How OMTech and BrainBuilders Empower the Next Generation of STEM Makers
Today's students learn best when they're encouraged to create, experiment, and solve real-world problems. While traditional classroom instruction remains important, many schools and STEM organizations are embracing hands-on technologies that transform learning into an engaging, interactive experience.
That's exactly what BrainBuilders STEM Education has accomplished.
Through its partnership with OMTech, BrainBuilders has expanded its digital fabrication capabilities with professional laser engraving technology, giving students new opportunities to design, prototype, build, and customize projects that bring their ideas to life.
The collaboration demonstrates how educational institutions can use OMTech laser engravers not only to enhance STEM education but also to inspire creativity, engineering, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving among the next generation of makers.
1. About BrainBuilders
BrainBuilders is a STEM education center dedicated to helping students become independent thinkers and confident problem solvers. Rather than relying solely on textbooks, the organization emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through practical projects.
Its programs combine creativity with technical skills through activities such as:
- Computer programming
- CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
- Digital art
- Video game development
- Robotics
- Chemistry experiments
- Electronics and soldering
- Woodworking
- 3D printing
- Laser cutting and engraving
By allowing students to design, build, and test their own ideas, BrainBuilders creates an environment where learning feels more like innovation than classroom instruction.
As BrainBuilders founder Shane explains:
"Our vision is to empower students to think independently and achieve their goals. We want to inspire the next generation of learners through technology and hands-on learning, not just throw the book at them."
Building a Complete STEM Learning Environment
Walking through the BrainBuilders facility reveals how modern STEM education extends far beyond a traditional classroom.
Students begin in a dedicated computer lab where they learn digital skills including CAD design, coding, digital art, and video game development. These digital designs then become physical projects in the organization's fabrication labs.
The center also features a large makerspace equipped with multiple 3D printers, allowing students to create everything from personalized keychains to engineering prototypes. Their work is proudly displayed throughout the facility, encouraging creativity while giving students tangible proof of what they can accomplish.
For younger learners, the workshop introduces foundational engineering concepts through woodworking, soldering, upcycled engineering, and basic tool usage. These activities teach practical skills while reinforcing concepts such as measurement, planning, teamwork, and iterative design.
Together, these spaces create a complete innovation pipeline, from digital concept to finished product.
How OMTech Laser Engravers Fit Into the Learning Process
Laser engraving has become one of the most exciting parts of the BrainBuilders experience.
Students aren't simply watching demonstrations; they're designing projects themselves, preparing files, selecting materials, and seeing their ideas transformed into finished products within minutes.
BrainBuilders has relied on OMTech equipment for years, beginning with a 100W CO₂ laser engraver that has remained remarkably dependable.
According to Shane:
"We've had our 100-watt machine for about four or five years. After all that time, we've only replaced the laser tube. It's been super consistent and super reliable."
That long-term reliability is especially valuable for educational institutions, where equipment is used frequently by multiple instructors and student groups throughout the year.
Expanding Possibilities with New OMTech Technology
Through its collaboration with OMTech, BrainBuilders recently expanded its laser lab by adding new systems, including the OMTech Pronto 45 100W CO₂ Laser and a Galvo Fiber Laser Engraver.
The additional machines have significantly increased the organization's fabrication capabilities.
Instead of waiting for a single laser to complete every project, multiple student groups can now work simultaneously, dramatically increasing classroom productivity while exposing students to different laser technologies.
The expanded setup allows students to experience:
- Faster project turnaround
- Larger cutting areas for ambitious designs
- Precision engraving on a wider range of materials
- High-speed metal marking with fiber laser technology
- Real-world manufacturing workflows
Perhaps most importantly, students can compare multiple laser technologies and understand how different manufacturing tools are used in modern industry.
Bringing Student Ideas to Life
For many students, the most rewarding moment comes when a digital design becomes a physical object. Laser engravers make that transformation almost immediate. At BrainBuilders, students regularly use OMTech lasers to create:
- Custom robotics components
- Personalized nameplates
- Decorative acrylic projects
- Wooden engineering models
- Competition parts
- Classroom awards
- Educational prototypes
- Personalized gifts
- Signage
- Creative art projects
One example Shane shared involves students building gravity-powered race cars.
Instead of assembling identical kits, students use the laser to design and engrave their own custom license plates and personalized components, encouraging ownership, creativity, and design thinking.
The robotics program has also benefited significantly. High school teams now fabricate custom wooden and acrylic components, engrave decorative panels, and add finishing touches that simply weren't possible before having access to laser technology.
As Shane explains:
"Now we're leveling up the kids' education through OMTech."
Why Laser Engravers Are Valuable for Educational Institutions
BrainBuilders' experience highlights why laser engravers have become essential tools in many schools, libraries, makerspaces, universities, and STEM centers.
Unlike single-purpose classroom equipment, laser engravers support dozens of academic disciplines.
- Engineering and robotics: Students fabricate mechanical components, test prototypes, and produce custom parts for robotics competitions.
- Design and digital fabrication: CAD files become real-world objects, helping students understand manufacturing processes while strengthening design skills.
- Entrepreneurship: Students can create marketable products, personalized gifts, and branded merchandise, introducing concepts such as product development, customization, and small-business manufacturing.
- Art and creativity: Laser engraving combines technical precision with artistic expression, allowing students to produce intricate designs on wood, acrylic, leather, cardboard, and many other materials.
- Career readiness: Digital fabrication tools mirror technologies used throughout modern manufacturing, engineering, architecture, industrial design, and product development, giving students valuable workforce skills before graduation.
Why Educational Institutions Partner with OMTech
For schools and educational organizations, purchasing equipment is only one part of building a successful makerspace. Ongoing support, training, and accessible learning resources are equally important.
OMTech makes it easier for schools to bring laser technology into the classroom with a 5%-20% discount (depending on machine and quantity) for verified educational institutions.
Educational partners can benefit from:
- Exclusive education discounts
- Professional laser engraving equipment
- Bundled learning courses and tutorials
- Ready-to-use SVG project files
- Local technical support
- Educational resources for instructors and students
These resources help reduce implementation time while enabling educators to focus on teaching rather than troubleshooting equipment.
Supporting the Future of STEM Education with OMTech
The partnership between OMTech and BrainBuilders demonstrates what's possible when education and technology come together with a shared mission.
Students gain access to professional fabrication tools that inspire creativity, strengthen problem-solving skills, and prepare them for future careers in engineering, manufacturing, design, and technology.
Meanwhile, educators gain reliable equipment capable of supporting everything from classroom demonstrations to advanced student projects.
As more schools, libraries, universities, museums, and STEM organizations invest in makerspaces, laser engraving technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in helping students turn ideas into reality.
Support Your Educational Institution By Partnering With OMTech
By partnering with organizations like BrainBuilders, OMTech is helping make advanced manufacturing technology more accessible to educators and empowering the next generation of innovators, engineers, designers, and makers.
If your school, library, makerspace, university, or STEM center is looking to expand its hands-on learning opportunities, partnering with OMTech can provide the tools, educational resources, and technical support needed to build a thriving fabrication program that inspires students for years to come.
Visit OMTechEducation and fill in the details of your institution to benefit from our discounts on machines and other forms of support.
