Andover's 3 Middle Schools Get Laser Cutters Thanks To $19K Grant

ANDOVER, MA — Global energy management company Schneider Electric has provided funding for new, technologically advanced equipment for the engineering program at Andover Public Schools, the Andover Coalition for Education (ACE) has announced.

In a release, ACE, which partners with the APS to support innovative, curriculum-enhancing, system-wide initiatives, said that Schneider has donated almost $19,000 to purchase three Glowforge laser cutters, one for each of the district's three middle schools.

The equipment will be used by 7th-grade students as part of the green home design project unit and for other engineering/design-related projects.

The home design project, in which every 7th grader participates, began a few years ago thanks to a grant from ACE.

According to the release, Schneider Electric recognized the need to expand the options available to students as they construct their homes, and thus provided the grant.

The equipment will allow students to quickly produce, and test, prototypes of their designs, in addition to providing state-of-the art training opportunities that prepare students for further studies and careers, according to ACE.

"Having access to a laser cutter during the middle school years is incredible," said Stephen Sanborn, Pre K-12 science program coordinator for Andover Public Schools.

Sanborn added: "Students will now be able to cut and construct the structural elements of the model as well as design and craft innovative design features that could improve the green quality of the model homes more precisely. Thanks to these new fabrication tools, they are also able to explore other prototypes and different energy options as part of this unit now. We are so appreciative of this grant."

Schneider Electric, according to its website, is a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation.

"As a global company that has deep ties to Andover, we are thrilled to make an impact on student learning, especially as it relates to exposing students to design concepts that include green energy," said Makarand Joshi, director of Strategy, Innovation and Standards for Schneider Electric.

Joshi continued: "It is exciting to see students learn by doing. The purchase of the laser cutters will expose students to different pieces of equipment that just might spark an interest in a subject or area of study they had not considered before."