doing”.
Work on a shared usage charter is currently being developed. Attendance, traceability, uses and utilisation are subject to joint monitoring, which is essential for the development and scaling of the facilities.
The development of an educational network with other schools and broader openness (workshops, events, etc.) are under consideration.

Local networks

The School does not wish to duplicate internally what already exists locally, but plans to expand its service catalogue through partnerships.

Accordingly, to encourage reciprocal exchanges, a partnership with em Lyon (Early Makers) has been confirmed on the Saint-Étienne campus. Close links with the Metropolis and the Region are being developed on this topic. The School takes part in collaborative meetings organised locally.

The Id-Fab prototyping space in Gardanne has initiated collaborative exchanges with mid-sized and small-to-medium enterprises working in the areas of excellence of the Centre of Microelectronics in Provence. Student projects are also being carried out in collaboration with companies, and will soon be presented in detail.

Contacts: Hubert Taxil (Saint-Étienne Campus) and Marc Hamand (GC Provence Campus)