RACINE, Wis. — The Racine Unified School District is among the 18 Wisconsin school districts selected to receive a significant “fab lab” grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
This $25,000 grant will revolutionize STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education in the district by funding state-of-the-art, high-tech learning facilities.
Governor Tony Evers and WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes announced the grants in Muskego, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities to prepare students for the 21st-century economy.
“Wisconsin has always been a state of makers, growers, and thinkers, and we know that the key to building upon that proud tradition is providing the skills and training our kids need to be successful in the 21st Century,” said Gov. Evers. “We’re working to create spaces with new learning opportunities for students to thrive and excel, including fab labs, where students have the most advanced equipment for hands-on learning in some of our state’s most in-demand fields. These grants will go a long way toward helping build the 21st-century workforce we need for a 21st-century economy.”
Grant will integrate pivotal STEAM technologies
The Racine Unified School District plans to use this grant to integrate advanced technologies such as 3D printers, laser engravers, and CNC routers into their curriculum. These tools are pivotal in teaching STEAM practical and theoretical aspects and ensuring students are well-prepared for future careers in fast-growing technical fields.
“The earlier kids experience the joy of learning and having fun with their classmates as they explore these new technologies, the more engaged they will be as they advance in school and the more open they will be to careers in STEAM fields,” said WEDC Secretary Hughes.
Since the inception of the Fab Labs Grant Program in 2016, WEDC has disbursed over $5 million across 125 districts, underscoring Wisconsin’s dedication to enhancing its educational infrastructure. The Racine Unified School District’s inclusion in this year’s recipients highlights its ongoing efforts to provide top-tier educational opportunities to its students.
The new fab lab will be instrumental in transitioning from traditional learning environments to more interactive, project-based learning platforms where students can gain hands-on experience. This approach is expected to increase student engagement and interest in STEAM careers, addressing both current and future local and national workforce needs.
As the district prepares to roll out these enhancements, the community looks forward to seeing how these advanced learning tools will shape Racine’s next generation of thinkers, makers, and leaders.
Editor’s note: This article was generated by ChatGPT.
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