The new XLR8: Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy, which is now in full swing, was featured on the front page of the News and Advance this past Sunday. If you missed it you can see an article excerpt below and read the full article online:
“Ni, Floyd and Wood are three of 25 students in the inaugural class of the Governor’s Regional STEM Academy, housed at Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg…
The two-year program is for students from public schools in Lynchburg and Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties. Students spend mornings at the academy and then travel back to their regular high schools for afternoon classes. Some ride school buses, while others drive or carpool.
Besides College Chemistry for Engineers, students this year are taking Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Applied Technical Mathematics and Elementary Statistics.
During their senior year, they’ll move on to courses such as anatomy and physiology, engineering math, applied physics, computer integrated manufacturing and digital electronics.
Statewide, Virginia has 22 Governor’s STEM Academies. The hope is they will help build tech-savvy talent for Virginia industries.
The STEM academy in Lynchburg was created as a partnership between Region 2000 development organizations, area schools and businesses, such as AREVA, Babcock & Wilcox, Delta Star and Centra Health.
The partners teamed up to provide money or in-kind donations to fund the academy’s start up.
Now the school is funded through per-student tuition paid by the participating school divisions. Some divisions pass along part of those costs to parents.
CVCC provides dual-enrollment credits to students and space for the program. The Region 2000 Technology Council continues to fundraise in an attempt to find money for equipment.”