Thanks to a state grant announced on Tuesday, you will see new equipment coming to Washington Island School. Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation announced more $493,000 in fab lab grants for 18 school districts across the state, including Washington Island. The district will receive a $25,000 grant from the state and will provide 50 percent in matching funds to extend the investment into its science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM programming. Thanks to the community’s efforts to raise the matching funds, technical education teacher Matt Sullivan says much of the funds will go towards upgrading the school’s computers to use its current equipment to its fullest capabilities.

Washington Island Superintendent of Business Services Sue Cornell credits the teachers for going the extra mile to bring its students a more in-depth experience and sometimes secure the extra funding needed to make it happen. This is the second time Washington Island School District has received money through the state’s Fab Labs Grant program.