The purpose of this grant is to provide funding to Duplin County Schools to install STEM learning centers in all of their 7 middle schools over a three-year period. The STEM learning centers will be designed to provide “real world relevancy and engaging classroom experiences for students prior to entering ninth grade”. The overall intention of the project is to use the STEM centers as orientation and skill building foundations that will help to create a pipeline for students to flow from middle school to high school to post-secondary education and arrive in the local workforce as skilled professionals. Project implementation involves transforming classrooms by equipping the STEM centers with standards based learning modules to simulate a workplace environment. Golden LEAF funds will be used for equipment and installation, and professional development.
