In the beginning we teach students with the goal of achieving a profound shift - they begin to teach each other.
We understand that each individual arrives with a unique set of strengths - these may fall into traditional educational realms such as mathematics or language arts - but as often as not, they can include the manual arts and creative problems solving. We believe that nurturing and developing a wide array of skills is the key to a better future.
Wenatchee program
Mobile Classroom & Ski Manufacturing Platform
By redefining the classroom we created curiosity. By rethinking manufacturing we created opportunity. From the moment they step aboard students are encouraged to embrace curiosity and opportunity with the goal of accomplishing something special - a set of full custom skis.
The manual artist thrives in well designed, thoughtful, and highly efficient spaces. Good work-flow, an abundance of natural light, connection to the outside world, all allow for a productive and nurturing space. The space that respects the student is likely to be, in turn, respected. This is the standard we build toward.
Embedded in real-world problem-solving are a set of tangible consequences that focuses the mind in a unique way. The power of expecting and acknowledging these consequences is a healthy and positive part of experiential learning and one of the most unique aspects of our program.
The original space was somewhat confining so we fabricated “pop-outs” where the work-decks floated over the snow and were faced with glass. This provided both a window out toward the skiing public and a window into the facility for the curious.
For some, the sense of accomplishment won’t simply be the skis they hold in their hands at the end, but the realization of their abilities to create, work with their hands, and solve problems. Some may be engaged by the inherent connections to science or math. For others it may be a newfound awareness that they are - themselves - teachers and leaders. Regardless of the individual take-aways we are confident that each student will come away with a newfound self-awareness and sense of pride that they may not get in a traditional classroom.
When students come away from this experience with market-competitive skis & snowboards they have taken a giant step towards the self-realization that they could become entrepreneurs and business owners. We hope this demonstrates the relevance of education and results in their continued engagement in the educational opportunities that lay before them.
16 students
18 sets of custom skis
5 days
It’s not uncommon for a student to have had little to no experience with heavy power tools. This can be intimidating and empowering at the same time. Not all students approach it the same way. But one thing is constant, the students become uniquely focused.
Understanding that your contribution in the platform is part of a community effort provides students with a profound sense of purpose and belonging often unavailable in traditional educational settings.
Fourteen students and 5 days of water, food, fuel and the material for 14 sets of skis.
The students work hard and help one another along the way. They were introduced to the power of design and what can be accomplished by working with your own two-hands.
We are Community Fabrication, Kristin Broumas & Michael Lish. We’ve been developing the technology and tooling to build full custom skis both on and off-grid since 2009. Michael started his first mono ski company over 30 years ago and has built over 25 factories both stateside and overseas. Kristin’s background is in design and business management. Together we’ve built several thousand full custom skis and ran hundreds of Build Your Own Ski Workshops.
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CONTACT INFO
Kristin Broumas:
kristin@communityfabrication.com
Michael Lish:
michael@communityskis.com