WEDC invests in area high school fab labs
For the City Times
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) recently announced that Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools (WRPS) and the Nekoosa School District are recipients of a state grant to fund new fabrication laboratory (fab lab) facilities.
Both schools were awarded $25,000 to use toward their school’s operations.
Lincoln High School will use their funds to expand their fab lab. Submitted photo
“WEDC has invested over $3.4 million for the past six years to provide 95 school districts across the state with the equipment necessary to help students learn high-demand skills, including technology, manufacturing, and engineering,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “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.”
WRPS and Nekoosa are part of 28 school districts throughout the state being awarded a total of $635,089 in Fab Labs Grants this year to establish or expand their fab labs.
WEDC’s Fab Labs Grant Program is designed to support hands-on learning in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) by assisting public school districts with equipment purchases such as 3D printers, laser engravers, computer numerical control routers, and plasma cutters for instructional and educational purposes.
“With support from WEDC Fab Lab grants and local community partners, our students have access to innovative hands-on experiences and training necessary for future STEAM careers,” states Eric Siler, WRPS CTE Coordinator.
“By receiving the Fab Lab grant, I am excited that Nekoosa High School students will get the opportunity to join the advanced manufacturing talent pipeline so needed today and in the future,” Nekoosa District Administrator Terry Whitmore said.
The Technology and Engineering department is looking to purchase a CNC Router Table with the grant funds to add to the other updated equipment in the shop area.
For more information, visit WEDC’s fab lab resource page at
