Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration Opens
The Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration officially opened following the Opening Ceremony on Monday, Aug. 28 with a dedication ceremony featuring major supporters David and Madeleine Lubar and Joan Lubar ’77 and her husband Dr. John Crouch. The space is the first of its kind in the state, and one of only a few like it in the country, and serves as a central hub of experiential, technology-based experimentation and learning. It is located in the Upper School, but will be used by USM students and faculty of all ages.
“We are so pleased to support University School of Milwaukee and, in particular, this center,” said David Lubar. “We love the idea of creating a devoted space with specialized equipment, experienced staff, and advanced programming to encourage and facilitate innovation, exploration, creativity, and idea generation. We believe the students who come here will learn additional skills and knowledge which will be valuable in their careers and their lives ahead.” Added Joan Lubar ’77, “We could not be happier and more proud that we were able to do this and be involved in the Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration. I think it is so exciting for University School and also for the city of Milwaukee.”
The large, two-story space features highly adaptable work stations that facilitate collaboration, team projects, and free-form experimentation. It also features advanced technology like laser cutters, 3-D printers, and other equipment for interest-powered and production-centered learning. The Lubar Center further supports USM’s commitment to fostering a culture of discovery and inquiry.
“Students are getting in here and learning not only the latest technology, but also learning how to really prepare for what’s coming in their future and we’re so excited about it,” said Head of School Laura Fuller.
The Lubar Center is a facility funded by contributions through USM’s Our Common Bond capital campaign, along with additional capital projects, the USM endowment, and the USM Fund.
David Anderson, who was recently hired as USM’s new innovation engineer, will oversee the Lubar Center. He earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Kettering University and his master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan. Anderson joins USM with diverse experience in both the engineering and the education industry. He previously earned a Woodrow Wilson teaching fellowship and has worked in Michigan schools as a teacher, robotics coach, and mentor, and he has also worked in the automotive industry in Michigan and Mexico.
Anderson will work closely with Nikki Lucyk, who was named to the new position of director of innovation this past spring, as well as the school’s innovation liaisons in each division, helping to coordinate programming in the Lubar Center and working with teachers and students on how to use all of the equipment in the space.
