From left, Alleghany High School Principal Derek Cantrell, Dr. Leo Mulcahy, Randy Tucker and Covington Middle School teacher Katie Hinkle participate in a STEM Next Door event at the Alleghany Highlands Industrial Heritage and Discovery Center in Covington on June 29.

Hands-On STEM Learning Partnerships Highlighted    Covington, VA (Juloy 6, 2026) - Community leaders, educators and local partners gathered at the Alleghany Highlands Industrial Heritage and Discovery Center in Covington on June 29 to highlight hands-on STEM learning programs in Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, including STEM Next Door, which launched at Covington Middle School in fall 2025. The event brought together educators and community partners from across the region. Covington City Manager Allen Dressler and Alleghany Foundation Executive Director Mary Fant Donnan opened the program. Cindy Ramboyong, lead project manager with the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation, shared results from the 2025-2026 STEM Next Door program, including a hydroponics partnership with Wiley’s Garden Center that involved 654 Covington Middle School science students. Support also came from Ingevity and the City of Covington. Guests observed students participating in after-school STEM activities at the Discovery Center, including Arduino programming, 3D printing and computer-aided design, as well as engineering and construction challenges. Organizers said additional enrichment opportunities are planned. Teachers and school leaders were recognized for partnerships with Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation, local industry, and advisory groups aimed at connecting classroom learning to workforce needs. STEM Next Door gives Covington Middle School students regular opportunities to take part in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities tied to agriculture. The program is designed to build curiosity, confidence and problem-solving skills through real-world learning. The program is coordinated in partnership with the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation, a nonprofit affiliated with Virginia Tech that supports education, research and workforce development by connecting schools, industry and applied learning programs. The organization works with Alleghany Highlands Public Schools to support STEM programming at Covington Middle School. The City of Covington helped initiate the partnership. Thanks to Wiley’s Garden Center’s proximity to Covington Middle School, students are able to walk across the street to participate in hands-on learning experiences. The program also aims to spark interest in agriculture and science and introduce students to potential careers in agriculture, farming and technology. CMS students explored plant science, horticulture, and hydroponics during the past school year, with the curriculum designed to expand over time with more advanced topics and skills. “I was impressed to see community leaders and partners not just hearing about the program, but actively taking part in the same hands-on learning experience our students experience,” said School Board Chair Jon Lanford, who participated in the event. “It really shows the value of this kind of real-world, engaging education.” “We are excited to bring together community leaders to share what students are experiencing and learning,” said Dr. Hannah Scherer, associate professor and extension specialist with Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education and partner with Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation. “Their support helps us keep growing these opportunities for students.” During the visit, guests took part in activities, saw student projects and discussed future collaboration, including the upcoming Capstone Project planned for the 2026-2027 school year at Alleghany High School. At AHS, the Capstone Project is a hands-on learning experience students complete in their final years. As part of Career and Technical Education and advanced courses, students choose a career area such as agriculture, engineering, culinary arts, or digital media and complete a related project. The project typically ends with a presentation or public showcase and connects classroom learning to real-world skills and future careers.  The City of Covington now owns the Discovery Center and plans to continue using it as a hub for hands-on learning, STEM education and community programs in partnership with schools, colleges and industry. Recent STEM opportunities also included a free three-day summer camp held June 30-July 2 through a partnership between Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation and North Carolina State University’s Department of Paper Science and Engineering. The program, called Earth Wise: Resources for the Future, served students in grades 8-12 and focused on hands-on learning in papermaking, along with egg-drop challenges and lessons on water and wastewater treatment. The June 29 Discovery Center event brought together students, educators and community partners to highlight how hands-on learning is expanding across Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. AHPS’ goal is to continue building opportunities that connect students to real-world skills, local industries and future careers.  This work is emphasized in the division’s strategic plan, which emphasizes student engagement and helping students become “future ready.”

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