Page 6 - MTSummer2026

6 ELECTRONIC EDITION: WWW.MANUFACTURINGTODAYWI.COM

Highlights from the Fab Lab Grant Recipients

the DWD, Beloit Memorial will be adding a
School District of Beloit – state-of-the-art FANUC Robotic Welding Cell
$25,000 to our already robust Technology Education
Department. This cutting-edge equipment will that part of our duty at the school is to work to
Beloit Memorial High School (BMHS) Colby School District – enhance knowledge of community members
is officially moving forward with the construc- provide students with hands-on experience in $25,000 in these areas, and once we have the space
tion of a new Medical Careers Lab over the advanced manufacturing—building real-world up and running, we plan to have community
summer and fall months, targeting an opening skills that are in high demand. The robotic The Colby School District is very excited events that children and adults alike can take
date of January 2027. The facility will drive an welding cell will also integrate into our state-of- to have been selected as a Wisconsin Eco- part in and benefit from.
expansion of the Health Care pathway within the-art CNC Lab, expanding opportunities for nomic Development Corporation Fabrication We will be incorporating many new
the school’s Health, Human, and Education students to explore precision machining, auto- Laboratories Grant recipient. This grant is technologies into our Fab Lab that have not
Services (HHES) Academy link. The creation mation, and robotics together. going to help us expand opportunities for stu- been previously available to students and
of the high-tech training space was made pos- These additions are a huge step forward dents in emerging technology education areas staff members in the Colby School District
sible through a $25,000 Fab Lab Grant awarded for our CTE programs, offering even more that we were working on through referendum as a result of this grant, including several 3-D
to Beloit Memorial High School by the WEDC, industry-recognized credentials and helping stu- construction happening at the district this printers, robotics projects, laser cutting tech-
backed by an additional 50% in matching funds dents take the next step in their career pathways. summer. nologies, as well as other technologies.
provided by the School District of Beloit. After securing this grant, we have dedi-
In addition to receiving the $25,000 Fab cated classroom space for a Fab Lab at Colby
Lab Grant, Beloit Memorial High School and High School, but students from all levels of the
the PACMES Academy are excited to share that www.sdb.k12.wi.us district will certainly benefit from the changes www.colby.k12.wi.us
thanks to a $100,000 Fast Forward Grant from incorporated in this space. Likewise, we know

preparing to completely transform its tech- been strategically distributed to build a com- To power this massive new ecosystem,
nology and engineering lab ahead of the prehensive, multi-disciplinary workspace. the district is installing seven high-perfor-
upcoming school year. Thanks to funding For advanced prototyping and fabrication, mance HP Z2 Desktop Computers from
from the 2026 Fab Lab Grant, the district the lab is adding two Bambu X1 3D print- Paragon Development Systems. These indus-
is introducing industrial-grade manufactur- ers and an Epilog Fusion Maker 12 Laser try-grade workstations will give students
ing equipment and advanced workstation Engraver. The heavy machining capabili- the computing power necessary to master
computers into its curriculum. This award ties are getting a massive upgrade as well, complex design, rendering, and automated
marks a pivotal moment for Rio, allowing the anchored by a Onefinity CNC Router Elite manufacturing software.
district to expand hands-on learning opportu- Series Foreman (48x48), a Powermatic Drum The Rio Community School District
nities and ensure our students remain at the Sander, and a Laguna 220V Bandsaw. extends its deepest gratitude to the grant
absolute forefront of technical education. Beyond traditional woodworking and committee for this incredible opportunity.
The primary goal of this lab overhaul is machining, the lab will feature specialized This investment fundamentally changes
simple: to bridge the gap between classroom stations for digital design and electronics. what we can offer our students, giving them
concepts and the real-world skills currently Students will gain practical experience in the confidence, experience, and competi-
demanded by Wisconsin employers. By electrical engineering using a new class- tive edge they need to step directly into the
bringing industry-standard tools directly to room pack of Arduino Starter Kits, Hakko workforce as the next generation of indus-
our students, the district can better prepare soldering stations, and Fluke True RMS Mul- trial leaders.
them for high-paying engineering, manufac- timeters. Additionally, graphic production
turing, and technical positions the moment capabilities are expanding with an industrial
Rio Community School they graduate. Ryonet screen printing kit, Cricut digital
District – $25,000 Rather than just reading about modern cutting machines, and a multi-seat educa- www.rio.k12.wi.us
production workflows, students will now tion license for CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
The Rio Community School District is actively manage them. The grant funding has 2026.