Students at Riverbend County High School are now exploring cutting-edge technology thanks to the arrival of new equipment designed to boost STEM learning.
The high school in Oak Ridge and the Riverbend Career Center in Mapleton have recently received and installed state-of-the-art 3D printers, robotics kits, and additional high-tech tools.
This initiative is part of a new program aimed at strengthening education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—collectively known as STEM—across the county.
The program, named IGNITE—Inspiring Growth, Navigating Innovation, Guiding Hands, Integrating Technology, Empowering—was developed by FuturePath Solutions, a company headquartered in Virginia.
FuturePath Solutions is led by retired Army Gen. Michael “Mick” Harrison, an Oak Ridge native.
“We’re now established at the high school, which is the main CTE site for Riverbend County, and we’ve also extended our reach to Oakdale Academy in Oakdale,” Harrison said. “We’ve provided new equipment there as well.
“The bulk of the resources are here at the CTE center—3D printers, laser cutters, and a full suite of tools for building robotics and drones.”
The Riverbend County program is funded by a $300,000 grant from the Southern Regional Development Council. The IGNITE program was initially piloted in Green Valley County, Virginia, three years ago.
