Page 1 - TTWISpring2023

Special Double iSSue

Spring 2023, Volume 1

TEACHING anufacturing

TODAY WI ™ TODAY Wi tM

WISConSIn’S 4K–12 EDuCAtIon ConnECtIon SInCE 1997 ConnECtInG & ExPLorInG MAnuFACturInG In WISConSIn

D.C. Everest Senior High Students 25 Wisconsin School Districts

Introduce Second Graders to the Awarded Fab Lab Grants

Wonders of Ag and Food Sciences around the state are
Twenty-five schools

peas and more. “As a result, celebrating more than
we have more DCE Senior $560,000 in fab lab
High students interested in grants to train students
taking these courses and in science, technology,
trying something new. By engineering, arts, and
inviting younger students to mathematics (STEAM)
the labs, we hope to inspire skills and prepare them
them — to show them for careers using advanced
what’s possible once they technologies.
are a student here,” adds A fab lab, short for
Hoffman. fabrication laboratory, is a
Recently, second high-technology workshop
graders from Rothschild equipped with computer-
Elementary visited the Agri- controlled manufacturing
Science and Culinary Labs components such as 3D
for a lesson in hydropon- printers, laser engravers, computer numeri- ries within the school district(s). The funds
ics, the importance of local cal control (CNC) routers, and plasma may be used to purchase equipment used
Michelle Rothmeyer agriculture, nutrition and food safety. In the Ag cutters. Through its Fab Lab Grant Program, for instructional and educational purposes
Coordinator of Communications Science Lab, the DCE Senior High Plant Science WEDC is supporting the purchase of fab lab by elementary, middle, junior high or high
D.C. Everest Area School District students led the elementary students through a equipment for instructional and educational school students.
Since the new Tech Ed wing and Culinary series of hands-on lessons and activities they had purposes for K–12 students across the state. Applicants must supply matching funds
Lab opened in 2020, the D.C. Everest Senior prepped in advance. The second graders learned “Fab Labs allow businesses and schools equal to at least 50% of the grant amount
High has invited younger DCE Evergreens about the art and science of hydroponic agricul- to work together to provide students with provided by WEDC.
to participate in hands-on lessons with DCE ture and how to harvest lettuce (which is served STEAM education that will translate into In addition to the grants, WEDC has
Senior High students. “Our new automotive in DCE cafeterias), decorated pots and planted real-world career skills,” said the WEDC developed a fab lab resources page for its
tech, welding, woodworking, manufacturing, ag them with seeds for a take-home project and Secretary. “Fab labs benefit not only the website that provides districts with informa-
science and culinary labs replicate 21st century crafted tissue flowers. ”We like to make the most students themselves with important technol- tion on how to set up and equip a fab lab,
workplace environments,” notes DCE Career out of every opportunity to reach out to students ogy and career skills, but they’re also a win how to implement best practices to ensure a
and Technical Education Coordinator Aaron of every age and share the high-tech growing for Wisconsin employers who will be able successful fab lab, and more.
Hoffman. “They’re spacious, light and filled system and resources with young people,” adds to find workers with the right skills to allow For more information on the state’s fab
with the latest technologies.” The Culinary John Glynn, AgriScience teacher. “Sharing the their companies to grow and thrive.” labs, including resources for teachers, visit
Lab, for example, is home to industry-stan- story of how food is produced today and how it WEDC provides grants of up to $25,000 wedc.org/fablabs or follow #WIFabLab on
dard equipment that would be found in current could be produced in the future is key to having to eligible Wisconsin public school districts, Twitter.
foodservice operations. The AgriScience Lab an educated consumer.” or up to $50,000 to consortiums of two or
features a vertical hydroponic garden where more public school districts, for the creation See Page 26 for the list of schools
students grow lettuce, kale, herbs, strawberries, Continued on Page 6 and/or expansion of fabrication laborato- awarded these grants and more.

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Ed Events • Viterbo University • UW Stevens Point • Metal Craft/Riverside • Minnesota State University Moorhead • Great Northern

Tool Die Machining Association of Wisconsin • Blackhawk Technical College • First Technologies • JBC Machine • Dairyland Power
Green Bay Packaging • Haas Factory Outlet Milwaukee • Bellin College, E.C. Styberg Engineering • International Wolf Center
Nexen Group, Inc. • Veritas Steel • Innovative Machining, LLC • UW River Falls • WI Agriculture in the Classroom
Minnesota State College Southeast • The College of St. Scholastica • Focus on Energy • CFANS University of Minnesota