Aiken Technical College Foundation Awarded Grant from Community Foundation for the CSRA

The Community Foundation for the CSRA has awarded the Aiken Technical College (ATC) Foundation a $10,500 Community Grant. The grant will support the expansion of Aiken Technical College’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Room in the ATC Library.

“The Aiken Technical College Foundation and Aiken Technical College are thankful to the Community Foundation for the CSRA and The Masters Tournament for this grant award. The investment in STEAM education in Aiken County will have an impact on student learning and ultimately a well-trained workforce,” said ATC Foundation Director Dr. Beth LaClair.

The STEAM Room was created in 2016 as a makerspace to provide students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to explore STEAM activities outside of the classroom. This fall, the STEAM Rom moved to a larger space in the library to accommodate the growing interest.

New equipment for the expanded space will include virtual reality systems, makerspace table, 3D scanner, Snapmaker 3D printer and laser cutter, vinyl cutter, and other materials. STEAM Room technologies will offer learners the opportunity for collaboration with group projects while enhancing critical thinking and the ability to solve problems uniquely.

A media lab space is also a component of the STEAM Room expansion and will allow for faculty, staff, students to record and edit videos, lectures, and photos. A lightboard will be added for recording video lectures to provide online learners with more dynamic online instruction and improve student learning.

Katie Miller, ATC Library Director, shared that, "This grant will allow us to significantly upgrade the equipment available in the STEAM Room. I am excited for the opportunities this will give our students and the community.”

For more information about Aiken Technical College’s Library and operating hours, please visit atc.edu/Study/Library.