Page 10 - TTWINov2020

Manufacturing
page 10 | Manufacturing Today Wisconsin | fall, 2020 Electronic Edition: www.manufacturingtodaywi.com

21st Century Tech Ed in Washington Island School District’s fab lab

There was no real supply of working experience. This Fab Lab space was also
tools or equipment. The actual fab lab space developed to support community use in the
was updated in term functionality and aes- evenings and/or on weekends. Mr. LeBrun’s
thetics: it was cleaned and painted. The air vision is to offer adult education classes for
handling system was replaced, and the elec- those wanting to hone their woodworking,
trical was upgraded. A dual trough sink was metal and welding skills.
installed, and windows were added onto the We are humbled and grateful for this
east wall of the WEDC grant oppor-
room, to ensure tunity. We are also
safety and proper As an “island” school district, appreciative of those
sight lines for it is quite the feat to secure the Washington Island
teacher supervi- community members
sion. Plus, one also delivery of supplies and resources who wrote letters
needs to under- in a timely manner. This includes of support for our
stand that as an” lumber, electrical supplies and grant application.
island” school dis- materials, and the actual installers We are indebted to
trict, it is quite the those who showed
feat to secure the of any new equipment, onto the up in person to do
delivery of sup- island. the heavy lifting
plies and resources of organizing and
Matt LeBrun and to build a curriculum that compliments the in a timely manner. developing this Fab
Tech Ed Instructor island’s needs. This includes lumber, electrical supplies and Lab space for our island school children.
Washington Island School District With the support and assistance of Riewe materials, and the actual installers of any Without these partnerships, we would not be
new equipment, onto the island.
where we are presently. We also applaud the
The Washington Island School District and Thoreson, LeBrun began the work of These upgrades will afford the WISD WISD Board of Education for their part in
received notice of their FY20 award from the inventorying what this fab lab space would students the opportunity to engage in a 21st this endeavor. They believed in this program
WI Economic Development Corporation last need in the first phase of their 3-phase plan. century Tech Ed experience, that so many and have supported it from its inception.
spring. This exciting news was profound in The WI community also rose to this chal- of their peers on the mainland have had for
several respects: the district had recently hired lenge. The WI Lions Club donated $5000.00. decades. These opportunities are provided
a dedicated Tech Ed instructor, and the class- The WI Education Foundation followed with for all students in grades 6–12 presently.
lab space was in dire need of upgrades, repairs a $7500.00 gift, and the Jessup Foundation We plan to expand this experience for our www.island.k12.wi.us
and equipment that would allow for a 21st added an additional $5000.00. These bequests upper elementary students, as well as move (920) 847-2507
century tech ed curriculum to be delivered to offset what the WEDC Fab Lab grant required onto Phase 2 of the three-phase plan. This
students in this island school district. The $25k in order to apply. The WISD ear-marked the includes developing a metals space, whereby
was more than welcomed, as it supplemented remainder of the 100% match with district students can have a welding and machining
the work need to reconfigure the existing fab money.
lab space. The team of Riewe, Thoreson and LeBrun
An important piece of the grant applica- moved full steam ahead. New wood working
tion required proof of community support, as equipment was ordered. This included a
well as a detailed plan for sustaining the fab sliding table saw, combo jointer-planer, a dust Spartan Manufacturing
lab. Two Washington Island residents, Don collection system that is not only efficient, but
Riewe and Leif Thoreson stepped up to assist quiet. The noise level is minimal given the Continued from page 8
the district’s new Tech Ed instructor, Matt space of the Fab Lab and the school build-
LeBrun. Matt was interviewed and hired in ing. The new laser engraver offers students the Spartan Manufacturing’s most ambitious then applies these skills on a larger scale in
June of 2019. Matt chose the WISD because the opportunity cut through and/or engrave on students, Callie Korth. When asked what order to achieve a particular outcome that is
he felt that [this] small, rural school district multiple materials, including plastic, wood, prompted her to email News 15, she explained tangible.”
was the perfect spot in which he could begin glass, cloth, leather, acrylic and metal. These “I just wanted to gain exposure, and try to give Moving forward as a company, Spartan
his teaching career. The position afforded him may not seem like a big deal, but one has to people an understanding about what goes on Manufacturing is planning to bring in other
the ability to create his “dream tech ed” space, understand that this space was virtually empty. in a student run business.” specialties, such as the business, art, and lan-
The momentum from the story released guage departments, which will allow these
on January 9th brought in not only sales, but specific students to apply their specialties to
gave Spartan Manufacturing the latitude to concrete results. The class will highlight each
appeal to customers from all areas of Wis- individuals’ talents, while at the same time,
consin. Shipping orders from Janesville to give students a chance to experience a work-
Sheboygan, the company had attained one of place environment.
it’s main goals set at the beginning of the year, The future of Spartan Manufacturing is
to reach outlets past the little town of McFar- bright; however, it lies within the next genera-
land. tion of ambitious students to fuel an enterprise
Looking back on the success of Spartan that thrives off their determination and aspira-
Manufacturing, Steve Pennekamp, the teacher tions.
that started and oversees Spartan Manufactur-
ing, emphasized the importance of experience
that is entailed within the class, “One thing
I’m very proud of about this opportunity is www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us
that it takes advantage of everything a student (608) 838-4500
learns, and applies it to a class. For example,
Spartan Manufacturing is built off of common
core classes such as math and English, and