Virginia Middle School Brings STEM to Every Single Student

Seventh grader Justine Puri watched her robotic Morning Glory open and close with the light, just like the real flower. She wasn't in a special gifted program or an exclusive STEM elective—she was experiencing the kind of hands-on learning now available to every single student at her school.

Charlottesville Middle School's Innovation Hub, a partnership with the University of Virginia, is breaking the mold for educational equity. While Virginia's other 14 lab schools serve a maximum of 100 students through lottery systems, this one reaches every CMS student through their regular science classes.

"We serve more students than the other 14 schools combined," said Conner Brew, director of the UVA Innovation Hub. The program pushed into core curriculum instead of operating as an optional add-on, ensuring no student gets left behind.

The difference shows up in moments like the BioBots Showcase this March. For three days, seventh graders filled the University of Virginia's historic Rotunda dome room to display robotic creatures they'd built to mimic real organisms and their adaptations. Parents, community members, and reporters watched students eagerly explain how their creations worked.

The secret is in the structure. CMS teachers participate in UVA's innovation fellowship, receiving year-round support from Innovation Hub specialists to design project-based learning experiences. Students integrate computer science standards into their science classes through hands-on projects that build real understanding.

"It takes those learners who may be struggling in a traditional environment and really gives them an opportunity to thrive," Brew explained. The approach earned recognition from the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition, which honored the Innovation Hub with its 2025 "Programs That Work" Award.

The program keeps growing. What started with science classrooms has expanded to other subjects as more teachers apply for fellowships. iSTEM teacher Kevin Paquette sees the vision clearly: meaningful, relevant instruction for any student who walks through CMS doors.

The Ripple Effect

The Innovation Hub's founders had a specific mission: close the digital divide rather than widen it. By making computer science and hands-on STEM learning available to all students instead of a select group, they're building a community where every young person gets the tools to succeed.

The impact extends beyond individual students. When a $91 million renovation project completes in 2026, CMS will welcome sixth graders and expand the Innovation Hub's reach even further. The first phase already finished before this school year, giving the program new space to grow.

For students like Puri, the difference is simple: "It's cool to do these projects. I really liked building the models out of cardboard."

When innovation becomes accessible to everyone, that's when real change happens.