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32 ELECTRONIC EDITION: WWW.MANUFACTURINGTODAYWI.COM

Ellsworth High School Awarded Fab Lab Grant

kitchen area, which includes an industrial kitchen funding up front, the district can make key equip-
and a coffee roaster—adding both instructional ment purchases during the first year of operation
versatility and real-world experience for students. in the new facility rather than spreading them out
These updates are designed to reflect modern over time. This jumpstart ensures students will
industry standards and better prepare students for benefit immediately from the district’s invest-
careers in hospitality and culinary arts. ment in advanced technical education.
The Agriculture department is also undergo- Construction is scheduled to be completed
ing a transformation. Plans include the addition in time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
of a fully operational greenhouse and a new labo- In celebration of the new and improved facilities,
ratory area. These upgrades will offer students Ellsworth High School is planning an open house
hands-on experience in plant science, horticul- event in September 2025. The event will show-
ture, and agricultural technology—fields that case the new equipment, expanded spaces, and
continue to grow in importance and innovation. highlight the district’s dedication to providing
Perhaps the most dramatic transforma- students with the skills and knowledge necessary
tion will take place in the Tech Ed department. to succeed in today’s workforce.
A 6,000 square foot addition will dramatically This initiative marks a bold step forward
expand opportunities in manufacturing, welding, for the Ellsworth Community School District,
and construction trades. The welding program, reinforcing its commitment to hands-on learn-
Ellsworth High School has been awarded District. In the spring of 2024, district voters for example, will grow from just four booths to ing, innovation, and preparing students for
a $25,000 Fab Lab Grant from the Wisconsin approved a building referendum exceeding $25 14, greatly increasing student access and capac- high-demand careers in technical fields. The
Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), a million. The funds are earmarked for substantial ity. New state-of-the-art equipment, including combination of local support, state funding, and
significant boost to the school’s efforts to modern- renovations to both the middle and high schools, CNC mills and lathes, will be introduced, provid- visionary planning ensures that Ellsworth High
ize and expand its manufacturing and technical with a strong emphasis on upgrading the Career ing students with the tools and training found in School will remain a leader in Career and Techni-
education facilities. The funding will support and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Ells- modern industrial settings. The expansion will cal Education for years to come.
the purchase of new manufacturing equipment, worth High School. also offer more room and resources for small
allowing for immediate enhancements rather than The district’s commitment to CTE is evident engines and construction classes, supporting a
phased upgrades over several years. in the comprehensive upgrades planned across broader range of technical skills.
This grant comes on the heels of a major multiple departments. In Family and Consumer The Fab Lab Grant plays a critical role in ellsworth.k12.wi.us
investment by the Ellsworth Community School Science, the school will install a fully remodeled accelerating these improvements. By providing

Fab Lab Grant Brings State-of-the-Art Equipment to

Monroe High School

the Monroe School District to What was your reaction to learning the How will the Fab Lab help Monroe High
replace old, outdated equip- Monroe School District was awarded a $25,000 School students?
ment with new, state-of-the-art Fab Lab Grant? Here at Monroe High School, this new
equipment that will advance The construction of our new high school is equipment will enable our students to become
architecture, engineering, going great, but we also quietly wondered how more proficient in computer-aided design and
and construction studies with we were going to be able to maximize the benefits development while learning the industry-standard
computer design and physical of our new facility with outdated and inadequate software programs that we teach. Students will
prototyping. equipment. Receiving this Fab Lab grant turned also be able to create physical prototypes of their
The equipment in the Fab our quiet concerns into ecstatic cheers! Because design solutions, using a variety of materials and
Lab will also be integrated into of this grant, we will have state-of-the-art equip- methods, in order to better evaluate and improve
other classes at Monroe High ment that will make our new facility exemplary their designs. These benefits will especially take
School, including the LAUNCH in every measurable way! our C.A.D.D. and Project-Lead-The-Way pre-
program—a collaborative class- engineering classes to the next level of learning
room experience featuring Why are Fab Labs important for student and opportunity.
project-based learning to solve learning? BWhat excites me most about our new Fab
real-world problems in the com- Traditionally, Tech. Ed. programs offer Lab facility and equipment is how it will remove
munity—and other computer and exploration and experience primarily in wood- many of our current barriers to learning. We will
technology education classes. working, metal working, and perhaps engines no longer be hindered by outdated and inad-
The district is currently and automobiles. Fab Labs provide opportunities equate equipment, which makes learning more
building a new high school, for students to go beyond traditional programs limited and difficult. It is also our hope that the
which is expected to open for the by offering the latest technologies that can success of our programs will provide inspiration
2026-2027 school year. The new advance architecture, engineering, and construc- and motivation for other schools in our county to
building will include specialized tion studies with computer design and physical join us in expanding their programs for the sake
learning areas for the equipment, prototyping. By increasing the “technology” in of their students!
Cara Carper, Student Occupation & Technology Education, Fab Labs offer students
Academic Readiness (SOAR) Coordinator but staff will work to set up the equipment over new opportunities to creatively develop solutions
Monroe School District the summer so that students will begin to learn on for real-world problems from concept to proto-
the new equipment this fall.
Monroe High School is delighted to join We asked Chuck Lynch, technology and type. Furthermore, students can be introduced monroeschools.com
the school districts across Wisconsin that have engineering teacher at Monroe High School, to more career and vocation choices for their
received Wisconsin Fab Lab grants from the about the impact of this grant. futures.
state. The $25,000 Fab Lab grant will allow