RAPID CITY, S.D. – Seventeen South Dakota School Districts, including the Meade 46-1 School District, will receive over $3 million dollars in Career and Technical Education Innovating Equipment grants.
The grants will be used to implement emerging technology and modern equipment in CTE programs.
The Meade 46-1 School District will receive $174,442 to help develop a revolutionary hybrid program combining Robotics and Manufacturing at Sturgis Brown High School. Through this program, students will not only learn how to operate and use new technology like Switch Vehicles, CNC machines and FarmBots, but they will also learn how to serve as technicians to repair, program and maintain such equipment.
The Rapid City Area Schools will use just over $242,000 to purchase an Anatomage system for the Health Science program and heavy equipment simulators for the Architecture and Construction program.
Rather than just introducing students to careers, this equipment will allow for industry certifications, real-world engagement and rigor.
And, Belle Fourche is getting $250,000 to take a significant workforce need by developing a training program to help students earn a Commercial Driver’s License by purchasing truck driving simulators.
Department of Education Secretary Tiffany Sanderson says “the equipment schools purchase with these grants will open students’ eyes to amazing career opportunities in their backyards.”
