The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced this May that Elmbrook Schools 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's global economy. Elmbrook was awarded $25,000 to expand Brookfield Central's fab lab.

These funds will allow for Fab Lab flexibility and mobility for all. "We are motivated to expand our ability to serve all students with the addition of inclusive technologies and increase our district and regional reach to connect more students, staff and community members that cannot make it to Brookfield Central by deploying equipment that can be easily transported and provide on-site mobile instruction resulting in an increase of Fab Lab engagement and awareness overall," said Tom Juran, Applied Technology Department Chair

Elmbrook aspires to lead the Fabrication Laboratory industry into a transition that embraces participants of all abilities and resolve distance as a barrier to creativity and innovation.

Some equipment that will help in this goal includes:

• Mobile 3D printer and cart

• Touch Screen Monitors for lab equipment

• Flatbed UV printer

• Digital Signage Monitors

• Ender 3 3D printers

• Microsoft Surface with dual-purpose laser and presentation

"WEDC has invested over $2.8 million for the past five years to provide 77 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 Elmbrook, 31 school districts throughout the state are being awarded a total of $693,200 in Fab Lab grants this year to establish or expand their fab labs.

"We are very grateful to be able to continue to expand our fab lab facilities to enhance our student learning and provide unique skill-based opportunities," said Dr. Mike Sereno, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.

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. 

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.