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2026 STEM Institute: Advancing Innovation in Education

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2026 STEM Institute: Advancing Innovation in Education

2026 STEM Institute: Advancing Innovation in Education

Mathematics (STEM) continue to be powerful drivers of student achievement and educator growth. Cognia’s STEM Institute offers a dynamic opportunity to explore the purpose and practice of STEM education – how it connects across all content areas, how it transforms classrooms, and how to cultivate a thriving STEM culture within your school or system.

Designed for both instructional leaders and classroom educators, this institute provides actionable insights and fresh strategies to expand STEM initiatives. Participants will engage with Cognia’s internationally recognized STEM framework – a pathway to certification and a model for defining high-quality STEM programs.

Through interactive panel discussions and showcases of best practices, experienced educational leaders will share how they’ve successfully implemented STEM strategies using Cognia’s framework, and the impact it has had on their institutions. Attendees will leave with new ideas, practical tools, and meaningful connections to support and grow STEM efforts in their own contexts.

Register Now

Jake Taylor Wins STEM Innovator of the Year Award

Jake Taylor Wins STEM Innovator of the Year Award

Jake Taylor, Technical and Training Manager for the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program, was named STEM Innovator of the Year by STARBASE Victory, Inc. The award ceremony was held on March 13.

This award recognizes Taylor’s dedication and innovation in STEM education across Virginia.

“I am honored to have been chosen for and accept this award from STARBASE Victory of Portsmouth Virginia. STARBASE has been an integral partner in the expansion of the GO TEC program into Portsmouth City Schools, and I am proud to have served an active role in enhancing educational opportunities focused on careers and skills within Advanced Manufacturing for their students.” – Jake Taylor, GO TEC Technical and Training Manager, IALR

Jake Taylor, GO TEC Technical and Training Manager (middle)

The GO TEC program engages middle school students through hands-on experiences with technology and equipment, introducing them to potential careers in Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing and STEM fields. Taylor has been involved with GO TEC for five years, providing technical expertise and training to educators.

He previously served as a STEM Academy Instructor for Pittsylvania County Schools and was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2014-2015.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Bridgewater College. Taylor holds endorsements in Physics and Mathematics and possesses a Commercial Driver’s License. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Claire Parker Foundation and the Southern Piedmont Technology Council.

Taylor first brought the GO TEC Mobile Lab to Portsmouth in July 2022. The mobile lab introduced students to advanced equipment and STEM career opportunities. From enhancing Portsmouth Summer School Math remediation with robotics activities to hosting a weeklong Automation & Robotics camp culminating with a competition, the mobile lab provides a variety of educational opportunities to enrich classroom learning and give students meaningful hands-on experiences in many critical Industry sectors.

The GO TEC program now operates in all three middle schools within Portsmouth Public Schools, forming a critical component of their career pipeline initiative.

“Jake’s passion and expertise have significantly expanded the reach and impact of the GO TEC program. His dedication continues to inspire both educators and students across Virginia.” – Angela Rigney, GO TEC Director, IALR

About GO TEC

The GO TEC program creates a talent pipeline by introducing middle school students to careers in Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing and STEM-related fields. GO TEC curriculum engages students through specialized training modules targeting high-demand industry sectors, stimulating job growth across Virginia.

GO TEC Website

About IALR

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. IALR serves as the fiscal agent and program lead for GO TEC, aligning with its mission to enhance STEM education and career opportunities.

Students Discovering Research

Students Discovering Research

When Nadia Orlowski began researching how starch impacts dental plaque formation, she knew meticulous planning and careful experimentation would be crucial. She conducted experiments introducing the sugar maltose to bacteria prevalent in the human mouth, comparing the results from two different individuals.

Surprisingly, this scientific experimentation wasn’t taking place in a university lab. Orlowski, a Galileo Magnet High School senior, planned and executed the project with guidance from Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

“Dr. Mei has helped me actually do the experiment,” she said. “It’s one thing to have it on paper and research it, but to actually do it is a whole different thing.”

