So many oohs and ahhs are coming from the Bartow County College and Career Academy and it has everything to do with the brand-new STEM Innovation Center and Esports Arena! Community members are coming in droves to witness the transformation of the old Cass High School auditorium and nearby sports equipment room into a revolutionary hub for educational excellence and innovation!
“After two years of planning and working with PowerUpEDU, our vision is finally becoming a reality,” said Paula Camp, director of Advanced Learning, STEM, and Gifted Programs. “These truly innovative spaces will help equip students on all grade levels with the knowledge and skills necessary to set themselves apart from their peers nationwide.”
In the STEM Innovation Center, you will find all the tools and resources students need to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, such as an interactive learning
floor, ClassVR headsets, drones, portable science labs, 3D printers, multiple different robots, and more.
“The state-of-the-art equipment is amazing, but now it’s all about how we leverage the new technology for learning,” said Bartow County School System Superintendent Clint Terza. “I am excited to see our educators create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that prepares our students for future success. They are unlocking the power of possibilities with our students in an evolving technological landscape.”
Just a few steps away from the STEM Innovation Center, you will find yourself in a 7,000-square-foot Esports Arena where the lights, sounds, technology, and opportunities grab your attention. You cannot miss the 220-inch video wall! Not only will our students be competing internationally in GHSA-sanctioned events, but they will also get hands-on experience and opportunities they would not find anywhere else, like coding and game development, shoutcasting, lighting, and sound design.
“The early exposure to these STEM careers is unrivaled,” said Camp. “Utilizing our facilities, our students will surely have an advantage in the 21st century workforce. The video game industry is larger than the movie and music industries combined! Additionally, AR/VR developers are in high demand within the software engineering industries, and there will be more than 100,000 new drone industry jobs by next year! Our students will be able to meet the demands of this evolving tech landscape.”
The STEM Innovation Center and Esports Arena will be fully operational and ready for students next month. Bartow County middle and high schools already have Esports teams in place.