Thanks to a $250,000 grant from Internet services provider MOREnet, Fulton High School will be the first school in the state to have its own fabrication lab.
Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Hull said she is excited about all of the different opportunities the "fab lab" will provide for Fulton students.
"The fab lab is a small-scale, STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics)-based multi-disciplinary workshop that offers the students the opportunity to make just about anything. It's just unbelievable what they'll be able to do in this lab," Hull said. "It is MOREnet's hope, and our hope, that Fulton's fab lab becomes a model for other schools in the state."
She said district officials plan to visit fabrication labs in other states to get a better idea of what kinds of technology and supplies are needed before buying equipment. The lab will be set up in the classroom that used to be the industrial arts classroom, and the workshop next to it.
The grant money will be phased out over three years. Purchases the first year will include four 3D printers, a CNC (computer numerically controlled) router and laser cutter, CAD (computer-aided design) software and materials such as wood, textiles, paint, plastic, fasteners and other supplies. Purchases the second year will include two 3D scanners, additional software and replacement of consumable materials. Hull said MOREnet allowed purchases for the third year to be left open in consideration of potential new and innovative technology.