Orlowski was one of nine students in the dual-enrollment Senior Research course from the Piedmont Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science and Technology (PGSMST) who received support from scientists in IALR’s Applied Research division.

Students spent months researching and planning their projects. During the spring semester, IALR researchers helped the students complete them, sharing their expertise and assisting them with using high-end equipment and labs.

“We identified topics that were of interest to them and their future fields of study, and we helped them design and perform experiments in our labs.” – Scott Lowman, Ph.D., Vice President, Applied Research, IALR

Rigorous Preparation Leading to Research Presentation

PGSMST provides rigorous, technology-driven learning experiences for academically talented juniors and seniors across Southern Virginia. Half of the students (those in Danville and Pittsylvania County) attend IALR; students in Martinsville and Henry County attend Patrick & Henry Community College.

In the research class, students perform extensive literature reviews over the summer and early fall to plan their data collection effectively. This rigorous groundwork flows into several months of hands-on experimentation supervised by mentors.

“Many of our students are working with expert-level researchers. Having that experience to work with a professional researcher is invaluable to them.” – Monica Hatchett, Instructor, Governor’s School

Finally, students analyze their data and craft comprehensive scientific papers.

“The culminating activity for them is at the end of the semester when they will present their research to the general public in a symposium,” said Hatchett.

The symposium, which will be held from April 31 to May 2 at the IALR Conference Center, will feature nine student researchers each evening. They will share their methodology, results and lessons learned.

Hands-On Learning and Expert Mentorship

Students benefit significantly from the hands-on mentorship and professional laboratory access IALR researchers provide.

For instance, Cora Liggon, a senior at Chatham High School enrolled in the Governor’s School, worked closely with Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa at IALR after encountering his research during her literature review.

“He walked me through it,” Liggon shared. “It was definitely a new experience, but it was fun.”

The following IALR researchers worked with students on projects ranging from biotechnology to chemistry to indoor agriculture to physics.

“We are happy to help improve their learning and give them professional labs and scientists to support their research,” Lowman said.

Evolving Service to Meet Regional Needs: the Story of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps Program

Evolving Service to Meet Regional Needs: the Story of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps Program

The Dan River Year AmeriCorps program began 10 years ago with the goal of growing the region’s STEM knowledge and skills, a major focus area for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

In those years, the program, which is administered by IALR, has evolved to help students understand and get excited about science, technology, engineering and math and to provide literacy support and mentoring. Today, AmeriCorps members offer hands-on support in elementary schools and out-of-school and extracurricular activities that benefit students and those who serve.

“IALR rises to the moment and adapts to meet the region’s needs. The evolution of Dan River Year AmeriCorps exemplifies that commitment and ability to fill gaps and contribute to a community where everyone is equipped for success.” – Julie Brown, Ph.D., Vice President, Advanced Learning, IALR

The Program’s Origin and Evolution

In the early days of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program, the focus was almost exclusively on enhancing STEM education for students and adult learners.

“We wanted a way to partner with other organizations to try to close that gap in STEM,” said Dana Silicki, Director of STEM, Service and Lifelong Learning at IALR.

During the early years, the programs and target audiences were broad, ranging from elementary schoolers to adults. Leaders in the participating school divisions were thrilled with the support but noted something important: students were falling behind with reading.

“In elementary school, students learn how to read. In middle school, they read to learn,” said Silicki.

So, the program adapted to become more targeted on both literacy and STEM education, primarily in 4th and 5th grade classrooms.

“It takes many pairs of hands in a school to assist children in learning how to read. We are very fortunate to be able to utilize the AmeriCorps service members for this.” – Mark Jones, Ph.D., Superintendent, Pittsylvania County Schools

In addition to in-school tutors who work one-on-one—or in small groups— with students who need extra assistance, the Dan River Year program supports several regional after-school programs and IALR’s summer STEM Camps for elementary and middle school students.

