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Powhatan presents STEM program growth, $200,000 in external funding and statewide recognition for coaching
Summary
District staff outlined consolidation of STEM instruction, growth in camps, nearly $200,000 in grants since 2018 and $72,000 from the Powhatan Education Foundation; staff praised a longtime STEM coach for program leadership.
Powhatan County School staff described steady growth and structural changes in the district’s STEM program, noting consolidation of lessons, expanded camps, curriculum alignment with science standards and nearly $200,000 in external grant funding since 2018.
Presenters said the program moved from school-by-school activities to a division-wide approach to improve consistency and alignment with Virginia’s science standards. Staff described sustained professional development, a hands-on materials program requiring substantial prep and transport, and expanded camps that are typically full. They credited elementary STEM coach Ms. Adcock for much of the program’s development and daily operations.
District presenters showed longitudinal SOL performance and said the division’s scores had risen since coaches began in 2015; they highlighted that Powhatan scored above the state average during the COVID period. The Powhatan Education Foundation has provided more than $72,000 in STEM grants, staff said; the district also reported nearly $200,000 in external funds overall to support teacher projects and equipment.
Staff said the program emphasizes student leadership (e.g., ambassadors who care for a Moon Tree received from a NASA mission seed program) and peer mentoring, and that the robotics program had expanded to senior and JV teams with plans to add elementary programming. The board applauded the presentation and staff said they will continue to seek grants and update STEM curriculum and web resources.
