Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Driving Economic Transformation

Cricut Creations: Printable Stickers at New College Institute

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Cricut Creations: Printable Stickers at New College Institute

Cricut Creations: Printable Stickers at New College Institute

Join us for this workshop to learn how to create these Print and Cut stickers designed by artist Lenora Lea! All materials are provided, and you’re welcome to bring your own Cricut machine and laptop/tablet to follow along, or there will be a machine and heat press available to use!

To register, you can use the link below and scroll down to the LIFE Cricut Creations: Printable Stickers event and complete the NCI form.

Registration Deadline: August 15th, 2024. 

Partnership with NCI Learning is ForEver (L.I.F.E).

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Loop & Learn: Beginner’s Crochet Class

Loop & Learn: Beginner’s Crochet Class

Dive into the world of crochet with our beginner’s class! From basic stitches to beautiful creations, unlock your creativity one loop at a time. Join the Wonder Community for a fun-filled session where yarn meets artistry, and you leave with newfound skills and handmade treasures!

Registration Deadline: July 25th, 2024

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July Cooking Class

July Cooking Class

Join the Wonder Community and Megabytes as Chef John Clark teaches us how to make fried chicken, pasta salad, country green beans, and berries & cream pavlova. 

Cost for dinner is $20.

Registration and payment for dinner is due by 7.3.24

Limited to 15 Spots. 

Register

Imagination Lavender Farm Tour

Imagination Lavender Farm Tour

Join us on a tour of Imagination Lavender Farm, which has approximately 1200 plants, consisting of both English and French varieties. Owner & founder Carolyn Byrd will teach us about the benefits of lavender and how she and her husband, Wayne, got started growing lavender! We will also be visiting the gift shop, where you can find numerous lavender related products as well as unique art and craft items, many made by local artisans.

To register please use the link below and scroll down to the LIFE Field Trip event and complete the NCI form.

Registration Deadline: June 17, 2024

Partnership with NCI Learning is ForEver (L.I.F.E).

Presented by Carolyn Byrd, Owner & Founder of Imagination Lavender Farm.

Register

Inside IALR Podcast: The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning

Inside IALR Podcast: The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning

The Wonder Community is a lifelong learning program where members join to meet curious people and learn new things. A great network for people of all ages, Wonder provides all types of workshops and skill development opportunities. Brian Stanley, Advanced Learning Program Coordinator, discusses how Wonder got started, shares what makes the community so special and highlights some of the different workshops that have been offered. Jessica Hardy, IT Technician I, shares how she got involved as a member and the skills that she has gained.

If you are interested in joining the Wonder Community, please visit wondercommunity.org. Remember, 60% of your paid membership is donated to a nonprofit of your choice!

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Explore the World of American Sign Language, Part 2

Explore the World of American Sign Language, Part 2

This workshop teaches American Sign Language (ASL) communication fundamentals through interactive exercises. Participants will learn fingerspelling, basic vocabulary, grammar, and conversational techniques while gaining a deeper appreciation for deaf culture.

Presented by Shenyiah Fuller, Shequetta Gravely, and Ruth Bieri-Ferguson.

Part 2 of 2

A Zoom link will be sent upon registration.

Register

Explore the World of American Sign Language, Part 1

Explore the World of American Sign Language, Part 1

This workshop teaches American Sign Language (ASL) communication fundamentals through interactive exercises. Participants will learn fingerspelling, basic vocabulary, grammar, and conversational techniques while gaining a deeper appreciation for deaf culture.

Presented by Shenyiah Fuller, Shequetta Gravely, and Ruth Bieri-Ferguson.

Part 1 of 2 

A Zoom link will be sent upon registration.

Register

Wonder Community – Cricut Open Lab 2

Wonder Community – Cricut Open Lab 2

Members will be able to use the Cricut for an Open Lab workshop.

Members will be responsible for bringing their own blanks (i.e., Cups, Glasses, and Shirts).  Heat presses for mugs and shirts will be available. Pens will be available as well for those seeking drawing based projects such as cards.

Various vinyl will be provided, including standard vinyl, heat transfer, and infusible ink; however, if members wish for a specific color or pattern, it is recommended that you bring your own as supplies will vary in color/pattern.

Hosted by Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator

Register

Wonder Community – Easter Meal Sides

Wonder Community – Easter Meal Sides

Join the Wonder Community and Megabytes as Chef John Clark teaches us how to make Easter meal sides! 

Sides will include:

Lemon Blueberry Scones

Asparagus, Brie & Prosciutto with Hollandaise Bundle

Spring Apple and Fennel Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette 

Buttermilk Lime Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue and Buttercream 

Cost for dinner is $20.

Registration and payment for dinner is due by 3.21.24

Limited to 15 Spots

Register

Wonder Community – Cricut Workshop: Cardmaking

Wonder Community – Cricut Workshop: Cardmaking

Members will learn how to create cards in partnership with New College Institute’s (NCI) Learning Is ForEver (L.I.F.E) program.

Presented by Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator

This workshop will held at NCI in Martinsville, VA.

