FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2021
Contact: Mike Fowell, fowellm@lafarge.k12.wi.us, 625-0136
WEDC invests in School District of La Farge for fab lab equipment
La Farge – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced today that the School District of La Farge 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. LFSD was awarded $25,000 to create a fab lab.
“WEDC has invested over $3.4 million for the past six years to provide 95 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 LFSD, 28 school districts throughout the state are being awarded a total of $635,089 in Fab Labs Grants this year to establish or expand their fab labs.
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.
“La Farge Schools has a thriving Career and Tech Ed program led by Mike Fowell, that our community recently invested in through passage of a referendum that will support upgrades to our facilities. The program’s receipt of this grant will further the District’s abilities to serve our community and prepare students for careers in the field,” says Meaghan Gustafson, District Administrator.
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 or follow #WIFabLab on Twitter.
About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @WEDCNews to learn more.