Celebrate STEM West’s
10th Anniversary!
A Decade of Achievements
This year marks our 10th anniversary, often celebrated as the Diamond Year. Over the past ten years, STEM West has been a beacon of knowledge and creativity, fostering growth and opportunity in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
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A Personal Note From The President
It really is true that the older you get the faster time flies but it is also true that “time flies when you are having fun”! No one, especially me, could have predicted the future for STEM West on March 1st, 2016. With a gracious grant by Duke Energy Foundation of $100,000, STEM West was born and housed at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG).
Over the last 10 years, STEM West has been hosted at the WPCOG, the NC Center of Engineering Technologies (NCCET) of Appalachian State University, Catawba Valley Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, and Hickory City Schools. These hosts have been so gracious to allow me office and warehouse space. Catawba County Schools has also continued to allow the use of their warehouse for large deliveries (usually LEGOs). They cannot be thanked enough!
Although STEM West now has doubled to two part-time staff, the work can never be done alone. Our rural community is rich with partnerships with local STEM businesses, school districts, community colleges, universities, and other organizations who are willing to work together to provide a high-quality STEM education to EACH and EVERY STUDENT!
My heart is full and I am still having fun, so let’s see what the next 10 years holds!
Dr. Carol Moore
STEM West
President
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Works of art created by coding robotic Finches!
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Building the Pipeline:
How STEM West and Dr. Sharon Jones Are Expanding Computer Science
In a powerful demonstration of regional collaboration, STEM West has spearheaded a transformative partnership with Dr. Sharon Jones to bring cutting-edge computer science opportunities to the students of Western North Carolina. At the heart of this initiative are the Coding and Mobile App Development Grants, a state-funded program launched to empower middle and high schoolers to move beyond being mere consumers of technology and become its creators. Through this partnership, STEM West has helped local districts secure significant funding ranging from tens of thousands to record-setting regional totals to implement curriculum that addresses the 21st-century economy’s most pressing demands. Through partnering with STEM West, Alexander, Burke, Catawba, McDowell, and Yancey County school districts have received over $600,000 from NC DPI for these projects over the past five years.
Dr. Sharon Jones, a nationally recognized computer science expert and founder of The Dot Consulting and the Dottie Rose Foundation, has been the primary catalyst for this professional evolution. Her involvement has transcended traditional consulting; she has become a mainstay in the STEM West community, leading “Just In Time” training sessions that became a lifeline for educators transitioning to digital and virtual instruction. Dr. Jones is known for her infectious passion for making technology approachable, often reminding educators that the goal is to build a “legacy of influential change” by elevating the whole person. Her curriculum shifts the perception of computer science from a niche interest to a fundamental literacy, ensuring that students in rural and urban districts alike have the tools to build their own futures.
The impact of this collaboration is best felt in the classroom, where the grant funds have been utilized to purchase high-tech equipment, develop summer coding camps, and district-wide robotics competitions. By bridging the gap between state-level resources and local classroom needs, the partnership between STEM West and Dr. Jones has created a sustainable pipeline for innovation that continues to celebrate and elevate the unique genius of every student in the region. |
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Building a Legacy: A Decade of LEGO Innovation and Literacy in Western North Carolina
Throughout the history of STEM West, few initiatives have sparked as much joy and long term academic growth as the LEGO education grants. From the organization’s earliest days, these grants were envisioned not just as a way to provide toys, but as a sophisticated vehicle for delivering complex engineering concepts to young minds. By placing these colorful bricks into the hands of elementary and middle school students across the region, STEM West has fostered an environment where the abstract laws of physics and the rigor of the design process become tangible, playful, and deeply engaging.
The impact of these grants extends far beyond the construction of simple machines. Educators across Western North Carolina have utilized these resources to masterfully integrate literacy and reading into technical instruction. Students are often tasked with reading complex technical manuals and narrative-based challenges that require them to interpret a story before building a solution. Social media testimonials from local classrooms frequently highlight how students who previously struggled with reading comprehension find a new sense of purpose when the reward for finishing a text is the ability to program a robot or solve a structural engineering puzzle. This holistic approach ensures that literacy becomes the foundation upon which engineering success is built.
Perhaps the most enduring legacy of the LEGO grants is the cultivation of essential life skills.
