This grant provided funding to Lenoir County Public Schools to complete stage one of the regional education and workforce development progression model, established by the Eastern North Carolina Employers & Superintendents Council. The project was anticipated to establish STEM centers in all Lenoir County middle schools leading to up to 95% of the middle school students completing STEM courses aligned with career pathways programs offered at area high schools and Lenoir Community College and with regional employment opportunities. The project was also expected to establish formal partnerships with area employers for module selection, mentorships, and long-term instructional planning support that would lead to employment. Golden LEAF funds were to convert classroom environments to STEM learning labs, establish credit-bearing STEM courses, and develop cross-curricular professional development for the teachers that was expected to facilitate relevant, experiential course work.