By pairing literacy support with math and science lessons, the program ensures that students have the foundational skills needed to tackle more advanced STEM coursework. This approach, which fits into IALR’s commitment to expanding STEM capacity and providing opportunities for service learning, furthers IALR’s goal of driving economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Strong readers who develop technical knowledge are more likely to pursue higher-skilled jobs, strengthen local businesses and innovate as they grow.

Impact on Schools and Other Sites

Today, AmeriCorps members are embedded in classrooms in nine elementary schools between Danville and Pittsylvania County. The teachers and schools identify the students who need more personalized attention and support, and the members work with those students in small groups or even one-on-one to answer questions, re-explain concepts and mentor them.

“These members enhance what the teacher is doing,” Silicki said. “The students get that extra opportunity to have a little bit more one-on-one time to ask questions and receive the information in a slightly different way. That one-on-one and small group intervention benefits the students, giving them more attention and mentorship.”

Many schools rely on this extra support to ensure personalized attention for students.

“We are tightly staffed,” said Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent Mark Jones. “This program provides some flexibility for principals, allowing them to fill gaps. We would not have that option without these AmeriCorps service members.”

The members who serve in the schools get to work with the same students for weeks or even months, seeing significant growth.

“It’s gratifying for the members because they see where the students are when they begin serving with them on day one, the first day of school,” said Audia Harris, Program Coordinator for IALR, who also served three terms with Dan River Year. “The members help the students feel comfortable not only with social and emotional skills but also with their learning and schoolwork.”

The classroom sites function very differently than the out-of-school sites. At the Danville Science Center, which has hosted members since the program began, members help design and lead various STEM-focused activities for people of all ages.

“They help to add depth, quality and quantity to the amount of public STEM programming that we can provide,” said Executive Director Adam Goebel.

There is no “template” AmeriCorps experience at the Danville Science Center. Instead, staff work with each member to determine their focus and experience based on their strengths and goals.

“The purpose of the program is to give these members real-world experiences in serving the public,” Goebel said. “Once they’re in the door, we help them figure out what they want to accomplish and how they hope to grow during their service term.”

Five AmeriCorps members who served at the Danville Science Center have accepted positions directly with the organization.

The Members’ Journey

Many AmeriCorps members say they gain as much from the program as the students. They come from varied backgrounds, including recent high school graduates, career changers and retirees looking to give back. They develop mentoring skills, teaching techniques and a deeper understanding of community needs.

“This position allows me to recognize the needs of our students in education while creating tutor strategies that will help the students to make better grades and increase social-emotional learning goals,” said Donna James, who is in her fourth term of service.

Audia Harris, Program Coordinator with IALR, served three terms herself before stepping into her current role. She now coordinates member training, organizes service projects and provides ongoing support. Her experience shows how an AmeriCorps service year can lead to bigger opportunities.

“My time in the program polished me for the next steps in my career path,” Harris said.

Many past members have already taken what they learned and leveraged it into new roles in education, nonprofits and beyond. In total, members have completed 222 terms of service.

Success Stories:

  • Mikayla Ragsdale and Beth Bennett both served in the program, worked as teachers and are now principals with Danville Public Schools.
  • Phillip Ashby served as a summer member before becoming a Montgomery County Public Schools teacher. He was recently named teacher of the year for the school division.
  • Devinia Thorpe was so successful in her service term at Averett University that they created an employee position for her after completion of her AmeriCorps service.

Ashby spent the summer of 2017 serving at the Coates Recreation Center, Schoolfield Elementary School and helping with STEM Camps at IALR.

“My career aligned so directly with experiences with Dan River Year Americorps that I felt more prepared than some of my colleagues. I can directly attribute my success as a teacher now to the work I accomplished and the skills I learned during the program.” Phillip Ashby, Teacher, Montgomery Public Schools

Anyone passionate about service is welcome to apply to join the program as an AmeriCorps member. With flexible terms ranging from five to 30 hours weekly, the program provides memorable opportunities for impact. Members receive a stipend and, upon completion of their term, a Siegel Education Award.