Within the Lego Leagues and classroom workshops supported by STEM West, students learn that failure is merely a data point in the iterative process of engineering. They are forced to communicate, negotiate, and collaborate to reach a common goal, mirroring the teamwork required in the modern workforce. STEM West emphasizes that these young builders are developing the resilience and critical thinking skills necessary for any career path. As students troubleshoot a motorized sensor or adjust the center of gravity on a bridge model, they are practicing the very persistence that will define the next generation of North Carolina’s innovators.
Looking back over the life of the organization, the growth of these programs is a testament to
the power of community investment. What started as small classroom pilots has expanded into a regional movement that sees hundreds of students competing in high-energy robotics events and sharing their creations with local industry leaders. Through a variety of funders, over $1 million of materials, curriculum and training has been shared throughout the STEM West service area. These LEGO grants have proven that when you provide children with the right tools and a narrative-rich environment, they will not only build impressive structures—they will build the confidence and competence to navigate a technology-driven wo
rld.
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STEM West by the Numbers:
Counting Down 10 Wins Driving Our Region Forward
10. Clear Strategic Vision for the Future
STEM West maintains a forward-looking strategy focused on expanding partnerships, advancing access, integrating technology, and strengthening pathways from education to high-demand careers.
9. Support for School Excellence
The organization actively encourages and assists schools in achieving North Carolina STEM Schools of Distinction status, helping elevate the quality of STEM implementation across the region.
8. Leadership in STEM Advocacy
STEM West serves as a strong voice for high-quality STEM education, working with local and state leaders to align education with workforce needs.
7. Innovative Student Engagement Programs
Signature initiatives like STEM Trek and the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy give students authentic exposure to STEM careers and entrepreneurial skills.
6. Strong Focus on Rural and Underserved Communities
STEM West prioritizes equitable access, ensuring students in rural western North Carolina have meaningful opportunities to engage in STEM learning.
5. High-Quality Professional Development for Educators
Through EdCamp STEM West, project-based learning workshops, and curated training opportunities, the organization significantly strengthens teacher capacity.
4. Powerful Cross-Sector Partnerships
By connecting education, industry, government, and higher education, STEM West effectively bridges the gap between classroom learning and workforce demands.
3. Large-Scale Measurable Impact
Over 10 years, STEM West has supported almost 3,000 educators, impacted over almost 40,000 students, and engaged over 6,500 community members.
2. Average ROI
With an average ROI of 700%, STEM West demonstrates outstanding stewardship of grant funding and partner resources.
1. Strong Regional Growth and Momentum
Expanding from four to nine district partnerships across six counties, STEM West is rapidly increasing its reach and influence across western North Carolina.
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A Decade of Empowering Educators: The Unstoppable Legacy of EdCamp STEM West
For seven years, STEM West has revolutionized the concept of professional development through its signature un-conference known as EdCamp STEM West. While traditional teacher workshops often involve long hours of sitting and listening to a single speaker, EdCamp flips the script entirely. An EdCamp is a participant-driven meeting where the attendees determine the agenda. Teachers arrive in the morning and write topics they are passionate about or challenges they are facing on a blank board. These topics become the sessions for the day, led not by “experts” on a stage, but by the educators themselves sharing their collective wisdom from the front lines of the classroom.
The impact of this model over the last decade has been profound. By removing the hierarchy of typical training, EdCamp STEM West has fostered a culture of authentic collaboration across district lines. Social media feeds from the past ten years are filled with selfies of teachers holding new STEM tools and candid shots of intense whiteboard brainstorming sessions.
One of the most significant impacts has been the rapid dissemination of classroom-ready technology. When one teacher masters a new piece of equipment or finds a new resource. they host a session to show their peers exactly how to implement it the following Monday. This peer-to- peer mentorship has accelerated innovation in Western North Carolina schools faster than any top-down mandate ever could.
Beyond the technical skills, EdCamp STEM West has built a resilient community. The Rule of Two Feet, a core EdCamp tenet that encourages participants to move to another session if they are not finding value in the current one, has empowered teachers to take ownership of their own learning. This autonomy leads to higher morale and a sense of professional respect that is often missing in traditional professional learning. Teachers leave these events not just with a Google folder of notes, but with a network of colleagues they can call upon throughout the school year.
