K-12 Initiatives
Virginia Tech K-12 Initiatives
We believe computer science and STEM education are for all!
In the City of Alexandria and beyond, Virginia Tech is committed to inspiring, motivating, and preparing K-12 students for technology careers. We believe that starting in elementary school, all children should have access to computer science and STEM content and skills needed to thrive in the global society. Through cross sector partnerships, we work to transform K-12 education.
Virginia Tech is committed to:
- Making computer science and STEM accessible in K-12 learning environments.
- Building new pathways for students to pursue their postsecondary goals.
- Collaborating with innovators to prepare more K-12 teachers, administrators, students, and families for a digital world.
Goals
- Inspire and prepare the next generation of problem solvers with computing and STEM pathway experiences for the future of work.
- Partner with K-12 teachers to transform classroom instruction with innovative, research-based approaches.
- Convene stakeholders annually to create and update a roadmap to innovation and tech talent in K-12 and beyond.
- Evaluate the impact of innovative programs, partnerships, and policy work.
K-12 STEM and Computing Events for 2025-2026
Virginia Tech has an exciting line-up of events scheduled for 2025-2026 aimed at supporting STEM education and computing in the D.C. Area.
Use our registration form to volunteer or support any of the events as an individual, a business or a community organization!
2025 SUMMER PROGRAMMING
- Engineer a Robot Limb! (free)
June 30 - July 2 (8:30am - 12:30pm / 1:30 - 5:00pm)
- Science of Flight
July 8 - July 11 (8:30am - 12:30pm / 1:30 - 5:00pm) - Data Detectives: Explore Tech in Action
July 28 - August 1 (8:30am - 12:30pm)
- AI and Robots
June 23 - June 27 (8:30am - 4:00pm)
- Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action
July 14 - July 18 (8:30am - 4:00pm) - Explore the Future Through Data and Sensor Technology
July 28 - August 1 (1:30 - 5:00pm)
- Engineering the Future with Data and Sensor Technology
July 14 - June 18 (8:30am - 4:00pm)
- Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action
July 21 - July 25 (8:30am - 4:00pm)
Meeting Location
- Virginia Tech Academic Building One
3625 Potomac Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
U.S. Drone Soccer program
Participating Schools
- George Washington Middle School
- Francis C. Hammond Middle School
- Jefferson Houston K-8 IB School
- Patrick Henry K-8 School
Dates
- June 23 - June 27 (8:30am - 12:30pm / 1:30 - 4:30pm)
- Elementary Drone Soccer
July 8 - July 11 (8:30am - 12:30pm)
July 14 - July 18 (TBA)
Please note that each program takes place on Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
Fall 2025
- October 4
- October 18
- October 31
- November 14
- December 6
- December 13
- December 14
Spring 2026
- January 10
- January 24
- February 7
- February 21
- March 7
Program Meeting Location
- Virginia Tech Academic Building One
3625 Potomac Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
Check out the highlights of last year's regional competition below.
K-12 STEM and Computer science teacher professional development
Virginia Tech is offering a Teacher Professional Development Program with the goal of expanding STEM and computing knowledge and teaching practices among elementary and middle school teachers. The program is facilitated in partnership with the Alexandria City Public Schools and supported by a $250,000 educational grant from Amazon.
Building partnerships for impact
- STEM Education Takes Flight
- Innovation Campus launches drone soccer program
- The SCRIPT: Strategic CSFORALL Planning Tool for School Districts (SCRIPT) Facilitator
- Innovation Campus and Boeing Host STEM Career Tour
- Innovation Campus Partners with schools for professional Development
- Virginia Tech host the First STEM and College Fair in Alexandria VA
- Alexandria City middle schoolers become NASA engineers during Project Red Rover
- Robotics program puts real-world STEM in the hands of Alexandria middle schooler
- Amazon grant Supports Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Teacher Professional Development Program
- Summer Program delivers fun STEM Education at Virginia Tech
- Alexandria Teachers Participate in Innovation Campus Coding workshop
For additional information on Virginia Tech's K-12 initiatives, contact Dr. Pamela O. Gilchrist (pamelag@vt.edu) Director, K-12 Education.
Become a Sustaining Friend of the Virginia Tech K-12 Fund.
Join us in unpacking the wonder of STEM and computing through innovative programs, partnerships, and policy efforts. Support our fund with an online gift here.
K-12 Newletter
Subscribe to receive information on upcoming science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science (STEM+C) events for students and families