Evolving Impact

As the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program completes a decade, it continues to grow to meet regional needs. The plan is to add additional elements to the AmeriCorps program, including disaster services, youth mental health support and community health education.

“Moving forward, we will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the community and not just do something because that’s the way it’s been done in the past,” Silicki said. “We’re continuing to meet the community’s needs and impacting our service members, partners and those we serve.”

About the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

Filling the Gap: STEM Career and Technical Education for 9th and 10th Grade

Filling the Gap: STEM Career and Technical Education for 9th and 10th Grade

Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) Career Connections Labs are now in 52 middle schools statewide, exposing approximately 9,000 students annually to career opportunities like welding, precision machining, automation and robotics, metrology, mechanical engineering and much more. The goal of this program, administered by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), is to introduce the students pathways and funnel them toward existing training programs and opportunities in those sectors.

However, in most school divisions in Virginia, STEM-focused career and technical education lags in 9th and 10th grade before hyper-focusing again in 11th and 12th grade. To fill that gap, the GO TEC team is working with several Southern Virginia school divisions to implement impactful STEM-focused career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for 9th- and 10th-graders. These pilot partners of GO TEC and IALR include Danville Public Schools, Pittsylvania County Schools and Henry County Public Schools.  

“We’re getting young people exposed to these opportunities and excited about them, but how can we continue that in 9th and 10th grade?” – Julie Brown, Ph.D., Vice President, Advanced Learning, IALR

Memorable Middle School Introductions  

Those Career Connections Labs are part of the GO TEC program, which stimulates job growth within the Commonwealth by creating dependable talent pipelines in strategic, STEM-focused sectors. Made possible by robust public-private partnerships, GO TEC exemplifies IALR’s goals of connecting students to careers and expanding STEM capacity.  

IALR serves as GO TEC’s fiscal agent and program lead. Partners, including K12 school systems, higher education, industry and economic development, support and guide GO TEC. 

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

The GO TEC program started as a pilot in Danville and Pittsylvania County Schools and has now spread to middle schools from Abingdon to Hampton Roads.  

As middle school Career Connections Labs proliferate across the Commonwealth, GO TEC staff are focusing earnestly on helping school divisions create effective CTE programs for 9th- and 10th-grade students in those sectors.  

“The reason for investing in 9th- and 10th-grade programs is that we know what those CTE programs are in 11th and 12th grade. We wanted to start taking this funnel that’s big in elementary and middle school and extend it to form a complete pipeline.” – Angela Rigney, GO TEC Director, IALR

See the GO-TEC Website

Funding Talent Pathways  

Southern Virginia was awarded a Defense Manufacturing Community Support Designation (DMCSP) from the Department of Defense in 2021. This opened the door for future grant opportunities, such as a $5 million 2021 workforce development pipeline grant from the Department of Defense that has allowed IALR to support several initiatives, including:  

  • Successful GO TEC Robotics Competitions in 2023 and 2024
  • Virginia’s first Manufacturing Engineering Technology bachelor’s degree at Old Dominion University with a corresponding associate degree from Patrick & Henry Community College
  • Curriculum mapping from middle school to university programs 

That grant is also being used to support the creation of 9th- and 10th-grade pilot programs focused on STEM and manufacturing career pathways for three area school divisions.  

“The goal of these 9th- and 10th-grade STEM programs is to keep the students engaged when they leave the GO TEC Career Connections labs before they can go into dual enrollment.” – Amanda Hylton, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Manufacturing Advancement, IALR

Successful 9th- and 10th-Grade Programs in Pittsylvania County  

Pittsylvania County Schools launched two 9th- and 10th-grade academies in the 2022-2023 academic year: the Advanced Manufacturing Academy and the Health Sciences Academy. For these two-year programs, 9th- and 10th-grade students from the county’s four high schools spend half their day at the STEM Academy in Chatham and the other half at their base school. The program focuses on providing hands-on, engaging learning experiences that connect students with real-world applications of STEM. 

