Middle school STEM education should be fun, memorable and hands-on. Most importantly, it should directly relate to available and future career opportunities.

That’s precisely what the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program is all about.

In the 2025-2026 school year, this career exploration program will include 73 middle school classrooms across Virginia. Twenty-one new schools across multiple divisions have elected to integrate the GO TEC program – a testament to the growing demand for, and excitement about, STEM and career-focused technical education.

Career Engagement in Virginia Middle Schools: GO TEC

“Across the state, we embed in middle schools this innovative experience that gets students excited, engaged, exposed to and connected with meaningful, hands-on curriculum in a variety of career pathways,” says Jake Taylor, GO TEC’s Technical and Training Manager at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), which administers the GO TEC program.

Addressing the Need for Early STEM and Career Education

Recognizing the importance of early career exploration and hands-on experience, GO TEC bridges the gap between industry demand and student awareness. The program provides middle school students with an engaging introduction to high-demand career fields such as robotics, automation, precision machining, coding and welding.

The goal is clear: providing students with early, practical exposure to guide their future educational and career decisions.

“Introducing students to STEM careers early through hands-on experiences helps spark genuine curiosity and excitement. Students begin connecting classroom activities directly to future career possibilities, which motivates deeper engagement and more informed choices.” – Angela Brown, GO TEC Director, IALR

GO TEC Modules

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Automation & Robotics
  • Welding
  • Precision Machining
  • Healthcare Technologies
  • IT Coding & Networking
  • Metrology

Inside the GO TEC Classroom

A GO TEC classroom is a dynamic, interactive learning environment. Students engage directly with industry-standard equipment, mirroring real-world scenarios and developing practical skills.

“Every single instructional module that we have has a piece of equipment with it that is industry-identified or relevant in those pathways,” said Taylor. “We ensure students understand what it’s like to interact with it.”

Students enjoy trying out the different tools, technology and equipment, beginning to identify what interests them and what doesn’t based on those experiences. Here’s what eighth graders at Gretna Middle School said about the GO TEC classroom.
  • “This class gives you a lot of opportunities to learn new things. It changes your perspective on different careers.” – Brayla Pickeral, 8th grader at Chatham Middle School.
  • “You get to try out different careers and do a lot of hands-on stuff.” – Greyson Heater, 8th grader at Chatham Middle School
  • “If you’re not sure what you want to do when you grow up career-wise, this is the perfect class. It goes over a bunch of careers, and it’s great.” – Keith Hare, 8th grader at Chatham Middle School

Evolution from Local Pilot to Statewide Success

Initially launched as a pilot program in Danville and Pittsylvania County, GO TEC has rapidly scaled due to its effectiveness. It simultaneously piques students’ interest and gives teachers a more robust, hands-on tool for showcasing potential career pathways.

“Thinking back to two pilot schools, and how we grew from those two to six, to 13, to 18, to 52, and now 73, it’s been a really nice journey,” says Taylor. “I look back on it, and I’m proud of where it’s come from. I look forward to what we have in store.”

Growth is fueled by strategic partnerships that ensure each implementation aligns with local industry demands. GO TEC collaborates closely with entities like EO (formerly United Way Southwest Virginia), the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) and Old Dominion University, enabling region-specific expansions and support.

“The success of GO TEC is a direct result of our collaborative approach. Strong partnerships with school divisions, higher education, industry and community organizations ensure the curriculum stays relevant and aligned with regional workforce needs. It’s these partnerships that enable us to effectively scale and impact so many students across Virginia.” – Angela Brown, GO TEC Director, IALR

Connecting Career Pathways Across Education Levels

GO TEC actively connects students with ongoing training and educational opportunities beyond middle school. Ensuring continuity from middle school through high school provides a clear pipeline into advanced career and technical education (CTE) and postsecondary opportunities.

To address this, GO TEC collaborates with school divisions like Pittsylvania County, Danville City and Henry County, embedding modules into existing high school curricula and providing support for STEM and advanced manufacturing programs.

“The core needs across Virginia and the nation are the same. We need to expose students to opportunities earlier, change parents’ mindsets about some of these opportunities, and then bring the voice of business and industry into the classroom. GO TEC is designed to do each of those things and more.” – Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President of Advanced Learning, IALR

While the middle school labs are the most innovative element of the GO TEC program, the multi-region effort extends beyond early exposure and technology integration.

Students first explore occupations and develop foundational skills in Career Connections Labs during middle school. In high school, they’re connected to expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, industry certification programs and dual-enrollment training with higher education partners. Ultimately, students can advance to specialized training at central educational institutions – such as the Integrated Machining Technology program housed at IALR and instructed by Danville Community College – ensuring a clear pathway into high-demand careers. 

Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and Impact

With the addition of 21 new schools, GO TEC continues addressing Virginia’s growing demand for skilled technical workers. Each new school enhances local workforce readiness, preparing students to fill critical roles in industries essential to Virginia’s economy.

As GO TEC expands, students across Virginia will gain valuable exposure to career opportunities, positioning them to enter higher-paying, high-demand fields.

Through comprehensive, hands-on education, GO TEC equips the future workforce with essential skills and knowledge, supporting Virginia’s economic competitiveness for years to come.