The Rockbridge Innovation Center has opened and is now completely functional within Rockbridge County.
It provides career and technical education, known as CTE, programs for Rockbridge County High School students to acquire practical life skills.
Ella Cate Brown, who is studying engineering, expressed her gratitude for the practical learning experiences available.
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It’s truly awesome to engage with something distinct where you can actively participate rather than merely being in a classroom watching videos or jotting down notes. This way, you get to utilize your hands, tackle issues, and acquire fresh knowledge.
Paige Owens, who leads career and technical education as well as technology, mentioned that the refurbishments began in July 2023.
Having opened their doors in January of this year, they currently offer over a hundred students access to 16 different programs such as nursing, automotive repair, engineering, and cooking arts.
He mentioned that their programs position these children for success.
If they decide to enter the workforce directly or continue with higher education for additional training, they are prepared either way after graduating from high school, Owens stated.
He mentioned that participation has reached its peak for their students.
“They have been incredibly interactive and engaged. They’ve really appreciated the new innovation center and having access to the facilities we’ve provided,” Owens stated.
Tate Jarvis has spent more than twenty years teaching in Rockbridge County.
He mentioned that he feels genuinely delighted about being in a new environment.
“I’m thrilled about entering this wonderful new facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, furniture, and tools because both teachers and students desire such an environment,” Jarvis stated.
Everyone concurs that this center will furnish the means to construct a brighter tomorrow.
“It certainly offers practical real-world experiences, particularly in fields such as engineering, which are not commonly encountered in typical high school courses,” Brown stated.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the center is scheduled for June.
Owens expresses their enthusiasm about utilizing this space for an entire year starting in autumn.
They aim to expand existing initiatives and introduce additional programs in the coming years.
“We definitely intend to keep expanding our offerings. In fall 2025, we will introduce a firefighter training program alongside our current EMT course. Additionally, we aim to incorporate further healthcare and medical science courses and broaden our agricultural studies,” Owens stated.
