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STEM
        Teaching Today Wisconsin | Summer/Back to School 2024                                                                                  Page 5

                       FabLab Stoughton Celebrates a Decade of Innovation and


                       Inspiration with Open House


        Stoughton Area School District      to  use  multiple  machines  to  create  functional
            FabLab  Stoughton,  a  pioneer  in  digital   pieces. Students learn how to identify a problem,
        fabrication and education, celebrated a decade   do  research,  brainstorm  multiple  solutions,
        of  Innovation  and  inspiration  with  an  open   make a plan, and create,” Phillips said.
        house.                              A Decade of Digital Discovery
            Over the past ten years, FabLab Stoughton
        has been a trailblazer in the world of education,   FabLab Stoughton’s journey began during
        providing  cutting-edge  learning  opportunities   the  2012-2013  school  year  when  it  was  built
        and serving as an inspiration for FabLabs across   and  assembled.  In  the  fall  of  2013,  it  opened
        the nation. This milestone event is a testament   its doors to students, becoming the first public
        to the lab’s dedication to fostering innovation   high school in Wisconsin and the second in the
        and creativity, and everyone was invited to join   nation to establish a FabLab. The lab has since
        in the festivities.                 offered courses to 9-12 grade students, hosted
            As reported by the Norse Star, the celebra-  workshops for community members, and pro-
        tion  brought  in  many  people,  including  some   vided summer school classes for middle-level
        from local companies and SHS Fab Lab students   students, transforming itself into a vibrant hub
        and  instructors.  During  the  event,  many  also   of learning and creation.
        gave speeches, including District Administrator   Setting the Stage for National Recognition
        Dan Keyser, former District Administrator Tim   In  2022,  FabLab  Stoughton  served  as
        Onsager, and Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley.  the  backdrop  for  an  episode  of  “Make48”,
            At SHS, five Fab Lab courses are offered,   a  national  DIY  show  broadcast  on  This  Old   A Beacon of Inspiration  A Global Network of Innovation
        including  Fab  Lab:  Introduction,  Fab  Lab:   House and Roku Networks. Stoughton proudly   FabLab Stoughton has inspired and facili-  At the heart of FabLab Stoughton’s success
        Make Something Big, and Fab Lab: Printmak-  became the first small city to host the show, the   tated  knowledge  sharing  among  36  school   is its connection to MIT’s Center for Bits and
        ing  and  Design,  taught  by  Ruth  Phillips.  Fab   first to host it in a public high school, and the   districts in and around the state. As a testament   Atoms, as it serves as an educational outreach
        Lab:  Community  Projects  and  Fab  Lab:  Indi-  first to employ an all-student Tool Tech team.   to its success, other FabLabs, such as Wauna-  component.  This  connection  has  led  to  the
        vidual Projects are taught by Cindy Carter.  This  achievement  is  a  testament  to  FabLab   kee,  east Troy, Three  Lakes, Turtle  Lake,  Mt   creation of a global network, a distributed labo-
            “[In Fab Lab classes], students interested   Stoughton’s commitment to fostering a culture   Horeb, and Mosinee, have looked up to FabLab
        in engineering or the arts have the opportunity   of innovation and hands-on learning.  Stoughton as a role model for their endeavors.  Continued on Page 7
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