Future Lab.
The Fill
FUTURE LAB
The FUTURE LAB - the “coolest knowledge factory for digital talents and innovative minds” - is a modern knowledge and learning center for children, young people and adults. The focus is on digitalization, research, innovation, science and technology.
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Discover your Genius.
With curiosity, children, young people and adults discover their interests and talents and learn about new professions. On 140 square meters, the intergenerational think tank “FUTURE LAB” offers educational opportunities of a special kind. Equipped with 3D printers, green screen, lots of robots, programming platforms and much more, the FUTURE LAB offers a creative and inspiring environment to experience future technologies up close.
Eight labs
The FUTURE LAB consists of eight labs in the STEM fields: VR LAB, DATA LAB, SMART LAB, HEALTH LAB, ROBO LAB, MOBILITY LAB, MAKING LAB and MEDIA LAB. Each lab is a self-contained learning unit in which participants playfully acquire knowledge and skills for tomorrow. Goal-oriented action, careful use of equipment and the ability to work in a team and reflect are essential skills that are taught in the workshop.
The FUTURE LAB concept is aimed at a wide range of target groups. Our workshops inspire children and young people from kindergartens, elementary schools, secondary schools and upper secondary schools as well as apprentices and adults. Our stakeholders also have the opportunity to work on innovations and collaborations in the FUTURE LAB.
FUTURE LAB Labs
Tasks
- Getting to know virtual realities (VR, AR and MR)
- Exploring and using virtual tools
- Taking 360° images and videos
- Examining the technologies in relation to social aspects
Skills & competencies
- Spatial awareness
- Adaptability
- Communication skills
Equipment
- Virtual reality glasses (including MR application) and controller
- Laptop
- 360° camera
- Smartphone
Tasks
- Generation and collection of information and data (big data, machine learning)
- Evaluation and visualization of data
- Monitoring and control based on data analysis
- Critical illumination of data backup
Skills & competencies
- Analytical and decision-making skills
- Logical and forward-thinking
- Ability to work under pressure
- Time management
Equipment
- Smart TV
- Cameras
- Computer
- Smartphone
- Tablet
- Microphone
- Data generation tools
Tasks
- Getting to know voice-controlled technologies
- Controlling communication between different devices (smart home)
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Critical examination of smart technologies
Skills & competencies
- Logical and abstract thinking
- Precise way of working
- Patience
- Concentration
Equipment
- Amazon Echo „Alexa“
- Command receiver from Alexa (table lamps, rotating lights)
- Tablets and Laptop
- AI applications
Tasks
- Getting to know different health tools
- Collecting and evaluating health-related data
- Carrying out and recording performance and stress tests
- Creating a training plan based on the results
- Critically examination of technologies for daily use
Skills & competencies
- Empathy
- Endurance
- Motivation
- Communication skills
Equipment
- Blood pressure and heart rate monitors
- Fitness equipment and robots
- Smartphone
- Tablet
- AR Body cards
Tasks
- Getting to know different types of robots and the areas of application of robots in everyday life
- Programming and controlling different motion sequences
- Using robots from the industrial sector
- Critical examination of the topic in relation to workplaces
Skills & competencies
- Logical thinking
- Spatial imagination
- Patience
- Concentration
Equipment
- Different robots with different programming languages
- Smartphone
- Tablet
Tasks
- Getting to know different transport and spy systems
- Setting up and controlling a logistics system by rail and air
- Controlling a drone
- Critical examination of technologies in terms of societal and social aspects
Skills & competencies
- Spatial awareness
- Logical thinking
- Fine motor skills
- Resilience
Equipment
- Drone
- Spy Robot
- Rail transportation system
- Smartphone
Tasks
- Getting to know technologies
- Construction, design and production of own prototypes
- Building electronic circuits
- Critical examination of technologies in terms of resources
Skills & competencies
- Abstract thinking
- Spatial imagination
- Fine motor skills
- Creativity
Equipment
- Laser cutter
- 3D printer
- 3D printing pens
- Electronic components
- Laptop
Tasks
- Learning about media technology, recording, communication and storing information
- Creating video content by using the latest technology and a green screen
- Publishing posts on social media
- Livestreaming events
- Critical examinination of media and the easy dissemination of information and fake news
Skills & competencies
- Verbal expression
- Creativity
- Media Skills
Equipment
- PC with programs for video recording and editing
- Video camera
- Microphone, lighting and headset
- Props for video recordings
- Green screen and various backgrounds
- Smartphone
- Tablet
Workshop formats
We offer tailor-made workshop formats for children, young people and adults depending on the target group, age and topic. We focus on teaching digital and social skills in over ten workshop programs.
FUTURE LAB
Kids discover technologies
Children explore digitalization and technology in a playful way. The experiments and instruments are age-appropriate and are ideally suited to the children's previous knowledge. After the introduction, the children move from lab to lab and discover the digital world.
Duration: 2.5-3.5 hours (depending on age)
Number: 10 to 26 children
Target group: Explorers from kindergartens and elementary schools (3-10 years)
FUTURE LAB Expert
Participants work in teams to learn about different labs and their technologies, becoming “experts” in their respective subject areas. Participants rotate through the various tasks in a station-based format.
Duration: 3.5-4 hours
Number: 10 to 26 persons
Target group: Middle schools, high schools, adults
FUTURE LAB
Team challenge
The focus of this format is on team building and competition. Cooperation within the group is very important for joint success. The digital networking of the eight labs and the common goal make the “We are one” spirit clearly palpable.
