Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
One of the key goals of the MAPS Operating Referendum passed last April, was the creation of a Fab Lab; the first-ever in district history. Defined as a facility which provides state of the art equipment, focusing on problem solving during the design process, the effort to bring the concept to fruition kicked off late last summer. Following a rigorous construction schedule spanning just under 5 months, the new 40’x 40’ facility welcomed it’s first students in late-January.
The road for the project began last August, when MAPS administration announced the hiring of Fab Lab director Josh Zalewski. Zalewski wasted no time in laying out not only his immediate plans for bringing a MAPS Fab Lab to fruition, but goals to incorporate the STEAM concept (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and make the benefits of the lab accessible district-wide. Hence why he fondly referred to the project as the MAPS Fab Lab, rather than MHS Fab Lab.
“I am excited for the future of a MAPS Fab Lab. I envision a facility everyone district-wide can be proud of and the community can get behind and be proud of as well,” he explained. “Our ultimate goal is to assure students have the skills necessary to be successful, whether they plan to enter the work force or pursue post-secondary education. We want our students to be college and career ready.”
Work to transform a former computer lab into a space where students learn and receive hands-on experience in a variety of industrial and design trades, began immediately.
In addition to new walls, and flooring adorned with a blue and white color scheme, the Fab Lab has been outfitted with an array of power tools and state of the art equipment; such as a 54-inch large format printer, robotic arms for robotic assembly, along with a small conveyor belt, CNC routers and vinyl cutters. Other additions to the Fab Lab include a new ventilation system, air compressor, laser engravers, and audio/visual equipment to facilitate video conferencing capabilities.
Zalewski is quick to point out, while the work space may be completed and ready for students to get to work, the Fab Lab itself will always remain a work in progress.
“The MAPS Fab Lab will be constantly evolving in terms of equipment and subject matter discussed, same as industrial practices are constantly evolving,” he said. “It will always be a living facility keeping pace with the ever-changing trends of industry.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 29, the facility hosted it’s first course known as Fab Lab Fundamentals. The class consists of 15 male and female students ranging from sophomore through senior classes. According to Zalewski, feedback from participating students indicated an even mix of career exploration, preparation and sheer curiosity, as motivating factors for students to enroll in the course.
“On the first day of the course I handed out what could be considered a background quiz, as I really wanted to learn more about students in the class. Not only about their interests and why they joined, but also what they hoped to take away from the course,” Zalewski explained. “Having that information not only helps me understand my students and their needs better, but also helps me get better at what I do as their instructor. One of the key questions I asked is what interested them to sign up for the course. I would say the responses were pretty even, between curiosity about the Fab Lab and what we do, and exploring careers. For instance, one young lady indicated a strong interest in pursuing further education and employment in Computer Aided Design (CAD). That was her only reason for enrolling in the course. She immediately expressed an interest in learning more about work and projects we will be taking on in the class, related to CAD,”
“As far as I’m concerned these are just awesome results! Curiosity is great! Curiosity can be very motivating and so can career aspirations. This is the kind of interest and results I hope to continue to see as we move forward,” Zalewski adds.
Interest and support from the MAPS administrative team and the student body isn’t where the rallying call ends for the new facility, not even close.
Since successfully applying for and receiving a Beyond Crayons and Computers Grant from the Merrill Community Foundation in the amount of $650 last fall, donations have been steadily streaming in to support the Fab Lab, and Zalewski couldn’t be more thankful.
“With the growing number of business and industry partnerships we have formed within the community, we have been blessed with numerous donations to assure we have the capabilities to provide our students the opportunities necessary to assure their success post graduation,” Zalewski said. “Our community partners have all dedicated their support through monetary donations and/or time and material with equipment. They see that the success of the Fab Lab provides our students and their future employees, the opportunity to develop their skills using state of the art digital manufacturing equipment, which will put them at a competitive advantage over their peers upon completion of this program. Such partnerships are crucial for not only our students, staff, and businesses, but our community as a whole.
“We are working to assure our students see this program as a real world business with all of its moving parts. They focus on the design process as well as problem solving, materials, cost analysis, profitability, and sustainability. It is designed to really change the way they look at the world around them. We are providing our students with the ability to earn industry recognized certificates upon completion of our program, through the National Coalition of Certification Centers, using tools such as 3D printers and digital multimeters, in partnership with the Snap-On tool company.”
“The Fab Lab project to date has exceeded my expectations,” added MAPS Superintendent Dr. John Sample. “Not only are our high school students engaged, but some of our our fifth graders will be able to enjoy a portion of the Fab Lab experience. I greatly appreciate the support of our community as a greater number of our students will reap the benefits from this program.”
Zalewski is focused on assuring the Fab Lab becomes and remains a place where students of all ages can work hands-on, in applying the knowledge acquired via other coursework.
“This will be where you learn why you’ve learned everything else,” he adds with a grin.
To date the MAPS Fab Lab has received the following donations:
Sierra Pacific Windows ($5,000),
Church Mutual Insurance Company ($1,500)
Weinbrenner Shoes ($1,000/year for 5 years)
FreMarq Industries($5,000)
