Bradley County Schools ushered in a new era with the opening of three new Volkswagen eLabs. Students can now discuss, design, build and create using state-of-the-art technology.

As you walk into the new eLab at Bradley Central High School, “innovation” and “inspiration” are among the keywords in the newly expanded STEM programs in Bradley County. 

“It’s not just about the pieces of equipment that you see; it’s about the people that invest in our students. And our teachers are fabulous,” Dr. Linda Cash, director of Bradley County Schools, said.

One of those teachers is Madisson Mantooth at Bradley Central. She has noticed an immediate change for the better among her STEM students. 

”It’s given all of our students the opportunity to bring meaning to their education, purpose to what they’re doing, and really enjoying being in the building,” Mantooth said.

Thanks to this partnership with Volkswagen Group of America and Public Education Forward, students can focus on solving current problems and bring new ideas to life.

”These students are already thinking about job skills and life skills that are going to put them in a place will be sitting in our seats one day,” Corey Limburg, principal at Ocoee Middle School, said.

The digital fabrication labs include technology once thought to be unattainable for public schools. Robotics, 3D printers, microcomputers and more. Each Volkswagen eLab is a FabLab, connecting students and teachers to a global network established at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT. The relationship with a giant of science and engineering is a major step for Bradley County.

11th grader Riley White said, “Cleveland is really expanding, and a lot of young people are coming into our school programs, and I think it’s going to be a good idea with us expanding in the next few years.”

His classmate Addison Pirkle added, “It’s a great opportunity for our school, and it makes our school look amazing that we were even picked for this. It’s such an honor for our campus, and I’m so proud of our school.”

They have every reason to be proud. In addition to the new VW eLabs at Bradley Central High and Ocoee Middle, another one is opening at Charleston STEAM Academy for elementary students. These will connect Bradley County students to a national network that includes 61 VW eLabs in Hamilton County.