As we celebrate this vibrant event, the legacy is clear: hundreds of educators have been transformed from passive learners into active leaders. By investing in the genius of our local teachers, EdCamp STEM West has ensured that the students of our region are led by inspired, connected, and cutting-edge innovators. |
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Building a Statewide STEM Movement
Across North Carolina, the boundaries of the classroom are expanding through two major statewide collaborations: the NC Flight Crew and LEAP into Science. Together, these programs represent a powerful alliance between STEM West, the NC Center for Afterschool Programs, the NC SMT Center, and other regional ecosystems like STEM East and STEM SENC. By combining leadership development for youth with innovative science-literacy training for educators, these initiatives are ensuring that STEM is accessible to every child, from the mountains to the coast.
NC Flight Crew: Elevating Youth Voices
The NC Flight Crew is a prestigious statewide leadership program designed to transform middle and high school girls into ambassadors for STEM. As part of a national movement through the STEM Next Opportunity Fund, these Flight Crew members are not just learning STEM—they are leading it.
Impact and Stipends: Selected members receive a $1,025 stipend along with
comprehensive training in public speaking, social media advocacy, and leadership.
Community Giving: Each crew member demonstrates their skills by leading STEM
lessons for younger students in their home communities, serving as role models who
prove that STEM is for everyone.
A Growing Network: In the western region, STEM West has supported students as they attend professional conferences like the Synergy Conference, where they act as
ambassadors and network with state leaders, building a lifelong crew of peers and mentors.
LEAP into Science: Where Stories Meet Science
While the Flight Crew empowers students, LEAP into Science empowers the educators who guide them. Developed by The Franklin Institute, this program integrates children’s literature with open-ended science inquiry. It is the first truly statewide project undertaken by the NC STEM Ecosystem, with the State Library of NC and regional hubs like STEM West coordinating the effort.
Training and Tools: Over 100 educators and librarians across the STEM West region
alone have received specialized training and curriculum kits. These kits allow them to
host workshops that focus on the four core strategies: asking questions, encouraging scientific thinking, cultivating rich dialogue, and making connections.
Literacy Integration: By using stories to introduce concepts like light and shadow, and wind, LEAP into Science reaches children ages 3–10 in familiar settings like local libraries and museums.
Statewide Reach: This collaboration ensures that even the most rural communities have access to high-quality STEM materials. As educators commit to leading at least three community workshops, the ripple effect of these grants reaches thousands of families across North Carolina.
“Our hope is to reach every corner of the state with Leap into Science… ensuring young people have equitable access to STEM opportunities that prepare them for a world defined by science and technology.”— NC STEM Ecosystem |
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A Letter From STEM West Program Director
This role has deepened my belief that rural communities are not behind, but they are poised. The wisdom, resilience, and creativity across western North Carolina continue to shape my leadership and sharpen our mission.
As Program Director of STEM West, I find myself especially reflective as we mark this milestone year. Over the past year and a half, I have learned more than I ever imagined possible and most of that learning has come from the remarkable people who make this work matter.
Thank you to everyone who has mentored, challenged, encouraged, and supported me in this journey. I am better because of you, and STEM West is stronger because we lead together.
With gratitude,
Dr. Donna Heavner
STEM West
Program Director
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STEM Trek Celebrates a Decade of
Workforce Inspiration
Over the last decade, STEM Trek—a signature annual event of STEM West—has evolved from a local gathering into a regional powerhouse for workforce development and educational inspiration. Hosted as part of the North Carolina Science Festival, STEM Trek serves as a bridge between K-12 students and the thriving STEM industries of Western North Carolina. What began as a localized effort to introduce students to regional careers has seen massive growth in participation.
Attendance Milestones: By 2019, the event was attracting 400 students even in inclement weather. By STEM Trek 2025, the event reached a record-breaking scale, hosting over 2,000 middle and high school students across a two-day celebration at the Hickory Metro Convention Center.
Geographic Expansion: Initially serving a few neighboring districts, STEM Trek has impacted students from across the entire STEM West service region, including Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford counties. STEM Trek’s primary impact is moving STEM from textbooks to careers.
Industry Partnerships: The event consistently connects students with 40+ local businesses and organizations. Notable exhibitors have included global giants like Google, Corning, and Shurtape Technologies, alongside local treasures like the Catawba Science Center and the Greater Hickory International Council.
