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Photos from the Governor’s page on STEM Academy Grand Opening
Governor Bob McDonnell visited Central Virginia Community College today to watch a 2009 campaign promise come to fruition. The governor attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for XLR8 STEM Academy, Virginia’s 16th STEM academy. With the school’s opening, the number of STEM academies in the Commonwealth has now doubled from January 2010, fulfilling a promise made by then-candidate Bob McDonnell while on the trail four years ago. XLR8 will launch this coming academic year on the campus of Central Virginia Community College in the AREVA Technology Center, which will provide students with access to lab equipment and classroom space. XLR8 has been a joint effort by the Region 2000 Technology Council, Future Focus Foundation and Workforce Investment Board; Central Virginia Community College; the school divisions of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell and Lynchburg; and area business partners, including AMTI, AREVA, The Babcock and Wilcox Company, Centra, Delta Star and Wells Fargo. XLR8 compliments current regional K-12 STEM activities and workforce development initiatives. The goal of this institution is to help close the gap between education and industry and further the economic vitality of this region.
The STEM Academy curriculum will offer students an opportunity to learn in an innovative, engaging classroom where students will develop critical thinking skills through hands-on, project-based learning. STEM Academy students will receive dual enrollment credits for all courses; allowing them the option to work toward a college degree. Additionally, the STEM Academy will offer transfer possibilities through articulation agreements with local colleges and universities for students wishing to continue their education. STEM Academy students will also be able to earn industry certifications, allowing for job readiness upon program completion.
Speaking about today’s ribbon cutting, Governor McDonnell remarked, “Making sure Virginia’s students have access to the best education possible is the single most important thing we can do to ensure their success in the future. In today’s highly technical global economy, careers in science, technology, engineering and math are on the rise. In order for our students to be successful and fill rapidly expanding technical jobs, we must ensure mastery of the STEM subjects. Over the last three years, we have seen a doubling of STEM academies in the Commonwealth. Today, I am pleased to join XLR8, Central Virginia Community College and AREVA to cut the ribbon and officially open the Commonwealth’s 16th STEM academy. STEM academies are partnerships created between K-12 schools and our colleges which provide our students with new opportunities through the use of state of the art labs, access to instructors at the college level, and the ability to earn dual course credit.”
During his campaign, Governor McDonnell made a promise to double the number of STEM academies in Virginia. Today’s ribbon cutting marks the 16th STEM academy to open in the Commonwealth, with six additional academies subsequently approved by the Board of Education.
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