Registration open through 3/19/2024

Register

Growing Impact Showcased in 2023 Annual Report

Growing Impact Showcased in 2023 Annual Report

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has published its 2023 annual report, which highlights the growing impact IALR and partners are making in Southern Virginia and beyond. In FY 23, IALR expanded its impact with the scaling of programs and the growth of the campus, technology and team.

“The last fiscal year was one of tremendous growth and expansion for our region. All the while, each of our five divisions upheld our mission of economic transformation in critical ways.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

View the Full Report

Just some of the new initiatives and programs launched, announced or expanded during FY 2023:

  • The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program continued scaling up toward its target of 800-1,000 annual graduates by 2025.
  • The Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program is expanding across the Commonwealth thanks to a $3.4 million grant from GO Virginia and public and private investments.
  • The inaugural Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East brought more than 220 participants from around the world to the IALR campus.
  • The Institute Conference Center hosted 27,600 guests at events and programs, ranging from multi-day conferences to executive business meetings to training seminars.
  • IALR opened and began operations in the Center for Manufacturing Advancement, which supports industry with a variety of services and houses the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.
  • Nearly 30 industrial sites across Southern Virginia received a higher certification from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, with 21 moving from Tier 2 to Tier 4 and an additional eight sites moving from Tier 2 to Tier 5, which denotes a shovel-ready graded pad site.
  • A new Public Health AmeriCorps program launched to expand public health capacity through education and outreach, including public health workshops.
  • IALR entered into 15 new non-disclosure agreements to partner with companies around the world by providing contract analytical and testing services.
  • Five new companies announced projects in Southern Virginia and four existing companies announced expansions. These projects total 545 new jobs and $335.7 million in capital investments.
  • In its ninth year, the Career ChoICE Youth Expo expanded to a second location at Hampden-Sydney College, allowing the event to reach additional students across more than a dozen Virginia localities.
  • IALR received a $497,890 grant from the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission for the ExTRA (Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship) program to grow state-registered apprenticeship in 15 Southern Virginia localities.
  • Megabytes café launched a new and improved menu.
IALR January 2024 Newsletter

IALR January 2024 Newsletter

READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER

The January 20224 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…

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Three-part Series on How to Use Artificial Intelligence for Business Coming to Dan River Region

Three-part Series on How to Use Artificial Intelligence for Business Coming to Dan River Region

SMART Seminars Designed Exclusively for Business Owners

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) are partnering through the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning to offer SMART Seminars. This three-part series is designed exclusively for business owners eager to revolutionize their marketing and social media strategies and tactics.

Participants can register for one, two, or three classes on February 21, 28, and March 6, 2024, to help unlock the limitless potential of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and leverage these tools for dynamic social media strategies.

“The classes are a direct result from requests of Chamber members in our annual membership survey,“ said Anne Moore-Sparks, president and CEO of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. “Listening to the needs of business and responding with high quality, in-demand programming is a top priority. We are fortunate to have IALR as a partner because of their expertise and reputation in providing exceptional training.”

Online Registration

Class Schedule

Part I – February 21, 2024

Topic: ‘AI Unveiled’: Delve into the fundamentals, demystify AI, and understand how ChatGPT operates. Gain foundational insights into integrating AI seamlessly into your social media repertoire. Embark on this transformative journey and revolutionize your small business’s social media prowess with the power of ChatGPT and AI.

Part II – February 28, 2024

Topic: ‘Crafting Connection’: Explore the art of crafting engaging content that resonates with your audience. Uncover techniques to create compelling and authentic interactions using ChatGPT, transforming your social media presence.

Part III – March 6, 2024

Topic: ‘Mastery & Innovation’: Elevate your expertise as we explore advanced AI strategies. Learn to innovate and adapt, utilizing ChatGPT to stay ahead in the ever-evolving social media landscape.

Brian Stanley, advanced learning program coordinator with IALR, will lead all classes. He serves as a program coordinator for the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning and the Dan River Year AmeriCorps Program. Stanley brings over seven years of experience in youth development and enrichment-based learning programs.

“This collaboration showcases the importance of lifelong learning and why businesses must continue their education to support long-term success,” stated Stanley.

Classes will be held at IALR located at 150 Slayton Avenue from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Space is limited to 30 participants per class. The cost to attend is $10 per class for Chamber members and $15 per class for non-members. Registration and payment are required to attend. Register for one, two, or all three classes at https://bit.ly/2024AIClasses.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce accelerates business growth by connecting its 560+ members organizations and 22,000 employee members to dynamic resources and networks. The Chamber’s number one goal is to help area businesses of all sizes to grow and prosper.

About the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation through 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 Danville and Martinsville. 

About IALR

Wonder Community – Cricut Open Lab

Wonder Community – Cricut Open Lab

Members will be able to use the Cricut for an Open Lab workshop.

Members will be responsible for bringing their own blanks (i.e., Cups, Glasses, and Shirts).  Heat presses for mugs and shirts will be available. Pens will be available as well for those seeking drawing based projects such as cards.

Various vinyl will be provided, including standard vinyl, heat transfer, and infusible ink; however, if members wish for a specific color or pattern, it is recommended that you bring your own as supplies will vary in color/pattern.

Hosted by Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator

Register