Volkswagen Chattanooga and the State of Tennessee have established of a $1 million program that will allow Hamilton County middle and high schools to apply for funds to create a science lab in their school.
Named the Volkswagen eLabs, the program will allow students to gain access to emergent technologies, including automated manufacturing equipment, 3D printers, robotics, programmable microcomputers and renewable energy kits and other science-related activities.
The program will result in no less than 15 laboratories and will be administered in partnership with the Public Education Foundation (PEF).
Schools will be required to identify a team of teachers committed to developing the knowledge and skills needed to take advantage of the laboratory opportunity. A school’s principal must demonstrate a personal commitment to the project, agree to engage in professional learning and provide release time to at least one teacher who will manage the lab.
The selection process will be competitive. Each school must also commit to raise a minimum of $5,000 annually in cash or contributed materials to ensure the lab is revitalized refreshed and materials are replaced.
Michael Stone, PEF’s director of innovative learning, will help schools equip their Volkswagen eLab and train the educators in the schools with a lab.
Source: Volkswagen Chattanooga