Butternut receives funding for fabrication laboratory

The Butternut School District has received a $22,000 grant to add a laboratory.

The grant, from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, will fund a fabrication lab, or fab lab.

“Fab labs provide students throughout Wisconsin with access to high-tech equipment for hands-on experience and training necessary to prepare them for the jobs of the future,” said Gov. Tony Evers in a news release from the WEDC.

Butternut was one of 18 schools districts throughout the state to receive a total of $493,000 in grant funding this year to build these laboratories.

WEDC’s fab labs are designed to support hands on learning in science, technology, engineering art, and math (STEAM) by assisting public schools with equipment purchases such as 3D printers, laser engravers, computer numerical number control routers and plasma cutters for instructional and educational purposes.

“WEDC has invested over $5 million for the past nine years with 211 grants to 125 school districts across the state, funding for the equipment necessary to help students learn high-demand skills, including technology, manufacturing and engineering,” said Missy Hughes, WEDC secretary and CEO, in the release.

Butternut Superintendent Benjamin Heninger is familiar with the concept and looks forward to the school district getting a new laboratory.

“Having been deeply involved with the implementation of a cutting edge fab lab in a previous school district, I can attest to the fact that the opportunities provided through this grant program will be an absolute game changer for our students, staff members and community,” he said in the release.