MARYSVILLE — Michael Fitzpatrick would like to see a world-class manufacturing lab started at Arts & Technology High School.
The new lab would house manufacturing, engineering and robotics programs for both Arts & Technology and Heritage high schools.
It will cost $2.5 million to complete, according to the engineering and manufacturing teacher.
“We have architectural work under way, we have a board, we have land, we have curriculum,” Fitzpatrick said. “We have everything we need without the money.”
Fitzpatrick and other members of the MERIT Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports learning opportunities for Marysville Arts & Technology High School students, know that the Marysville School District’s budget cannot fund construction now.
He added that they don’t want to wait until money is available to start working on the approximately 7,000-square-foot lab.
The school located at 7204 27th Ave. NE plans to host a breakfast and informational meeting at 9 a.m. today to discuss the design of the lab and ask for financial support.
About 135 Arts & Technology students in the manufacturing program and 60 students in the robotics program are bused throughout the school day to take classes in the manufacturing lab at Totem Middle School, Fitzpatrick said. The 2-mile trip to the lab and back to the high school campus shortens the amount of classroom instruction and work time.
“It’s less than an ideal period for students who need to take out tools to get started on a project,” said Fitzpatrick, adding that it doesn’t leave much time for clean-up and training.
Instruction in the lab would help prepare students for engineering school and for careers in high-tech industries, Fitzpatrick said. Students would build robots and theater sets and learn about composite manufacturing, laser cutting, engraving and welding in the space.
“We want to attract kids to engineering, aerospace and manufacturing by exposing them to (those careers),” he said. “We’re not really doing that yet in Marysville.”
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
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