Gov. Evers Announces 20 Wisconsin School Districts to be Awarded Fab Lab Grants in Celebration of “Fab Lab Day”
Funding to provide students with hands-on STEAM learning opportunities to prepare for careers in advanced technologies
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, in celebration of “Fab Lab Day”, together with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), announced nearly $500,000 in grants to 20 Wisconsin school districts to train students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) skills and prepare them for careers using advanced technologies through establishing or expanding local fabrication laboratory (fab lab) facilities.
“During the Year of the Kid, it’s more important than ever to invest in the future of Wisconsin’s kids and give them every opportunity to develop valuable skills that they can use to become the leaders and innovators tomorrow,” said Gov. Evers. “Thanks to our partners at WEDC, school districts across the state will be able to equip their students with state-of-the-art laboratories for learning, ensuring our kids have the education and resources necessary to become the workforce of tomorrow.”
A fabrication laboratory, or Fab Lab, is a high-technology workshop equipped with computer-controlled manufacturing components such as 3D printers, laser engravers, computer numerical control routers, and plasma cutters. Through the Fab Lab Grant Program, WEDC is supporting the purchase of fab lab equipment for instructional and educational purposes for K-12 students across the state.
“WEDC has invested over $5.5 million over the past ten years to provide 133 schools across the state with the equipment necessary to help students learn high-demand skills, including technology, manufacturing, and engineering,” said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. “Fab Labs benefit not only the students themselves with important technology and career skills, but they also benefit Wisconsin employers, who will be able to find workers with the right skills to allow their companies to grow and thrive.”
A total of $497,199 in Fab Lab Grants from WEDC will be distributed to 20 public school districts across the state. Individual school districts were eligible for grants of up to $25,000, and consortiums of two or more districts were eligible for up to $50,000. The program requires matching funds from each district.
The following school districts were awarded Fab Lab Grants:
- Elkhorn Area School District | $25,000
- School District of Nekoosa | $24,847
- DeForest Area School District | $25,000
- Albany School District | $25,000
- School District of Belleville | $14,824
- Nicolet Union High School District | $25,000
- Joint School District 1/Benton School District | $16,936
- School District of Arcadia | $25,000
- Alma Area Schools | $25,000
- CESA 3 (consortium) | $49,872
- North Crawford School District | $24,856
- Weyauwega-Fremont School District | $20,000
- Luck School District | $25,000
- Muskego-Norway Schools | $21,688
- Whitnall School District | $25,000
- Tri-County Area School District | $25,000
- School District of Monroe | $25,000
- Ellsworth Community School District | $25,000
- Westosha Central High School District | $25,000
- Pewaukee School District | $24,176
WEDC received 29 total applications for Fab Lab Grants. The grants were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications evaluated based on readiness and long-range planning, curriculum, business and community partnerships, financial need, and previous awards.
In addition to the grants, WEDC and the University of Wisconsin-Stout developed a Fab Lab resource page that provides districts with information on how to set up and equip a Fab Lab, how to implement best practices to ensure a successful Fab Lab, and more.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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