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Local businesses and foundations fund STEM, robotics and workforce equipment for Martinsville schools
Summary
The MSD of Martinsville received multiple grants and donations — a Duke Energy Foundation workforce development grant (about $37,500), a Boston Scientific grant of $31,453.43, Education Foundation grants, and a $500 donation to cheer — to upgrade 3D printers, a CNC mill, welding fabrication table, and elementary robotics equipment.
The MSD of Martinsville announced several donations and grants aimed at expanding STEM, robotics and career-technical education across its K–12 schools.
Shannon Adams, the district STEM co-coordinator and assistant principal at Martinsville High School, said the district was awarded “essentially a workforce development grant through the Duke Energy Foundation” and described purchases that include higher-precision 3D printers, filament supplies, a 4-by-8 fabrication table for welding, handheld tungsten grinders to improve student safety, and a new CNC milling learning station aligned with computer-integrated manufacturing curriculum.
Adams said the Duke Energy-funded equipment, which she described as “industry level” and in some cases comparable to tools used by NASA and SpaceX, will support career pathways and dual-credit or certification opportunities through local partners. She estimated the Duke Energy grant at approximately $37,500 and said most of the funds have already been encumbered and equipment is arriving.
Separately, the board approved a Boston Scientific grant of $31,453.43 to support elementary robotics and high school 3D printing, and the Education Foundation grant recipients were approved during the meeting. The board also accepted a $500 donation from Sergeant Pepper’s Chicken to support Martinsville High School cheer.
Board members and district staff praised community businesses and vendors for helping the district secure industry-standard equipment and for vendor support on warranty and instruction. The district noted that some purchases align to state-recognized certifications and dual-credit pathways, including curriculum that could qualify students for credit through Ivy Tech.
District staff will manage installation, training and curriculum alignment. Specific timelines for classroom rollout and dual-credit articulation were not provided at the meeting and will be determined by the district and program instructors.
