CrayZ Cre8Lab opens STEM sandbox for exploration

STEM learning and applications have become an increasingly essential and revered sector in the modern world. Located in Neenah, Wisconsin, the Cre8Lab aims to provide opportunities for community members to grow and learn new skills using hands-on methods. Co-owners Eric Brehm and Adam Waite gathered inspiration and beginnings from their previous affiliations and volunteer work. 

“Eric and I both volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club for a number of years, and we started successful STEM programs there,” Waite said. “We connected and decided we wanted to get bigger.”

One goal of the lab is to create new ways of thinking that will carry on in daily life. Cre8Lab member Jeff Faul believes that the lab can help create environmentally friendly changes.

“Today, it’s a very throw-away society, so if your microwave or toaster breaks, you throw it away and buy a new one,” he said. “We’re trying to stop that because it just causes more stuff to pile up in landfills. We try to focus on making sure at any age, you can get into making and fixing your own things.”

The lab offers classes for people of all ages and skill levels. Brehm wants to make sure that everyone feels they are accommodated. 

photo by Hannah Chung

Community editor Abby Furcy uses a lathe at the Cre8Lab. Owners and members of the lab are always eager to teach people new things.

“For younger kids, we teach them basic skills because some of these kids are three to four years old when they start,” he said. “As they get older, people come to our soldering circuits workshops, and we get into more of the art side of things. Each project gets a little more technical and advanced.”

Faul joined the lab as a member, and has experienced many more benefits than he would from only working on projects at home.

“You get those perspectives of different angles and can find ways to look at things in new light,” he said. “You don’t get that at home in your workshop. It’s great to be able to bounce ideas and knowledge off of each other.”

To adapt to COVID-19, Brehm implemented changes to classes immediately to keep things safe. 

“We have organized numbers of people who come in now,” he said. “Our setup has worked really well because we can socially distance anyone that’s in here for a class. We’ve done more kit-based workshops rather than using saws and things you’ll be touching a lot.” 

Faul believes that the pandemic gave the lab a crucial time window to focus on gathering interest and more members. 

“It gave us a chance to market and get our name out there,” Faul said. “We didn’t have to worry so much about the building itself and people being in here because we were shut down. We could use Facebook and get out there and make this place visible so it is sustained in the long term.”

The lab has already started to give back to the community, taking on the project of 3D-printing 28,000 ear savers which allow the wearer to adjust how their mask fits. Waite felt it was especially important to help the people in need in any way possible during the pandemic. 

“We found out the community wanted ear savers, so we figured we’d put our 3D printers to work,” he said. “We started printing and donating ear savers to hospitals, schools, and front-line workers.” 

The friends that Waite has made along the journey of creating and running the lab has been one of his favorite parts of the process.

photo by Hannah Chung

Cre8Lab owner Eric Brehm displays some of the lab’s creations. The lab provides projects for people of all ages.

“It’s very cliche, but something I always say is you come for the tools, and you stay for the people,” he said. “I think that’s been big for all of us. A lot of my best friends now are people who have come here in the past year.”

Learning and trying new things is the basis of what the lab represents, and Brehm is excited when people come in and find something new that intrigues them.

“That concept of being creative ties all of us together,” he said. “You may never have been exposed to woodworking, soldering, welding, or 3D printing, so you’ll have no idea what your interests are yet. You may walk in and become interested in something that you had no idea you were interested in.”

Everyone at the lab, including Faul, is always willing to lend their knowledge and assistance to anyone who is eager to learn.

“If you want to make something you think is cool, here’s the spot to do it,” he said. “If you’re interested in something, somebody will get it done with you. We can help you learn the tools you need to make it. Your skillset is going to explode, and that translates into real-life skills and jobs.”

by Abby Furcy and Hannah Chung

Published February 26, 2021

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue 5