The curriculum of these programs was created to be hands-on and engaging. Students frequently take trips to different facilities around the community.  

“These programs give our students a different type of learning experience than at the base high school.” – Mark Jones, Ph.D., Superintendent, Pittsylvania County Schools

Students in the Advanced Manufacturing Academy in Pittsylvania County Schools gain hands-on experience in industries like welding, machining and automation with additional exploration in robotics, additive manufacturing and metrology.  

Over the course of the two-year program, students also create a professional portfolio of all the skills and experience they gain. 

“The feedback I receive from students and parents has been positive. It helps students understand what their likes are, their dislikes and what pathway they want to pursue.” – Sonya Soyars, Advanced Manufacturing Academy Instructor, Pittsylvania County Schools

Henry County Schools Pilot Program 

Henry County Public Schools is also addressing the 9th- and 10th-grade gap. A new pilot program for these grades has been launched, focusing on creating engaging STEM and CTE opportunities that build on the foundation established in middle school.  

Henry County Public Schools is placing GO TEC equipment, including virtual reality welders, on mobile carts that can serve different classrooms.

Henry County Public Schools already has robust CTE offerings at their base schools and the Career Academy. However, these offerings need a stronger emphasis on STEM-specific careers aligned with GO TEC pathways. With the support of the DMSCP grant, Henry County is integrating GO TEC equipment and tracks into its existing structure. This includes technologies such as Dobots, Haas Milling Machines and virtual welding simulators, which are placed on mobile carts for use across different classes. 

“We’re using this equipment to enhance what we already have. This equipment and technology has been monumental in enhancing the student experience.” – Kyana Smith, Ph.D., Coordinator of Career and Technical Education, Henry County Public Schools

A Customized Approach for 9th and 10th Grade 

The program equipment, technology and structure are very systematized and consistent across the 52 middle school GO TEC Career Connections Labs. However, that same level of uniformity doesn’t work with 9th- and 10th-grade programs.   

“There is not a one-size-fits-all 9th- and 10th-grade model that closes the gap and fills that career training pathway. We have to factor in timing, available resources, and regional differences and tailor this to each locality and each region.” – Jake Taylor, GO TEC Technical and Training Manager, IALR

GO TEC staff will continue to support Virginia school divisions by creating innovative, customized programs to bridge the 9th- and 10th-grade gap.  

“Career and technical education is coming back in full force. But it’s essential to strategically plan and implement those pathways and plans of success.” – Angela Rigney, GO TEC Director, IALR

Inside IALR Podcast: A Decade of Service and Impact: Dan River Year AmeriCorps

Inside IALR Podcast: A Decade of Service and Impact: Dan River Year AmeriCorps

The Dan River Year AmeriCorps program celebrates its decade of impact in the community. The episode highlights the evolution of the program and its multifaceted approach to address educational gaps in STEM and literacy.

This episode features Dana Silicki (Director of STEM, Service, and Lifelong Learning at IALR), Audia Harris (Program Coordinator at IALR), and Adam Goebel (Executive Director of the Danville Science Center), each of whom share their unique perspective on the impact of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program.

Episode highlights include:

  • Overview of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program
  • The evolution of focus from STEM to include literacy
  • Recruitment processes and member demographics
  • AmeriCorps members’ roles in classrooms and mentoring
  • Success stories demonstrating program impact
  • Future directions for community service and educational efforts
  • Current recruitment opportunities for interested members

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS

LISTEN ON IALR’S SITE

Strategic Talent Pathways Starting in Middle School

Strategic Talent Pathways Starting in Middle School

The growing Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program is significantly impacting Virginia middle school students, school divisions and economic development efforts. Several leaders recently highlighted that impact and discussed future growth as part of a panel discussion during the GO Virginia State Board Retreat hosted at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Conference Center.

