The Academy of (almost) Anything

With the increasing availability and ease of use of digital tools and systems, both in the world of fabrication, biology and design, the possibility to solve problems locally is becoming greater every day. But it is often overlooked that the tools and means to build objects destined for everyday use, or to safely use synthetic biology to locally produce energy or medicine, is not at all easy or trivial.

Academany is an innovative educational network that redefines traditional learning by emphasizing a distributed rather than purely distance-based model. Instead of centralizing education in a single location, Academany brings the campus experience directly to the student, enabling hands-on learning within local labs or hubs around the world. Its programs focus on weekly skill development, where students acquire practical, technical, and creative skills through structured exercises and collaborative learning. This weekly progress ultimately builds toward final projects that synthesize everything learned, fostering both independence and real-world application of knowledge.

Different topics to learn

Academany offers a diverse range of classes that blend technology, creativity, and hands-on learning. Current programs include the Fab Academy, focused on “How to Make (Almost) Anything” through digital fabrication; Fabricademy, which explores the intersection of textiles, biology, and digital fabrication; the Fab Learning Academy, a distributed program that trains and certifies educators to integrate digital fabrication into educational ecosystems; and Fab All In, a dynamic series of sessions designed to build skills, knowledge, and capacity around social systems co-evolving with digital fabrication technologies. New classes are continuously in development, such as the Bio Academy – “How to Grow (Almost) Anything” – and the upcoming Agricademy, among others.

These courses were born out of the creativity and collaborative spirit of the Fab Lab Network, emerging as a response to the growing need for alternative, distributed methods of knowledge transfer. Rooted in the network’s hands-on, open-source ethos, these educational programs were designed to empower learners globally by making advanced skills and tools accessible regardless of location. By leveraging the Fab Labs’ global presence, the courses offer a unique model where learning happens locally but is connected globally, fostering a vibrant, peer-driven ecosystem of innovation and education.

Who can take these courses?

Everyone!

Academany is open to students, professionals, and lifelong learners from all backgrounds and disciplines who are seeking fresh perspectives or looking to expand the scope of their practice. Whether you’re experienced in your field or just beginning to explore a new area of interest, Academany welcomes individuals from all walks of life, encouraging diversity, curiosity, and a passion for hands-on learning.