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VT Thinkabit Lab

THINKABIT LABS @ VIRGINIA TECH

Inspiring students to become the next generation of inventors

The Thinkabit Lab experience aims to inspire and show students from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds that they can become the next generation of inventors. The program is recognized nationally and internationally as a model for exposing students to STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) concepts.

Designed for K-12 students, the Thinkabit Lab offers an engaging environment—part lab, makerspace, and learning classroom—to foster creativity, collaboration and the critical skills necessary for the future technical workforce.

 

THE IMPACT

Total number of visitors

Total visitors

High School and Undergraduate Internships

High school and
undergraduate internships

Teacher Professional Development events

Teacher professional
development events

High School and Undergraduate Internships

Outreach events

High School and Undergraduate Internships

Title I Participants

High School and Undergraduate Internships

 Saturday and Summer Camps

"Sciences provide an understanding of a universal experience, Arts are a universal understanding of a personal experience... they are both a part of us and a manifestation of the same thing... the arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity” - Mae Jemison, Engineer, Physician & NASA Astronaut.

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LAB LOCATIONS

VT - Thinkabit Lab, Falls Church, VA

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Launched in September 2016, this cornerstone facility primarily serves Title I schools and other under-resourced schools for school-to-work activities in STEM, and professional development training for teachers. This program has reached 21,000+ students and teachers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and has helped to inspire other school-based labs in the region (almost 40, across 11 school districts).  Falls Church was the first university hub site in the program and is guided by the College of Engineering’s Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED).


To schedule a class visit to the Thinkabit Lab at Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church or to learn more about resources for teachers, email Jim Egenrieder at: Thinkabit@vt.edu

VT - Thinkabit Lab, Roanoke, VA

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Opened in April 2019, the Virginia Tech Thinkabit Lab at the Roanoke Higher Education Center serves primarily 6th grade students, mostly from rural Title I schools in southwest Virginia. Here, students spend an inspiring day immersed in a STEM environment with hands-on learning. The one-day field trip experience is planning to expand to other grades soon.


To schedule a Roanoke Thinkabit Lab class visit or an educator tour, email Scott Weimer or call (540) 767-6100.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

LEADERSHIP

Jim Egenrieder

James A. (Jim) Egenrieder

Engineering and Education Research Faculty and Director Virginia Tech DC Metro Region STEM Education and Workforce Development Labs


Bevlee Watford

Bevlee Watford

Associate Dean of Equity and Engagement, College of Engineering

GET INVOLVED

Interested in supporting the lab with your time, talent, and financial support? LINK, the Center for Industry Partnerships at Virginia Tech is your one-stop-shop for university opportunities.

FOLLOW US

Falls Church:
VT Thinkabit Blog:  www.thinkabit.tech  
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/VTThinkabit
Twitter: twitter.com/VT_ThinkabitLab