LAB Midwest

Augusta High School's slate of traditional tech ed classes - woods, metals - was missing something. After spending time with local industry and their regional technical college, the district recognized the need to add more high-tech courses to their program. Enter Industry 4.0 Fundamentals, where students now take 4 classes in mechatronics, industrial controls, industrial robotics and IIoT. Now, they're serving a broader set of students with coursework aligned to post-secondary and the workforce. 🎥 Watch how this small school district is transforming their traditional tech ed to align with the future, creating new and better opportunities for students. Credit goes to the vision of district administrators like Reed Pecha, Ed.D., and the incredible passion and dedication of Chuck Catt for taking on this program! Mentioned in this video: Chippewa Valley Technical College, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, FANUC America Corporation, Amatrol, SACA - Smart Automation Certification Alliance, Ashley Furniture, Bush Brothers & Company, MRS Machining, Nestle #CTE #TechnicalEducation #robotics #Industry40

Where is the future of plasma cutting headed? Plasma cutting isn’t just about cutting metal—it’s about precision, automation, and preparing students for high-tech careers in manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and even art. That’s why APT Manufacturing Solutions created MOD-CUT, a collaborative robot plasma cutting system that combines FANUC America Corporation's CRX with Hypertherm Robotic Plasma Solutions' Powermax85 SYNC®, bringing real-world automation into the classroom. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗠𝗢𝗗-𝗖𝗨𝗧? 🔹Collaborative Robotics Experience – Students train with FANUC’s CRX, learning robot programming on the latest technology in the industry 🔹Advanced Plasma Cutting Skills – Hands-on training with Hypertherm’s Powermax85 SYNC®, covering precision cutting, consumable management, and process optimization 🔹Data-Driven Learning – Hypertherm’s Powermax85 SYNC® provides automated process setup with RFID-enabled SmartSYNC® and real-time data tracking for consumable optimization Plasma cutting is in demand due to its versatility across industries. Now, with MOD-CUT, students can train with industry-leading automation and data-driven technology. 🔗 Learn more about the MOD-CUT: https://okt.to/Fb1NPr #plasmatechnology #metalfabrication #technicaleducation #collaborativerobot

Last week at WTEA, we had an incredible time showcasing the latest in CTE training technology, from robotics and AI to advanced manufacturing and 3D printing. 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: ✅ Official launch of Discover AI – bringing applied AI education into the classroom ✅ Hands-on demos with Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, FANUC America Corporation, ✅ Robotics & automation with FANUC, MINDS-i Education and Quanser ✅ 3D printing keychains from B9Creations | Digital Manufacturing Technology ✅ CNC training with Levil Technology ✅ Advanced manufacturing with Amatrol ✅ Metrology & scanning with Creaform ✅ Biotechnology with NeuroMaker STEM Special thanks to Whitehall School District teachers & students for showcasing the incredible work being done at the Emerging Technology Laboratory, which paved the way for Discover AI to be brought to school districts all across the Midwest. 💡 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁? Check it out here: https://okt.to/i4dO2A

The Future of AI Education is Here – Meet Discover AI! AI is transforming every industry—from manufacturing and robotics to healthcare, agriculture, and energy. But AI education? It’s barely scratching the surface. That’s why we built Discover AI—a turnkey, applied AI learning lab that gives students real-world, hands-on experience with the same AI-driven technologies shaping the workforce today. ❌ Not just chatbots. ✅ This is AI in action. -Self-driving vehicles -Autonomous robots & smart factories -AI-powered precision agriculture -Smart energy & grid technology -Biotechnology & brain-computer interfaces 🔹 Student-led. Project-based. Modular. Teacher-facilitated. 🔹 Designed for all students, in STEM, CTE, and beyond. 🔹 Built to scale and adapt to any school’s needs. 🧠 This is AI education, reimagined. 🎥 Watch the video to see Discover AI in action! 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ghVkwRdU

We're just a few days away from sharing the most exciting applied AI in education initiative! 🙌

It is such a privilege when industry partners open their doors to give students some real-world applications of the amazing things we are learning in the classroom. Midwest Precision Molding Plas-Tech Engineering LAB Midwest Gateway Technical College

Industrial skills are for everyone! 🙌 A local instructor's daughter explores the Amatrol pneumatics trainer, resulting in a "proud dad moment" for that teacher. What if we empowered all kids to explore this kind of technology in the classroom, opening their eyes to a whole new world of interests, skills and careers?

Setting a reminder that 03.05.25 the biggest announcement in applied #AI education is launching! Stay tuned.

What happens when industry supports technical education? Programs grow! The Mechatronics, Robotics & Packaging program at Hennepin Technical College has great support from local employers who benefit from the program's graduates. We had a great time visiting the amazing people Hennepin Tech - Jeff Thorstad, Mark Johnson & a student, pictured here. All systems shown are Amatrol & FANUC America Corporation.

"We are fighting a losing battle trying to ban the use of generative AI in the classroom. Instead, we should innovate our approach to education in the age of artificial intelligence." #AI is here to stay, and it's time for education to adapt! The TechEd Podcast has an entire episode dedicated to the 5 things education is getting wrong about AI in the classroom. 🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://okt.to/C1sX3F