Grants Awarded for CTE Equipment Upgrades
Preparing our students for what’s next is one of our top priorities. By the time Virginia students graduate, they will have explored career paths and experienced work-based and service-learning programs. As our global economy grows and changes, our classrooms must adapt. The 2016 General Assembly approved a competitive grant program for schools and technical centers that would fund new and upgraded equipment for students to stay current on industry.
This year, $600,000 in competitive grants have been awarded to 16 high schools and technical centers to upgrade equipment for their career and technical education (CTE) programs. Each school or technical center will receive $37,500 to purchase new equipment and to make other necessary improvements.
The awards, by school division, are as follows:
- Alexandria — Governor’s Health Sciences Academy at T.C. Williams High School (hemocytometer and microcentrifuge equipment for processing DNA protein electrophoresis)
- Buchanan County — Buchanan County CTE Center (multi-virtual machine system for cybersecurity simulations)
- Buckingham County — Buckingham CTE Center (computer numerical control plasma cutting equipment)
- Franklin County — Franklin County High School (electronic HVAC simulation trainer)
- Henrico County — Highland Springs Technical Center (precision machining computer numerical control knee mill)
- Lynchburg — Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy (automated robotics and mechatronic digital electronics equipment)
- Montgomery County — Governor’s STEM Academy at Christiansburg High School (advanced manufacturing equipment: waterjet cutting 3D printer and vibratory finishing chamber)
- Petersburg — Petersburg High School (interactive manikin patient simulator, vital signs monitor and electronic hospital beds)
- Prince Edward County — Prince Edward High School (interactive geriatric patient simulator)
- Spotsylvania County — Spotsylvania CTE Center (interactive anatomy simulator)
- Stafford County — North Stafford High School (virtual augmented reality interactive learning lab)
- Staunton — Robert E. Lee High School (virtual augmented reality interactive learning lab)
- Suffolk — Pruden Technical Center (heavy equipment operator training simulator)
- Virginia Beach — Advanced Technology Center (virtual reality arc welding system)
- Warren County — Blue Ridge Technical Center (computer numerical control machining and electric motor control learning system)
- Washington County — Washington County CTE Center (computer numerical control plasma cutting equipment)
CTE programs prepare students for career opportunities in fields that are important to their communities. Replacing outdated equipment and purchasing the technology needed to support instruction in new career pathways are essential for CTE programs to remain relevant and ensure that graduates are ready for the 21st-century workplace.
Congratulations schools and students! We can’t wait to see what you can do!
