Contact: Sen. Jon Erpenbach
608-266-6670
Waunakee – Senator Jon Erpenbach congratulates Waunakee High School on receiving a Fab Lab grant from the State of Wisconsin. The presentation in Waunakee began at 1 p.m. today at the high school.
“Innovation and creativity make Fab Labs important as we work to solve the complex problems of Wisconsin. To see so many thoughtful interested students who want to bring the next generation of out of the box thinking to our state is inspiring,” said Erpenbach.
Fab Labs were created by the Legislature in the 2015-2017 state budget and expanded by the Joint Committee on Finance in the 2017-2019 budget. While Fab Labs require a matching grant from the local school district, Senator Erpenbach hopes the program will be altered to help declining enrollment schools in mainly rural areas that cannot afford the matching portion.
“We need innovation in every corner of our state. The amazing thing about the Fab Labs is their community accessibility. Having more Fab Labs in areas of the state with agricultural and rural economies will help not only future innovators in our schools but the community themselves as they work to build their future,” Erpenbach said,
“I am so proud of Waunakee schools. My Mom was a first grade teacher here for 30 years, and my Dad is a former Tech Ed teacher so this visit and this grant award is a full circle moment for me. I am really proud.”
