Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Lab)

Summary

FY26 marked the final round of Fab Lab Grants, celebrating nearly a decade of school and community partnerships. The program came to fruition in FY16. Since FY17, the Fab Labs Grant Program had operated under WEDC program guidelines designed to support K-12 hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) education by assisting Wisconsin public school districts with purchases of equipment used for instructional and educational purposes in fab labs.

During that time, the Fab Labs Grant Program assisted 136 Wisconsin school districts across 55 counties, awarding 242 grants totaling $5,758,441 and leveraging $4,335,054. By helping districts purchase new and modern equipment, the program enabled more K-12 students to gain direct experience with STEAM skills and ultimately contributed to a greater number of graduates entering the workforce equipped with those skills.

The program also required districts to develop relationships with local businesses and community partners, creating additional opportunities for students to participate in real-world projects and providing lifelong learning opportunities for Wisconsinites of all ages. WEDC looks forward to sustaining partnerships with education and workforce stakeholders to help ensure Wisconsin maintained a pipeline of qualified and engaged workers for the future.

Recipients of Fab Lab Grant 2016-2026