GO TEC is a talent pathway that provides Virginia middle schoolers with hands-on introductions to advanced manufacturing and technology careers. IALR serves as the fiscal agent and program lead for GO TEC, which is supported and guided by partners that include K12 school systems, higher education, industry and economic development.

Virginia’s initiative for growth and opportunity in each region, GO Virginia is an economic development initiative and one of the primary funders of GO TEC, having provided approximately $9 million in funding to date.

Ben Davenport, a member of the GO Virginia State Board and the IALR Board of Trustees, moderated the panel.

“GO TEC is one of the very best investments that GO Virginia has made,” he said.

Below are a few of the main ideas shared during the panel discussion by the following leaders:

  • Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President, Advanced Learning, IALR
  • Linda Green, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance and IALR’s Vice President of Economic Development
  • Dr. Mark Jones, Superintendent, Pittsylvania County Schools

A Talent Pathway

GO TEC introduces Virginia middle school students to emerging STEM-focused career fields through hands-on learning. Some modules include manufacturing engineering, automation & robotics, welding, precision machining and IT coding & networking.

GO TEC started as a pilot program in Danville Public Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools in 2018-2019.

“GO TEC has allowed us to build down and build up to create interest. It’s integrated learning at its best for middle-school students.” – Dr. Mark Jones, Superintendent, Pittsylvania County Schools

Economic Impact

The program has an impact on more than just students and school divisions.

As one of the economic development leaders for Southern Virginia, Green shared that she always takes business prospects into GO TEC classrooms, where the students’ enthusiasm and growing skillsets make a strong impression.

“The return on investment has been phenomenal for this region and the whole Commonwealth of Virginia,” Green said.

Green shared that workforce development has become a differentiator for Southern Virginia economic developers. GO TEC has tangibly demonstrated the area’s commitment to meeting industry’s workforce needs by developing a sustainable pipeline of talent earlier to allow more opportunity for expanded skill development and career readiness.

Regional Expansion

Since the program launched in just a few schools in 2018-2019, the curriculum and program have continued to expand across the Commonwealth. As a result of GO Virginia investments, strategic partnerships and many success stories, 9,000+ students in 52 middle schools across Virginia, ranging from Abingdon to Chesapeake, will experience the GO TEC curriculum annually starting in the 2023-2024 school year.

“GO TEC gets students excited about these career opportunities. This is good for young people. This is good for Virginia.” – Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President, Advanced Learning, IALR

Brown said there are two simple goals moving forward: (1) to get GO TEC in every Virginia middle school and (2) to implement more impactful career education in the 9th and 10th grades – a current gap across the Commonwealth.

Showcasing the Program

Tours of the GO TEC Teacher Training Lab at IALR and the GO TEC Mobile lab were offered as part of the GO Virginia State Board Retreat. The full team, led by Program Director Angela Rigney, was on site to demonstrate the equipment, answer questions and connect with statewide leaders.

Three additional training labs are housed across the commonwealth with in-region coordinating entities: Endless Opportunity, the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Old Dominion University Research Foundation.

School divisions, industry partners and economic development organizations that are interested in partnering with GO TEC should contact Angela Rigney, GO TEC Director.

Spots Available in Three July Summer STEM Camps

Spots Available in Three July Summer STEM Camps

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is excited to announce the final three camps of its Summer STEM Camp series. These engaging, hands-on camps spark interest in science, technology, engineering and math among students in grades 3-8.

The camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and cost $160 per student.

STEM in Space/Around the World

  • Embark on an educational journey through space science and global cultures. This camp features hands-on activities that cover topics from astronomy to geography, encouraging curiosity and a global perspective.
  • July 8-12, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Registration Deadline: July 3, 11:30 p.m.

Register Online

STEM Studios/Young Authors Unite

  • This unique camp combines creative arts and STEM, allowing students to explore music production, video editing and book writing. Participants will create their own digital content, blending creativity with technical skills.
  • July 15-19, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Registration Deadline: July 8, 11:30 p.m.

