Middleton High School engineering and technology teacher Justin Zander said on May 5 that he and his students are nearly finished building a solar kiln, which will soon be used to dry lumber for the school’s woodworking program.
The project is expected to help reduce costs for the school and give students more opportunities for hands-on learning. Zander explained that the kiln operates as an insulated shed with vents, acting like a wind tunnel to dry out boards efficiently. “It’s basically an insulated shed,” Zander said. “You put vents into it, and it acts like a wind tunnel to dry out boards in the right way. It heats up wood to kill bugs and acts as a dryer to take the moisture out of the wood.”
Currently, Middleton High School spends about $6,000 each year on lumber purchases. Zander estimates this figure will drop to around $600 annually once they begin milling their own lumber using the new kiln. He said this cost reduction would allow woodworking students—typically numbering between 100 and 175 each semester—to undertake larger projects. If enough wood is milled, Zander plans to share materials with middle schools in the district as well.
Zander received funding for building the kiln through a grant from the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Education Foundation. He recently discussed progress on the project with senior Hunter Hull during an interview with Spectrum 1 News. As completion nears, they are seeking tree and wood donations from individuals, businesses, or municipalities who wish to contribute.
According to the official website, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District promotes community engagement through extracurricular activities while maintaining facilities that support education from early childhood through high school across Middleton and Cross Plains in Wisconsin. The district has achieved top ACT composite scores among public non-charter schools in Dane County and aims to prepare students for global challenges by fostering local inspiration.
