Sand Rock School Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation STEM Center
Sand Rock School officially became home to a new Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation STEM Center on Friday, with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. The new center, made possible through the support of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), marks a major investment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education for local students.
The event brought together local elected officials, educators, community leaders, TVA representatives, and chamber members, all gathered to celebrate the opportunities the center will provide for Cherokee County youth.
A Partnership for the Future
Representatives from TVA opened the ceremony by sharing their excitement over Sand Rock joining the growing number of STEM centers across the Tennessee Valley. The agency has long supported STEM education through grants and resources, including the TVA STEM Classroom Grant program, which provides up to $5,000 for K-12 educators to implement hands-on STEM projects. TVA emphasized that these initiatives help prepare students for the demands of a technology-driven economy while building a stronger workforce for the region.
State Senator Andrew Jones addressed the crowd, thanking everyone involved in bringing the center to Sand Rock. He highlighted the importance of STEM education in preparing students for future employment opportunities.
State Representative Ginny Shaver also spoke, praising the strong turnout and community support for the new center. She noted that Sand Rock has already produced successful graduates in fields such as engineering and expressed her excitement about the new investment in students. She said she believes the center will provide young people with the tools and inspiration needed to achieve even more in the future.
A Local Commitment
Sand Rock Principal Ben East welcomed attendees and expressed pride in hosting the center on the school’s campus. He explained that the center would initially serve students in grades one through five but would eventually be integrated into all grade levels, K-12. East highlighted the center’s capacity to introduce students to areas such as circuitry, robotics, technology, programming, and computers—fields that were almost unimaginable in the classroom just a decade ago.
“This is a great opportunity for the students of Sand Rock,” East said. He added that he expects the skills gained in the STEM center to open doors to scholarships and employment opportunities. East thanked TVA, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, and teachers including Mrs. Tinsley for their hard work in preparing the space over the summer.
Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Michael Welsh followed East, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in advancing STEM education. He recognized the collaboration between the school system, TVA, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Gadsden State, and Jacksonville State University. Welsh thanked all partners on behalf of the Board of Education, calling the strong turnout at the event a sign of the community’s commitment to preparing students for the future.
Marie Manning, speaking on behalf of State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey, congratulated Sand Rock School for its vision. Manning noted that Alabama is one of only four states to see measurable progress in math achievement over the last several years, and she expressed confidence that the new center would help drive even greater success.
Community Support
Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joy Perry also addressed the crowd, pointing out how crucial strong schools are when businesses consider locating in the county. She said the new STEM center will further strengthen Cherokee County’s attractiveness for new industry and thanked TVA for its role in making the ribbon cutting possible. Perry also praised the work of Superintendent Welsh and Principal East, calling them “fabulous” leaders in education.
Following the formal ceremony, Sand Rock Elementary students gave attendees a firsthand look at what the STEM center has to offer. Third-graders demonstrated small robots they had built and explained how computer programs guide them through the process. They said they enjoyed the hands-on nature of the lessons and looked forward to opportunities that could one day connect to careers in technology and engineering.
An Investment in Students
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, which launched its STEM Initiative in 2016, now operates more than 700 fully equipped STEM programs across 25 states and the District of Columbia. The centers are designed to bring interactive, hands-on STEM learning to students, with lesson plans tied to Next Generation Science Standards and opportunities to participate in national challenges.
For Sand Rock, the new center represents more than just new equipment and curriculum—it symbolizes an investment in the future. With growing demand for STEM-skilled workers across the country, the center provides local students with skills that are not only academically enriching but also directly linked to future job markets.
As students proudly demonstrated their projects, community leaders reflected on the power of partnerships, innovation, and education in shaping Cherokee County’s future. The message was clear: when schools, organizations, and local leaders come together to invest in young people, the results ripple far beyond the classroom.
Sand Rock School’s new STEM Center is set to provide that spark for years to come, preparing students for a world of possibilities and inspiring the innovators of tomorrow.