Register Online

AI Adventures – Intro to Machine Learning/CodeQuest

  • Dive into the world of artificial intelligence and coding. This camp introduces students to machine learning concepts and coding through interactive projects and challenges, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • July 22-26, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Registration Deadline: July 15, 11:30 p.m.

Register Online

“Our summer camps provide applied and experiential learning opportunities that help prevent learning loss over the summer and keep students engaged and inspired.” – Dana Silicki, Director, Lifelong & Service Learning Programs, IALR

Beats and Jams: Digital Music Creators/STEM: From an Artist's View 6/17-6/21

IALR accepts various payment methods, including credit card and check. Lunch, snacks and all supplies are included in the cost.

For more information on scholarships and to apply, please check out the STEM Camps webpage.

Summer STEM Camp Details 

IALR Foundation Awards STEM Scholarships

IALR Foundation Awards STEM Scholarships

IALR recently awarded 16 graduating high school seniors with scholarships of $1,000 each to support their continued education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concentrations. Offered through the IALR Foundation, the scholarship program is an important stimulant for developing talent in STEM career fields. 

The IALR Foundation offers graduating high school students interested in STEM and located throughout the IALR service region the opportunity to earn scholarships every year.

Each of the students below received a $1,000 scholarship. 

​

Sara Al-Azzam graduated from Danville Public Schools and will attend Northwestern University.

Isabella Beatty graduated from Mecklenburg County Public Schools and will be attending the University of Virginia.

Nora Bohanon graduated from Halifax County Public Schools and will attend Clemson University.

Jordan Caldwell-McGhee graduated from Henry County Public Schools and will attend James Madison University.

Xzaevion Carrington graduated from Mecklenburg County Public Schools and will attend Christopher Newport University.

Emily Crews graduated from Halifax County Public Schools and will attend Longwood University.

Mia Davis graduated from Pittsylvania County Schools and will attend Radford University Carillion.

Heaven Garten graduated from Henry County Public Schools and will attend the University of Virginia.

Abraham Gherman graduated from Franklin County Public Schools and will attend West Virginia University.

Eli Goins graduated from Pittsylvania County Schools and will attend Virginia Tech.

Abigail Lent graduated from Pittsylvania County Schools and will attend the University of Virginia.

Carlie Marshall graduated from Pittsylvania County Schools and will attend North Carolina State University.

Easton Swayers graduated from Franklin County Public Schools and will attend Virginia Western Community College.

Neil Shroff graduated from Danville Public Schools and will attend the University of Virginia.

Dontrell Stephens graduated from Halifax County Public Schools and will attend Stanford University.

Eva “Camille” Underwood graduated from Henry County Public Schools and will attend the University of Virginia.

    
St. Patrick’s Day Stem Camp

St. Patrick’s Day Stem Camp

Have you ever made a rainbow walk, built a shamrock circuit or wanted to catapult your lucky charms? Come to St. Patrick’s Day STEM camp to have fun exploring hands-on science, technology, engineering and math St. Patrick’s day themed activities!

The cost is $20 and students are required to bring their own lunch.  

To register, please contact Dana Silicki:

IALR Awards 16 STEM Scholarships

IALR Awards 16 STEM Scholarships

IALR awarded 16 high school seniors with $1,000 scholarships to support their continued education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The scholarship program, which is available through the IALR Foundation, supports talent development in STEM career fields, which is significantly important to Southern Virginia’s economic transformation. The program is available to qualifying seniors who are interested in STEM and live throughout IALR’s service region. IALR’s STEM commitment is also evident through its research centers, precision machining program and advanced learning programs.

Harrison Booth
Halifax County High School
Virginia Tech

“Southern Virginia is the perfect area (for pharmaceutical companies), because there’s
so much available land for companies to build manufacturing plants and labs. My goal is to
become a lead technician at a major
pharmaceutical company.”

