THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
Coleman School Gets $25,000 Grant
Issue Date: May 6, 2020
Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced that 31 school districts throughout the state have been awarded a total of more than $690,000 in grants to establish or expand local fabrication laboratory (fab lab) facilities.
A 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 its Fab Labs Grant Program, WEDC is supporting the purchase of fab lab equipment for instructional and educational purposes by elementary, middle, junior high or high school students.
Among area school districts awarded Fab Labs grants was Coleman School District which got $25,000.
The 31 public school districts are receiving a total of $693,200 in Fab Labs Grants from WEDC. Individual school districts were eligible for 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.
WEDC received 31 applications, which were evaluated based on readiness and long-range planning, curriculum, business and community partnerships, financial need and previous awards. The review committee consisted of experts from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, as well as three WEDC team members.
In addition to the grants, WEDC has developed a fab labs resource page on its website that provides districts with information and a video on how to set up and equip a fab lab, how to implement best practices to ensure a successful fab lab and more. Content for the page was provided by UW -Stout.
For more information on the state's fab labs, including resources for teachers, visit wedc.org/fablabs or follow #WIFabLab on Twitter.