From left: Marty Wood, Covington Middle School assistant principal; Allen Dressler, Covington city manager; Dr. Brett Milliken and Dr. Hannah Scherer of Virginia Tech; Jimmy Hogendobler, co-owner of Wiley’s Garden Center; and VT grad student Kayla Harris meet to plan a new hands-on STEM-agriculture program for Covington Middle School students launching this fall. (AHPS Photo)

STEM-Ag Taking Root at CMS through Va. Tech Partnership Covington, VA (June 26, 2025) - An exciting new learning opportunity is taking root for students in the Alleghany Highlands. Alleghany Highlands Public Schools (AHPS) is working with Virginia Tech to launch a hands-on STEM-agriculture program for students at Covington Middle School (CMS). As part of a public-private partnership, the program will be based at Wiley’s Garden Center, conveniently located just across the street from the school. The City of Covington initiated the opportunity.   STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, four key areas that equip students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This new program blends those subjects with agriculture, offering real-world learning that students can see, touch, and grow. Starting this fall, CMS students will begin exploring the fundamentals of plant science, horticulture, and hydroponics. The curriculum is designed to grow over time, gradually introducing more advanced topics to help students deepen their knowledge and develop practical skills. Marty Wood, a member of the CMS administrative team, is leading the initiative as the school division’s project champion. “Our teachers are 100 percent behind this. There are lots of ideas involved in this, and we want this learning program to get off to the right start,” said Wood, an assistant principal at CMS and a former science teacher. “Not too fast, we’re going to keep it simple at first. Let’s get this thing going in the right way.” In July, CMS science teachers and an agriculture teacher will travel to Virginia Tech for training and professional development. The preparation will help ensure a smooth rollout in August and give teachers the confidence to introduce the new curriculum effectively. While teachers focus on a strong launch, local leaders are already looking ahead to the broader potential of the program. “This is an exciting day in the Alleghany Highlands,” said Covington City Manager Allen Dressler. “This idea started when I spoke to the City Council about collaborating with Virginia Tech and VT-ARC to create a program like this for our schools. It’s incredibly rewarding to see it moving forward.”   VT-ARC is an applied research branch of Virginia Tech. Dressler said the CMS project is a strong example of how collaboration among public schools, local government, private businesses, and higher education can significantly benefit students in the Highlands. Earlier in June, project leaders gathered at Wiley’s Garden Center to discuss next steps and explore how the program will take shape over the coming months. Attendees included Dressler, Wood, Dr. Brett Milliken, Professor of Agriculture and Extension Education at Virginia Tech; Dr. Hannah Scherer, Associate Professor of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education at Virginia Tech; Jimmy Hogendobler, co-owner of Wiley’s Garden Center; and Kayla Harris, a Virginia Tech graduate student in Agriculture and Extension Education. Scherer emphasized the importance of making STEM education come alive for students through hands-on experiences. “We’re working on new lessons and activities in horticulture and hydroponics,” she said. “We want students to be excited about how STEM connects to the world around them.” Reflecting on the opportunity, Dawn Sales, an eighth grade science teacher at CMS, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. "We are very appreciative to have the chance to offer this exciting new curriculum to our students,” she said. “This partnership is a great opportunity for teachers and students to collaborate with a local business, bringing real-world agricultural practices into the classroom and cultivating the next generation of innovators in our community." Thanks to Wiley’s Garden Center’s close proximity, CMS students will be able to walk across the street to take part in this unique learning experience. The program aims to spark student interest in agriculture and science, while also introducing them to potential careers in agriculture, farming, and technology. “We are excited about this,” Dressler said. “I know our kids will be excited when they see some of the technology involved in growing green plants.” Wood agreed, noting that the benefits go beyond science. “Student engagement is the bottom line,” he said. “The technology that will be introduced over time is just an added bonus. Whenever kids can use their hands to make things, build things, and watch things grow, that’s a bonus.” About Covington Middle School: Covington Middle School serves students in grades 6–8 and is part of the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools division. AHPS was formed in July 2022 through the consolidation of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. The division currently educates approximately 2,700 students and is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington. To stay connected, follow AHPS on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and on Instagram at @ahpublicschools. For more information, visit www.ahps.k12.va.us.

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