The last project meeting was held on August 24-26, 2022 in Espoo, Finland.
We were hosted by Aalto Fablab, which is a part of Aalto Studios at the Aalto University in Espoo, Finland (Aalto-korkeakoulusäätiö sr).
Despite being located at the university and serving primarily its students and staff, Aalto Fablab is also open to the general public. During the meeting we had a unique opportunity to get to know the FabLab, its structure, spaces and activities, and to visit several other places that support learning new technologies by adults: Aalto Studios (a Media Centre of the future with activities like film, TV and video games and animation, VR/AR/XR, product- and user experience testing, sensor data-analysis, internet-based communication, the digitalization of teaching and maker culture inspired world of fast prototyping); ADDLAB (Aalto University Digital Design Laboratory, a research organisation focused on digital design and manufacturing technologies); Harald Herlin Learning Center (which offers library services, expert services and study and work spaces); Biofilia (Base for Biological Arts, which is a new learning and research environment at the intersection of art, life sciences and technology); Väre workshops at Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture (it provides a great number and variety of spaces – workshops – from knitting, weaving, sewing and textile printing, to 3D print, NC machining, laser cutting and metal workshop); Helsinki Central Library Oodi which is not only a library itself but it also provides various workshop spaces (a makerspace area with 3D-printers, laser cutter, uv-printer, large image printer, vinyl cutter, electronic workstations, heat press, sewing machines, badge makers).
A large part of the meeting was devoted to project management. Since it was our last meeting in person, we have talked through several key issues: the current state of the project, last corrections to the project publication, final report preparation, and financial reporting, evaluation of various aspects of the project, discussing follow-up ideas and future cooperation, including ideas for the development of Erasmus+ projects.
