Mukwonago Area School District

Our mission over the years has been to encourage and fund innovative and creative projects, provide classroom equipment and resources that would not be supplied by a typical district budget.  Community partnerships are a significant part of this mission.  These kinds of projects are meant to enhance the educational experience of our students. 

 

The MEF havs always had a special association with the School to Work program at the high school.  Early in our history we partnered with the Rotary Club and Building Trades students to construct houses.  Students developed valuable, marketable skills while designing, constructing, and decorating these homes.  This program evolved into the yearly construction of utility sheds, or play houses, which are raffled off.  Many small grants have benefited the industrial and construction trade programs by providing equipment over and above what the district can provide, like the recent funding of a battery-powered compressor.  

 

Funding for new and innovative technologies is a strong part of our semi-annual grant distributions.  The Foundation was the first to fund “Smart Boards” in a few district classrooms more than a decade ago.  These eventually became standard equipment for the district.  The MEF funded early adoptions of iPads and tablets to enterprising teachers and they have since become an important part of many classrooms.  MASD teachers love developing interesting and creative projects that get students excited about science and technology.  A grant provided a remotely-operated underwater vehicle for the high school Science Club so that they could monitor areas of Phantom Lake with video and sensors.  A middle school teacher requested a drone kit for her classroom in order to teach students the skill of flying machines remotely.  Needless to say, the students loved it. The high school Robotics Team and Lego League have also been recipients of our support.

 

Science classrooms have received unique equipment such as motion detectors, various sensory probes for physic’s experiments, a telescope for astronomy classes and a Resusci Anne manikin for the health care classes.   We recently approved the purchase of electrophoresis chambers for the biology and health science classrooms.

 

One of our larger grants was provided to the district in order to implement the Project Lead the Way initiative.  The Foundation realizes the importance of STEM education for our students.

 

Many other projects and grants have been supported by the Foundation and are too numerous to list.

 

 

A $20,000 grant to Mukwonago High School's Technology & Engineering department funded a Wazer Water Jet, a powerful tool that brings real-world advanced manufacturing experiences into the classroom. This state-of-the-art machine uses high-pressure water and abrasive materials to precisely cut through metal, glass, stone, and composites. Students will gain hands-on experience with CAD/CAM software, material processing, and precision fabrication—skills essential for careers in engineering, design, and manufacturing. The Wazer Water Jet enhances our STEM curriculum by exposing students to industry-standard technology, preparing them for the workforce or further education in technical fields. 

 

 

 

A $5,000 grant from the MEF provided the district's food service department the opportunity to grow fresh produce for students year around.  The hydroponic growing system developed by Wisconsin company Fork Farm has already been used to grow multiple crops of fresh salad greens and basil used for lunches.  Located in the service area of Mukwonago High School, the system will allow food to be produced "from seed to plate" and will provide students with learning opportunities through the school year.