Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) invests in Albany School District for Fab Lab Equipment
Albany, WI – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced today that the Albany School District is the recipient of a state grant to fund new fabrication laboratory (fab lab) facilities, which will equip Wisconsin students with essential skills for the 21st-century global economy. Albany School District was awarded $9,904.00 to expand its current fab lab.
“In order for Wisconsin’s businesses to succeed, we need to build a workforce that’s prepared for an economy of the 21st century. Fab labs provide students with the skills, expertise, and equipment necessary to become the industry leaders of tomorrow,” Governor Tony Evers said. “We are proud to be awarding funds to 25 school districts today, so they can establish or expand their fab lab programs, which continue to benefit students, community members, and the economy through technical training, business partnerships, and innovation.”
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 (CNC) and plasma cutters for instructional and educational purposes.
“WEDC has invested over $4.5 million for the past eight years to provide 118 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.”
Including Albany School District, 25 school districts throughout the state are being awarded a total of $560,053.00 in Fab Lab grants this year to establish or expand their fab labs.
“Being selected for this grant will help us expand our STEAM offerings. Serving the needs of all students and developing the required skills, attributes, and dispositions to be successful is our primary focus. With this grant, we will be better equipped to design a cutting-edge program that connects to all students and the greater community,” said Kurt Soderberg, superintendent of the Albany School District.
Fab labs have the potential to benefit individual students, school districts, the surrounding community, and Wisconsin’s economy as a whole. For more information, visit WEDC’s fab lab resource page or follow #WIFabLab on Twitter.