About
Serving the Greater Washington, D.C. , Area through STEM education
Virginia Tech advances opportunity, innovation, and workforce readiness through community-engaged STEM education and career-connected learning.
Our Mission
Virginia Tech’s presence in the greater Washington, D.C. area reflects our commitment as a public, land‑grant university to serve communities where people live, learn, and work.
Through K-12 STEM education and workforce development programs, Virginia Tech partners with schools, educators, parents, industry, government, and community organizations to expand access to opportunities, strengthen learning systems, and prepare students for the future.
Our offerings include early STEM exposure, educator support, college, career readiness, and work‑based learning, creating connected pathways that support students, families, and communities across the region.
Virginia Tech is committed to being of service — applying research, expertise, and partnerships to address real‑world needs.
In the greater D.C. area, that service takes shape through:
- Expanding access to STEM and computer science education for K‑12 learners
- Supporting educators with research‑based tools and professional learning
- Connecting learning to college and careers through hands‑on, applied experiences
- Partnering across sectors to strengthen the region’s talent ecosystem
This work ensures that innovation, education, and opportunity extend beyond campus walls and into the communities we serve.
Our Impact in the Region
4,500+
K‑12 students served across elementary, middle, and high school through STEM and computing programs
170
Educators trained, 125 additional K-8 educators in STEM & CS professional development
10
School districts engaged in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
150+
Executives, educators, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders partnered
87%
of parents say their child learned skills that will help in science class
These programs prioritize access for all learners and serve all learners across the region.
Community & Partnerships
Virginia Tech’s K-12 STEM education and workforce efforts in the D.C. area are built through collaboration.
We work closely with:
- Local and regional school systems
- Educators and education leaders
- Industry and employers
- Government agencies
- Community and nonprofit organizations
Together, these partnerships ensure programming remains responsive, relevant, and rooted in community needs, while creating pathways that benefit learners and the broader region.
Voices from Our Community
“For German class, my child was asked to create a poster depicting an activity that she is passionate about and to use the poster to showcase how the activity is performed in the U.S. and in Germany. She picked drone soccer as her favorite activity! Thank you and everyone else at Virginia Tech that has made the drone soccer program possible. It has had a tremendous impact on Ellie and allowed her to discover an activity that she loves and otherwise would not have discovered without you all. Thanks to everyone who makes this program happen!"
- ACPS Parent of Returning 7th Grade Female US Drone Pilot
Success Stories
Our students love our programs! Don't believe us? Hear it directly from them.
1st Grade Student
Cedar Point Elementary
"This was better than Disney World! Do we get to come back?"
3rd Grade Student
Bucknell Elementary
"Thank you! This is one of the best days of my life. We learned to code and I built a moving robot with my friends!"
4th Grade Student
Cedar Point Elementary
“My day at the lab was hard but inspiring. We chose a really hard thing – a coffee machine. We failed a lot but when we finally succeeded, it was great! Now I want to be an inventor!”
Anchored in the Region
Virginia Tech’s work in the greater D.C. area serves as a hub for learning, collaboration, and community engagement.
From this location — and across the region — Virginia Tech connects learners, educators, parents, and partners to opportunities that advance STEM education, workforce readiness, and public service.
Be Part of our Work
Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, partner, or community member, Virginia Tech invites you to engage with our K-12 STEM education and workforce programs in the D.C. area.
