Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Careers Gotech topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School board approves application to bring GoTech Career Connections lab to Powhatan Middle School
Summary
Board members approved advancing a grant application to establish a GoTech Career Connections lab at Powhatan Middle School. The program would add hands‑on STEM and career pathway modules for middle schoolers; the grant typically covers equipment (estimated ~$170,000 per module) and requires a 1:1 or 1:2 match and an $8,000 fee for the first two
Powhatan County School Board members voted to pursue a GoTech Career Connections grant to create a hands‑on STEM/career‑pathways lab at Powhatan Middle School.
The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research presented the program, which provides middle‑school career modules such as 3‑D printing, basic manufacturing simulation, welding simulators and other workforce‑aligned technologies. "GoTech has been about creating career connections labs in middle schools," Lauren Sodel of CCAM told the board.
Why it matters: the lab is designed to introduce students to high‑demand technical careers early, help them test interests and arrive at high‑school pathway choices better informed. Presenters said similar labs have been installed across the region and state; program organizers estimate a typical lab kit and equipment package costs in the range of $170,000 per module but noted the grant often covers equipment and that match contributions can be provided in‑kind (staff time, existing equipment) or by community partners.
Key details presented to the board - Cost and match: presenters said a typical module costs roughly $170,000 and that Go Virginia grants historically required a 1:1 or 1:2 regional match; the match can include in‑kind contributions such as existing equipment or staff salary. The presenters noted a required program fee of $8,000 for the first two years that the division expected to cover from instructional budgets or partner contributions. - Timeline: presenters said a final grant approval would likely occur in mid‑2026 and, if funded, the lab could be operational for the 2026–27 school year; training for teachers and preparatory work would happen after award. - Instructional model: the lab would be structured as middle‑school coursework (exploratory / elective). Presenters and staff said they expect the program to be offered as an elective pathway in which students rotate through modules; multiple sections could run to expand capacity. Estimated section sizes discussed for a lab were roughly 20–25 students per class.
Board action: A board member moved to advance the grant application; another member seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.
Quotes from presenters and staff: "We reach down to the middle school level, providing career connections labs, so that students ... get those opportunities, as early as in middle school, with hands‑on learning opportunities," Lauren Sodel said. CCAM’s training coordinator added that most initial supplies and equipment are provided in the grant package; long‑term maintenance would be the school division’s responsibility.
Next steps: staff will continue to develop the application, identify possible modules that match local employer demand, seek in‑kind match opportunities and community partners, and return to the board with final budget and implementation details before any acceptance of funds.
