During the past several years, the Wauwatosa School District has received two grants, including the Fast Forward grant, as well as a grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to support students in creating and innovating products using personalized digital fabrication. Integrated with computer science principles, students in the Advanced Manufacturing & Design strand will be using the equipment to make and create processes and products for area businesses.
The following information was stated in the Wauwatosa School District Media Release:
In Wauwatosa’s Center for Design and Innovation, students will have access to a CNC plasma-cutter, CNC routers, 3D printers, a laser engraver, milling machines, lathes, sheet metal fabrication equipment, casting and forging equipment as well as woodworking equipment that include table saws, jointers, planers, and power hand tools. The goal is to create an open space where students can see the entire process of design and manufacturing from the brainstorming phase to design, to product development. “In the Center for Design and Innovation, students will develop problem solving skills and become familiar with 3D modeling software, the design process, and many forms of digital equipment as they formulate solutions to current real world problems,” said David Dentinger, supervisor of secondary education for the District. “This will require each student to creatively use their understanding of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) to progress from defining a problem to developing a solution. The center will be a cornerstone of a Wauwatosa Schools education, supporting students in their current endeavors, as well as their future endeavors, such as success in college and the workforce,” said Dentinger. Students who use the center will work on projects that are the result of their involvement in one or more of the four cornerstones of a fab lab:
- a competition (i.e. high mileage car, 1st robotics, etc.)
- a club such as Engineering Club or SkillsUsa
- completing curriculum work for a course
- completing a project that will solve a problem in the community
New Classes Designed for Center of Design and Innovation Space Students from both Wauwatosa high schools are able to take courses in the center. The two high school anchor courses associated with the center and available to students at both East and West High Schools are: You Can Make (Almost) Anything 1 and You Can Make (Almost) Anything 2. These are one-semester, half-credit graded courses offered within the school day. The first course was implemented fall 2018, and the second course started spring of 2019. In the future, the goal is for other high school students who are not necessarily taking one of the anchor courses designed for the Center for Design and Innovation able to use it on a walk-in basis or when their clubs meet. During that time, they will be able to tinker, explore, and invent using the various pieces of digital equipment, under the supervision of a staff member. Within the next two years, East High School will have its own renovated technical education lab space, as approved in the 2018 facilities referendum. Plans for the space are currently being discussed. Additionally, elementary and middle school students will be able to work in the center on a project for their classes. District teachers can be trained to use the center and then reserve it for sessions as needed. Eventually students in grades K-12 from all Wauwatosa public schools will have access to the Center, either by “dropping in” during certain times, or by coming with their class, supervised by their teacher. “As the landscape of education continues to evolve we are constantly looking for opportunities for students to engage in hands-on, collaborative, project-based experiences that will support them as tomorrow’s innovators and leaders,” said Tina Koch, Innovation Specialist for the District. Ultimately, the District plans to allow all Wauwatosa residents access to the center, creating a community-based experience. More details will be shared once Phase 2 construction at West is completed and the space is finalized.