Menomonee Falls School District

To: Board of Education

From: Corey Golla
Re: Innovation Center
Date: August 10, 2017

Executive Summary
Presentation:
Corey Golla will request approval to name the renovated lower level of the High School the Innovation
Center.

Topic and Background:

With the development of STEM and Art programming and the renovation of the lower level at the high
school there has been considerable discussion about the branding of the programs and facilities. Over the
past decade there has been a lot of national dialogue related to the need for succession plans in the STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). This led to the referencing of academic programs in
those areas as STEM programs. That is consistent with our reference in the STEM Academy. More
recently this has evolved to frequent reference to STEAM which integrates the arts into that same
conversation in an effort to inspire inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The common goal is to use the
title to inspire a fresh approach to education where students are engaged in problem solving, critical
thinking, and encouraged to be innovative. All of these are goals embraced by our present staff leading
this work. The companion discussion related to facilities has inspired the development of makerspaces
and fab labs where the facilities and equipment are designed to inspire engaged work in STEM and
STEAM projects. While the aims of all of this is noble the result has been a national and local discussion
that is embroiled in jargon and confusion. A high school team comprised of Bob Vitale (principal),
Megan Sheridan (Director of Communications, Bret Warner (Technology Education), Craig Frederich
(Art and Technology Education), Terra Chmielewski (Art), Brenda Larson (Math and Computer
Science), and Robert Regent Smith (Science and PLTW) and Kathy Finley (Library & Media) met to
discuss the vision of the programming and the branding that can promote their work. They are proposing
to name the facility the Innovation Center with a subtitle that reads Where Design Meets Manufacturing
and Engineering.

Policy 841 governs the naming of facilities. We are requesting a formal motion and approval of the board
for this name.

Budget Implications:
None

Recommended Board Motion:

Recommendation the approval of the name Innovation Center: Where Design Meets Manufacturing and
Engineering to the next meeting for approval.

Attachments:
Policy 841 Naming School District Facilities
Notes from District Team