Over its 10-year existence, more than 200 students have graduated from the Academy for Engineering and Technology – an engineering-focused, dual-enrollment program housed at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

“The Academy for Engineering and Technology (AET) is designed to introduce students to engineering as a possible career path,” says John Hatchett, Engineering Instructor for the program.

Driven by partnerships, the program prepares high school juniors and seniors for engineering careers and provides foundational skills – such as effective problem-solving, collaboration and creativity – that benefit students regardless of their career path.

“This program shows students what an engineering career is like and provides some related technical skills. But even more than generating future engineers, AET is here to provide transferable college credits and sought-after soft skills that will position students for success in any career in any industry.” – Dr. Julie Brown, IALR Vice President, Advanced Learning

A Unique Model 

The AET program is a two-year program available for high school juniors and seniors in Danville Public Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools. Students who apply and are accepted spend the first half of their school day at IALR taking math, English and engineering courses before returning to their base school for the afternoon.

During those two years, students earn 32 dual-enrollment credits from Danville Community College. Approximately 50 students (25 juniors and 25 seniors) participate in the program each year.

“We are proud to collaborate with Danville Public Schools, Pittsylvania County Schools and Danville Community College to offer this unique program that serves as a launching pad for students pursuing STEM careers. It’s our strong partnerships and collaborations that drive our impact with this program and in everything we do.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

The two-year engineering curriculum consists of courses that focus on theory and design. Students also participate in experiential learning activities, such as the Next generation Of Work (NOW) teamship program where student teams, with support from a coach, work to solve a problem that an area business is facing.

The AET program is part of IALR’s commitment to expanding the region’s STEM capacity through formal and informal education opportunities.

From AET to NASA

Shelita Hall, a 2016 graduate of George Washington High School, was part of the first cohort of students to participate in the Academy for Engineering and Technology at IALR.

That experience prepared her for everything that came next.

“AET set the foundation for where I am today,” she said.

Hall initially wanted to study chemical engineering with a particular focus on cosmetic engineering, but she ended up at Norfolk State University with a major in Chemistry focusing on materials engineering. While completing her bachelor’s degree, Hall found that she was more prepared for the rigors of college and challenging STEM courses due to the lessons she learned in AET.

“One of the biggest skills I took away from AET was not to be afraid to ask questions,” Hall said. “I really learned how to ask questions, to work with my peers, to study.”

What started as an internship with NASA has led to a career working with the Space Radiation team. Today, Hall is a Ph.D. student at Norfolk State University and an Engineering Trainee at the NASA Johnson Space Center.

“I would not be working for astronauts if it wasn’t for AET. AET laid the foundation for the next steps in my academic journey and career.” – Shelita Hall, 2016 AET Graduate, NASA Engineering Trainee

Transferable Skills for Any Career

While graduates have completed prestigious college programs and have gone on to do important engineering and STEM-focused work for organizations like NASA, not every student becomes an engineer.

And that’s part of the goal. College-level engineering programs experience extremely high attrition rates, but this program allows students to experience engineering before investing time and money into a college program.

Some students enter AET thinking that they want to be engineers but then realize during those two years that engineering is not for them. For others, it may be the inverse: they go through the program exclusively for the dual-enrollment credits but then realize that engineering is a career they want to pursue.

For others who enter without a clear direction, AET helps them discover their passion.

“My number one goal is to be an advisor. I want my students to figure out what’s best for them. When my students decide that engineering or STEM isn’t right for them, that’s still a success story for me and for the program. We helped them find the program and pathway that’s right for them.” – John Hatchett, AET Engineering Instructor

Every student who participates in the program learns critical, transferable skills through classroom and experiential learning. Some of those skills include communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving. One of IALR’s goals is to connect students to careers, and teaching in-demand skills that transfer across industries is a great way to do that.

“The AET program is making a real impact on students, helping them discover their career passions and goals and equipping them with the skills to succeed.” – Dana Silicki, Advanced Learning Program Manager, IALR

Parents in Danville Public Schools or Pittsylvania County Schools who are interested in the AET program for their students should speak to their school counselor and contact Dana Silicki, Advanced Learning Program Manager.