‘FabLab TV’ launches new show at Archer

By Sarah Wagner, Editor-in-Chief|March 4, 2016

Mayim Bialik speaks at FabLab’s press event in the Dining Hall. Mayim is a neuroscientist. She researched OCD and chemicals in the brain that contributed to the disorder for her PHD dissertation. Photo by Sarah Wagner ’16

A chorus of “wow” sounded through the Dining Hall as Head of School Elizabeth English announced that “FabLab TV” would launch their new show at Archer.

“The rest of this week is going to be a lot of fun, a little crazy and very exciting,” English said during a brief Upper School meeting on Monday.

During the press conference, several of the young stars in attendance played a game show in which they guessed scientific trivia. Photographer: Sarah Wagner '16
During the press conference, several of the young stars in attendance participated in a game show in which they guessed scientific trivia. Photographer: Sarah Wagner ’16

What is “FabLab”? According to their press release, “’FabLab’ has one mission: to get girls enthused about STEM by drawing the connections between STEM innovations and making the world a better place.”

Thursday, “FabLab” held a press conference where they spoke about their goals and launch at Archer. Several celebrities attended the event, such as Mayim Bialik, Katherine McNamara, Kelli Berglund, Brec Bassinger, Chloe Lukasiak, Chantel Jeffries, Paris Berelc, Luna Blaise and Roshon Fegan.

Mayim Bialik spoke at the press conference about her involvement with FabLab and her own story of scientific involvement.

She opened her speech with “Thank you. I am a scientist, and I play one on TV,” referring to her character Amy Farrah Fowler in “The Big Bang Theory.”

“I went to UCLA for my undergraduate and also my graduate degree. So for 12 years I pretty much passed [Archer], for one reason or another — you guys always have a maypole up,” she said.  “I went to public school my whole life, but I will tell you that I always wished that I could have gone to a girls’ school,” Bialik said. “I was not raised thinking that I could be part of science math technology and engineering world. I thought science was for boys, and honestly if I had gone to a girls’ school I think I could have had a lot less pressure surrounding those stereotypes.”

Filming will continue through Friday.