Lucas Burnette
Gretna High School
Hampden-Sydney College 

“My ultimate plan is to never stop learning
while also serving others. I desire for my
career to make a difference.”

Morgan Epperson
Halifax County High School
University of Virginia

“I realized speech language pathologists
helped people with eating and swallowing
issues when my grandfather developed
Lewy Body Disease and began having
trouble eating. A speech therapist worked
with him in the nursing home…I intend to
learn all that I can… to help as many people
as I can.”

Nicholas Flood
Tunstall High School
Danville Community College

“When I finally stepped foot in the classroom,
I was amazed at all of the technology that
the students were working with. There were computers, laptops, networking equipment
and other cool devices…After being blown
away by what I saw, my decision to go into
the field of IT was set, and I have worked towards a career in the field ever since.”

Kylie Jackson
Franklin County High School
University of Mary Washington

“I will use my knowledge in animal anatomy
and behavior to conduct research and
monitor individuals or groups of organisms
in the wild. With each day, I will learn
something new and apply this knowledge
as I study wildlife in their natural habitat to
make conclusions about scientific inquiries.”

Hite Jones
Bluestone High School
Old Dominion University

“Dental hygiene is my aspired career choice
that I plan to pursue for the rest of my life. I would like to assist people with their dental health, because it is crucial to have good
hygiene in order to remain healthy.”

Mary McLaughlin
Galileo High School
University of Virginia

“Recently, I have become drawn to disease research and the role that genetics and
ecology play. The coronavirus outbreak has inspired me to lean towards disease research….This could be one of the most significant events of my lifetime.”

Amber Mize
Patrick County High School
Patrick Henry Community College

“The science of nursing is a tedious and extremely physically taxing field to be in,
but I know without a doubt it is the field for
me. I will work hard in my post-secondary education and even harder in the job I plan
to have to ensure I do absolutely everything
I can to touch the lives of my patients
and their families.”

Cale Newton
Halifax County High School
Virginia Tech

“Even though I am going off to college to get
my education, I will always have the desire to come back. Wherever I go, I will always know that all roads lead home….We also need
more doctors, and I could greatly contribute
to the health of my home community….”

 

Bailey Paxton
Franklin County High School
Radford University

“My end goal in biomedical engineering is to help those who need it medially and cannot afford to pay for it. Hopefully, I will be able to develop my own company that will help with
this goal.”

Ashanti Smith
Franklin County High School
University of Pittsburgh

“In eighth grade, I had the opportunity to take
Health and Human Services as an elective.
This opportunity stimulated my interest in
STEM, because we learned terms and
techniques that are used in the medical
field. I learned how to perform CPR and
how to use a defibrillator.”

Brooke Tilley
Bassett High School
Clemson University

“We live in an era where the concern about health is a priority. Many dentists view
the mouth as the gateway to the body and
look at the whole body and not just the
teeth and gums. I would love to be able to
not only make someone have a beautiful
smile, but improve their health as well.”

 

 

Taylor Wilson
Gretna High School
University of Virginia

“STEM is a subject one can never truly
master, which is why it holds such great
personal appeal. Its subjects never peak; instead, they constantly evolve to present individuals with even more opportunities to learn.”

Alexandria Woods
Tunstall High School
Norfolk State University

“I aspire to become a pediatrician, because
at a young age my cousin became very ill
and was under the care of the hospital for
a long time. I witnessed how the doctors
were able to treat her and nurse her back
to health. I desire to be able to do the same.”

 

James Yeaman 
George Washington High School
Virginia Tech

“Our design construction of a roller coaster
in Physics class combined science
knowledge with construction techniques to
instill a passion for learning… this
opportunity and challenging environment
was a major deciding factor in my
decision to pursue a degree in engineering.”

Kensley Yeatts
Tunstall High School
Liberty University

“Teachers are what shape the future,
and I want to be a part of helping
shape young people into whatever
they aspire to be. I want to make an
impact on teenagers and be a role
model that they can look up to….”