Hands-On Innovation: Students don’t just watch; they do. Activities have ranged from exploring Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) mobile trailers to interacting with FIRST Robotics teams and learning about high-performance computing and mechatronics. The last decade has seen the event gain significant backing, reflecting its value to the regional economy.
Google’s Impact: As a primary sponsor (notably for STEM Trek 2025), Google’s support has allowed the event to expand into a two-day format and incorporate a job fair element. This evolution helps 10th-grade students not only explore careers but also receive assistance with interviews and applications.
Community Alignment: STEM Trek is now a signature event of the NC Science Festival, ensuring it meets high standards of engagement and educational rigor.
The Bottom Line
For ten years, STEM Trek has proven that Western North Carolina is a hub of innovation. By
uniting schools, industry leaders, and community partners, the event has transformed the way students view their futures.
For more information on upcoming events or to become a partner, visit www.stemwest.org. |
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The Next 10 Years!
From its earliest days, STEM West was never just about science, technology, engineering, and math. It was about access. It was about rural students seeing themselves in high-demand careers. It was about teachers supported, businesses engaged, and communities aligned around opportunity. Through career awareness events, industry partnerships, educator training, and hands-on experiences like STEM Trek, STEM West has built bridges that once felt impossible to cross.
Now, on this 10th anniversary, we celebrate not just what STEM West has accomplished, but what it is becoming.
The next decade of STEM West will be defined by deeper partnerships and bolder vision. As workforce needs evolve in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and technology, STEM West will continue to anticipate the future by aligning K–12, higher education, and industry so that students graduate not only prepared, but confident and inspired. The work will expand beyond exposure to true immersion: internships that begin earlier, credentialing pathways that accelerate opportunity, and leadership development that empowers students to solve the challenges of their own communities.
In the years ahead, STEM West will strengthen its role as a regional convener. We will continue bringing together superintendents, college leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to ensure that rural innovation remains strong and competitive. Access will remain at the center, ensuring that first-generation students, students of poverty, and underrepresented learners see clear pathways into high-wage, high-skill careers without having to leave the mountains they call home unless they choose to.
Most importantly, STEM West’s future will be measured not just in programs, but in people. In the student who becomes the first engineer in her family. In the teacher who changes instruction because of an industry partnership. In the business leader who invests locally because they see the talent pipeline thriving.
Ten years in, STEM West stands as proof that when education and industry work together, regions transform.
The next ten years will not simply continue the mission; they will accelerate it.
Here’s to a future where every student in western North Carolina can see their potential, access opportunity, and lead the next generation of innovation.
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Students Can Be Scientists!
Foldscope Instruments and STEM West Partner for North Carolina Teachers
Imagine a durable, easy-to-use microscope that can magnify up to 140X with 2-micron resolution—and it’s made of paper! That’s the power of the Foldscope, and between September 2025 and January 2026, STEM West and Foldscope Instruments brought this amazing tool directly to science educators across North Carolina.
We partnered for several successful events, including workshops with NC BioNetwork and sessions during Foldscope Instruments’ Fast and Curious Tour. The result? Over 100 North Carolina teachers were trained and received over 6,000 Foldscopes for their classrooms!
This is more than just a number; it’s igniting a spark of student curiosity. Thousands of students are now using a genuine, high-quality science tool to make their own discoveries in the microscopic world. Foldscopes are affordable, durable enough for outdoor use, and give students the chance to lead hands-on investigations. This tool is helping students see themselves as real scientists in a way no textbook ever could!
Are you ready to spark this excitement in your classroom?
Join the Foldscope movement! This is an affordable, user-friendly tool that will change how your students engage with science.
To learn more about Foldscopes, visit www.foldscope.com or reach out to Holly Stuart, Education Specialist, at holly@foldscope.com.
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SAVE THE DATES 2026:
For questions about the event below contact:
Dr. Carol Moore at cmoore@stemwest.org
Dr. Donna Heavner at dheavner@stemwest.org
STEM Trek 2026 at Catawba Science Center
Saturday, April 18 10 AM — 2 PM
We are now recruiting local STEM organizations to be exhibitors for this event. Please click the link below if you would like to register.
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Next Chapter Begins-Call to Action
Ten years ago, STEM West was an idea.
Today, it’s a movement.
Tomorrow, it’s ours to shape.
Join us as we launch the next chapter…
where every student has access, every teacher has support, and every community in Western NC thrives through STEM.
Thank you for being our partner
on this journey!
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