DesignLab STEAM grant ends early after federal cut; Fond du Lac library seeks ways to continue programming

The Fond du Lac Public Library announced that a federal grant that funded its DesignLab STEAM program will end one year earlier than planned after the Department of Education withdrew funding this month. Interim Library Director Lori Burgess told the City Council on Sept. 24 that "the Department of Education has pulled the funding for the final year" of a program that had provided more than $300,000 annually for four years.

The grant, administered locally by the nonprofit Dramatic Results, supported DesignLab's summer STEAM camps and related professional development. Burgess said the program reached nearly 500 children and targeted students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch; staff told the council their goal was to serve "80% of free and reduced students" and they reached roughly 70% this year.

Crystal Zilke, a DesignLab instructor, described the curriculum as a mix of science, technology, engineering, arts and math: "we do those STEM concepts, but then we build in the art along with that." She said the programs used design-thinking projects such as a food-truck challenge and drew strong student engagement: "they would say, 'no. I don't wanna go outside. Can we please keep creating for hours on end?' "

Burgess and staff said the grant paid for staffing, professional development for pre-service teachers, supplies, and meals; the council was told the funding level was "over $300,000 a year." Burgess also said Fond du Lac was one of three communities nationally selected for the project and that Dramatic Results is pursuing appeals and alternative funding to replace the final year.

Council members pressed staff about sustainability and next steps. Councilmember Leering asked whether the library could charge fees or seek donations; Burgess said there are "all sorts of variations" including scholarships and lower-cost program versions, but that the abrupt timing'less than a month'left little time to build alternatives. Burgess outlined short-term options such as shorter camps or Saturday series and noted some STEAM materials and teacher resources remain available at the library.

Library staff said they will pursue other grants and partnerships, and Dramatic Results has submitted an appeal to the Department of Education. Burgess emphasized that any revised program would look different without the full grant funding: "it would look very different." The library plans to report back as it explores options.

For now, the immediate impact is a program ending earlier than expected and staff and parents working to identify smaller, sustainable offerings so students can continue to access STEAM learning in Fond du Lac.