Administration and staff at Halifax County Middle School and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) proudly announce a partnership to support Science, Engineering, Technology, and Math (STEM) opportunities for students and teachers. The partnership will yield several STEM-focused initiatives in the coming year. HCMS Principal Faye Bruce stated, "We are elated about this partnership. It will afford our students the opportunity to develop 21st Century skills by participating in this initiative."

The first initiative is the "Blast into Engineering" workshop for all sixth graders on Oct.29th. Students will come to the SVHEC for demonstrations and hands-on activities focused on the field of engineering. Engineering professionals will meet with groups of students to share their experiences, and discuss career opportunities available for engineers in southern Virginia.

"We are pleased to be in partnership with Mrs. Bruce, and the Halifax County Middle School, to offer some great opportunities to teachers and students," said Amy Cole, SVHEC Director of Programs & Partner Relations. "It's important to reach the middle school students at this age because they are generally open to hearing about career opportunities, and very shortly they will begin making course selections based on career aspirations. Mrs. Bruce has appointed two wonderfully innovative teachers to work with us on these projects, LaTonya Sadler and Reagan Priest, and we're looking forward to great things coming out of this partnership," she continued.

The "Blast into Engineering" Workshop will be followed on Oct.30th by a full day of NASA-sponsored professional development for guidance counselors in Region 8 (Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Pittsylvania, and Prince Edward Counties). Programming will focus on providing counselors with resources and tools for advising students for successful careers in engineering. Because of the HCMS-SVHEC partnership, Halifax County will have the opportunity to send all of their guidance counselors for this special training.

Later this fall, the SVHEC will launch the SoVA Math initiative to increase the number of certified secondary math teachers in the southern Virginia. SVHEC partner, Averett University will offer all of the courses needed for teachers to earn the secondary math certification. Current math teachers, and those teaching related areas who would like to become certified math instructors, will be eligible for participation. Classes will be taught at the SVHEC and geared towards working adults. For more information about the Blast into Engineering Workshop or the SoVA Math Initiative contact Vicky Matthews at 434-572-5566, toll free 1-800-283-0098 ext 5566 or email vickymatthews@svhec.org.

from SVHED.org