Governor Evers and WEDC Announce Fab Lab Grants

Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 -- 11:01 AM

Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation announced that 21 school districts throughout the state have been awarded a total of more than $508,000 in grants to establish or expand local fabrication laboratory (fab lab) facilities.

The 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 Lab 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.

Some neighboring school districts receiving the grant include the New Auburn School District for $24,963 and the School District of Pittsville for $25,000. The 21 public school districts are receiving a total of $508,030 in Fab Lab 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 25 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 Fox Valley Technical College as well as three WEDC team members.

In addition to the grants, WEDC has developed a fab lab resource page for its website that provides districts with information 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 the University of Wisconsin-Stout and Fox Valley Technical College. For more information on the state’s fab labs, including resources for teachers, visit wedc.org/fablabs or follow #WIFabLab on Twitter.

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