After the introductory phase, participants are divided into eight groups. Each team has approximately two hours to familiarize themselves with the technologies and solve the individual challenges independently. Everyone has a common goal: to carry out the robo-cup. Each team contributes to the successful execution of the event. At the end, the experiences are reflected upon, parallels to everyday situations and the professional world are drawn, and the opportunities and risks of digitalization are discussed.
Target group: Due to the high degree of self-management required to complete the tasks, the “FUTURE LAB Team challenge” is suitable for participants from the eighth grade of secondary school (middle school, lower secondary school), for upper secondary school students/apprentices, and for adults.
Duration: 4.5 hours
Number: 18 to 26 participants
FUTURE LAB
Advanced Workshops
The following content will be covered in an advanced workshop with more complex tasks and processes. We recommend completing the FUTURE LAB Expert workshop beforehand.
- Future of Draft
Building understanding for the production of the future with 3D printing, laser cutting, and prototyping. - EduCode Yourself
Acquire basic knowledge of technologies and the binary system and program your own functions with Scratch. - World of Robotic
Get to know toy and industrial robots and learn how to use their programming and functions safely.
- Media, Movie & More
Create creative video and image material, edit a short film, and market it. - Digital project
Experience digitization solutions through creative use. - Artificial intelligence (AI) (for teachers)
Neuronal networks, possible applications, trends, and critical analysis of AI
Please contact us for further information and advice on the advanced workshops.
MINTelligence Area
The FUTURE LAB's learning app.
In modern mechanical engineering, we deal with challenges and tasks in the field of digitalization and STEM (= science, technology, engineering, mathematics) on a daily basis. These topics inspire us and we want to pass this enthusiasm on to future generations. Since 2022, the FUTURE LAB has been "paperless" and encourages self-directed learning using the interactive FUTURE LAB learning app.
After a long development period, the MINTelligence Area in our FUTURE LAB app is now available to you and your students from middle school onwards completely free of charge. We would be delighted if you would take the time to immerse yourself in the world of digitalization with your class - completely independent of time and place.
Digital basic education using the app
Pupils work through the tasks in the app at their own pace. For particularly interested students, there are additional in-depth decks on various topics. The content of digi.komp8 has been specifically covered. They are designed to support your curriculum and offer a varied supplement to lessons. In the integrated quiz mode, young people can playfully test their knowledge and collect competence points.
The app can be operated from all digital devices. Whether PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. The only requirement is a stable internet connection. There is also audio playback for texts and visual content included.
For first-time use, please contact us - we will be happy to send you all the necessary information.
Download the FUTURE LAB FILL app from the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store and browse through the digital content.
FAQ's
The most frequently asked questions and answers about the FUTURE LAB are summarized here.
Do you have further questions? Please contact us directly by e-mail or telephone.
Every child - regardless of gender, social or geographical background - should have access to the STEM fields and their technologies. That's why we offer various age-appropriate workshop formats for school classes.
Take a look at the video “Play for talents”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmCtoBDit5E
The workshop is free of charge for schools from the Innviertel region and first-time visits by a school class from outside the Innviertel region. Only the individual transportation costs must be covered by the guests themselves. For other educational institutions with the aim of preparing job seeking people for the labor market, we are happy to offer workshops for a fee on request.
Fill in the contact form or send us an e-mail. We will be happy to arrange a suitable date, workshop format and other details together. Fill in the booking form and we will plan your visit.
- Kids discover technologogies: Available for kindergartens (children from the age of three) and elementary schools (all school levels)
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FUTURE LAB Expert and advanced workshops: Possible for middle schools, high schools and adults.
We offer various workshop formats. We will be happy to advise you individually based on your needs. You can find details on the individual formats under: Workshop formats.
Depending on the workshop format, our workshops usually last between two and four hours, including a break. Visitors are divided into small groups and rotate through the various labs, learning about different technologies from the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). All workshop leaders are educated in the field of training and education and design the workshops in an age-appropriate way.
The minimum group size for free workshops is 10 people. If the minimum number is not reached at short notice, please let us know in advance. To ensure that the workshop offers maximum added value for your group, we recommend a maximum number of 26 children. If your group is larger, we will be happy to discuss the possibilities individually.
- No prior knowledge in the STEM fields is required
- For children in the first grade of elementary school, we recommend visits from the second semester
- To ensure that the children are well supervised and that the duty of supervision is fulfilled, a sufficient number of accompanying persons (teachers or parents) are required to actively supervise one station each after a brief introduction to the lab.
- The organization of a means of transport (public bus and train possible)
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Visitors should bring a snack, drink and slippers to the workshop.
You can arrive by public bus (Gurten center), train (Gurten station) or by private means (e.g. organized bus). Depending on the mode of arrival and departure, we will arrange the meeting point at the Fill main entrance (Fillstraße 1, 4942 Gurten) or directly at the Future Lab (Zukunftsstraße 2, 4942 Gurten). We are happy to arrange the workshop times to suit you (morning or afternoon possible). We usually start between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM and finish the workshop by 12:15 AM or 17:00 PM.
Yes - you are welcome to visit us several times in the Future Lab and also get to know other labs and advanced workshops. Please ask us for details. You can find further offers at Fill under: Educational offers.
It is important to us to offer your group an extraordinary experience. Every child or adult in your group should have the opportunity to get to know STEM technologies with us. If participants have health (e.g. mental or physical) restrictions or language barriers, please let us know at the time of booking. All necessary facilities are located on the first floor and are barrier-free.
We ask for your understanding that visits are only possible as part of school visits or vacation programms organized by local authorities (during the summer vacations). You are also welcome to visit us at other events (e.g. Long Night of Research, Long Night of Teaching) to gain an insight into the FUTURE LAB. During the summer vacations, we offer free vacation passes for groups of ten or more children. Please contact us for details.