Molten metal, custom keychains, and hands-on science. That’s what greeted ten high school students from the TRIO and UWM Precollege Program when they stepped into UWM’s Foundry Lab on July 10 for this summer’s second “Foundry in a Box” event.
Hosted by the UWM College of Engineering & Applied Science, the workshop turns complex concepts into tangible fun – offering a deep dive into the world of metal casting.
Students kicked things off with a brief but engaging lesson from Pradeep Rohatgi, UWM’s Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) Key Professor, who walked them through how casting has helped shape modern life.
He also spotlighted impressive achievements of UWM Foundry Lab students, who present at national conferences, and have access to scholarships, paid internships, and paid undergraduate research.
Then students rolled up their sleeves and packed sand molds for personalized metal castings. With help from UWM student volunteers, they watched molten tin poured into molds, then took home the shiny results: their own handcrafted keychains and accessories.
Incoming engineering student Katin Ekins shared how attending a Foundry in a Box session helped shape her path to UWM.
The event sparked plenty of questions – and inspiration – as students explored the possibilities of engineering and the foundry industry. A UWM video crew was also on hand to capture the lab’s outreach on film.
Each year, UWM hosts multiple Foundry in a Box events for middle and high school students and their teachers.
UWM has been an FEF school since 1996. Over the years, FEF support has fueled scholarships, upgraded lab facilities, and expanded student research – helping prepare the next generation of Wisconsin’s foundry professionals.