Published February 7, 2024
Additional Hands-On Heroes articles:
Middle school students in the Halifax
County district in North Carolina are brimming
with excitement. The opening of two new
Pitsco STEM Expeditions® labs at each of the
county’s schools is proving to be a big hit,
with pupils keen to try their hand at a range
of hands-on, career-focused activities.
It’s music to the ears of Dr. LaVonne McClain,
the executive director of secondary education
and CTE in Halifax County Schools. “It does
my heart good to see students excited about
learning [. . . and] getting the opportunity to have
hands-on experience and to problem-solve.”
The labs are crucial to Halifax County’s Career
and Technical Education programs, which give
students the chance to gain the academic
and technical skills, knowledge, and training
needed to succeed in their future careers.
But they haven’t always been a hub of
excitement or curiosity. “Last year, when you
walked into a middle school lab, it was a
traditional computer lab,” Dr. McClain recalls.
“You had your computers lined up along
the side and students just on programs for
keyboarding. Simple coding, but not anything
where they were actually delving into hands on.”
PROMOTING COLLABORATION
However, after receiving a CTE
monetization grant, Dr. McClain and her
team took the opportunity to renovate and
upgrade the dated labs in favor of something
more engaging. After talking with Pitsco
Education Advisor Mary Metters (or the “Pitsco
guru” as Dr. McClain likes to call her), they
made the leap to outfit their schools with
Pitsco Expeditions solutions, which include
everything from digitally delivered curriculum
and learning management system to all the
hands-on resources needed to complete
the activities, along with furniture to
accommodate 24 students in each classroom.
It’s a decision that’s clearly paid off. Thanks
to the spacious design and welcoming
environment, Dr. McClain says students can now
collaborate more easily. “The principal at Enfield
Middle told me [. . .] the kids were so excited
when putting together circuits” and they were
actually having “academic discourse.” Mr. Derrick
Lively, Enfield Middle STEAM Academy CTE
teacher, added, “Furthermore, as a middle grades
CTE teacher, I am thrilled to witness the positive
impact of Pitsco STEM Expeditions labs on our
students. The lab is a lively learning space where
students are collaborating and problem-solving.
I look forward to seeing how these experiences
shape their academic and future career paths.”
It’s through this kind of collaborative learning
that Halifax County Schools have been able
to help students acquire valuable skills such
as adaptability, critical thinking, empathy, and
communication at an early age. Whatever
their chosen career path, Dr. McClain believes
teaching these skills is essential to building a
robust workforce that meets the needs of local
employers. And, of course, “the kids are having
a blast in the classroom” too.
For other schools that might be considering
Pitsco’s solutions, Dr. McClain has some words
of reassurance. She says the whole process –
from ordering through to installation – was
“seamless” and pain free. “It happened over the
summer, which was perfect. The Pitsco team
came in [and] they were friendly, quick, and
efficient with all the setup.” The professional
development side of the project was also a
smooth and positive experience. During their
training, teachers were able to fully engage
with Pitsco facilitators, ask their questions, and
really delve into the program.
THE BIG PICTURE
Although the Pitsco Expeditions
labs are a relatively new addition to
the region’s middle schools, Dr. McClain
is already seeing their potential. She’s
hoping the new labs will help her team to
secure their next round of CTE funding, while
enabling parents to appreciate the true
value of technical education – both in the
classroom and beyond. “I’m also hoping
it takes some of the guesswork out of
my eighth graders as they transition to
the high schools.” Lively adds, “Our goal
extends beyond the classroom – we strive
to prepare our future workforce that will have
a lasting impact on our community. In the end,
it’s not only about acquiring a diploma but
also gaining the necessary credentials that will
empower our students to thrive in the ever-evolving
global landscape.”
But Dr. McClain’s ambition doesn’t stop
there. Currently, around 50 percent of Halifax
County residents either
don’t have a diploma
or a GED – stats
that Dr. McClain is
looking to change.
“Ultimately, my goal
is for our students
to graduate not only
with their diploma
but also with a
certification from
Halifax Community
College,” she says.
“We’re building global citizens, but we’re also
building our local economy and a stronger
workforce that will have a greater impact on
our community.”
Read all articles in our full publication, Hands-On Heroes: CTE Stories of Innovation and Impact.