Cadence, Inc. Helps Fishburne STEM Initiative Grow
Fishburne Military School Cadets learn to create a Hydrogen Fuel Cells as part of the school’s STEM initiative
(Waynesboro, VA) — Fishburne Military School cadets received assistance from a local business this week in the form of a $1,000 grant from Cadence, Inc. to help fund the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs.
The goal Fishburne’s STEM Initiative is to prepare students for the modern workforce by providing them with the technical knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills they will need to be the successful businessmen, scientists, and engineers of tomorrow. Fishburne STEM instructors focus on teaching technological literacy in computer operation and coding, developing an understanding of computer aided design (CAD) software and 3-D printing, and encouraging knowledge of alternative energy and environmental science.
The funding will go toward educational equipment and technology to support work being done by Fishburne’s CPT Tom Galloway, who teaches
Cadets at Fishburne Military School explore JAVA and HTML
physics and calculus and oversees the Rocketry and Robotics Clubs, and CPT Roxanne Rodes, Director of Educational Technology and Chair of the Media Center. Needed materials include hydroponic towers (used to grow plants in a liquid nutrient mixture) and technological literacy equipment to help cadets learn modern programming and computer technology skills.
All of this learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom. Clubs like Cyber Patriots, Robotics, and Rocketry augment classroom learning with a variety of hands-on activities and challenges. Fishburne cadets also work with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to sample water from Waynesboro’s South River to determine the health of the river.
“We are grateful that Cadence has chosen to help us in an area as important as STEM education,” said FMS Superintendent COL Gary Morrison. “With their assistance, we are developing the leaders of tomorrow who are making an impact in our community today.”
Rocket Club Cadets learn to prepare their own equipment and monitor data downloads for future projects
Cadence, Inc. is based in Staunton, Virginia, and is a leading supplier of advanced products, technologies and services to medical, automotive, defense, and industrial companies worldwide. It has long been a supporter of the community through its Cadence Community Giving Program.
Fishburne continues to seek funding for its STEM Initiative. Any donation will go directly to educational equipment, technology and materials that will support projects and curriculum in our focus areas. If you would like to donate to our STEM Fund, please contact Mrs. Debbie Todd at dtodd@fishburne.org or 540-946-7700 x106 or visit www.fishburne.org/donate.
Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.
