The Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Education Foundation recently awarded a $17,390 grant to the Technology and Engineering Department of Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) for advanced equipment to complete a 21st century Maker Space.
The new tools, a CNC Plasma Cutter and CNC Lathe, will enable students to cut and manufacture highly accurate parts, molds and prototypes for use in electronic vehicle design, passive solar energy machines, robotic components and more. This new equipment adds tremendous value to the LOLHS Technology and Engineering Department.
The newly-designed space provides the flexibility to maximize use of the equipment in a wide range of courses. Students experience the full engineering process, with design instruction integrated with the manufacturing process. Design, manufacturing, testing and evaluation are now performed with Computer-Aided Design(CAD) in the adjacent computer laboratory. Students work and learn in a space similar to laboratories in top engineering schools.
James Witkins, Chairman of the Lyme-Old Lyme Board of Education, notes,“The grants vastly enhance our capabilities in Tech. Ed., and more importantly, they support the collective vision of creating a high school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Center without peer in Connecticut.”
The LOL Education Foundation anticipates that the new equipment will increase student participation in Tech. Ed. programs. Use of evolving technologies both enhances student safety and fosters interest in new learning experiences. Students now have access to hands-on training using 21st century engineering tools. This grant will further develop students’ real-world skills while promoting creativity, collaborative problem-solving, and future success beyond the high school years.
Lyme-Old Lyme Education Foundation President Mike Kane states, “While we are thrilled to play a part in the enhancement of the Tech Ed Department’s Maker Space and appreciated the recognition of our efforts, our supporters and benefactors deserve most of the credit. Thanks to the generosity of those who entrust LOLEF to channel their donations in the right direction, our vision becomes reality.”
The Lyme-Old Lyme Education Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization established in 2006 to support and enhance public education in our community. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by an advisory group of members of the community.
The Foundation seeks to raise and distribute funds to enhance or expand enrichment programs, support innovative teaching and learning, and build educational partnerships between students and community
Really nice to see this resource being made available to our students! Kudos to Mike Kane and the LOLEF for making it possible!