PULASKI CO., Va. – A new classroom program in Pulaski County is putting electric vehicle technology in students’ hands — and aiming to turn that hands-on learning into local careers in the New River Valley.
The first-year STEM pilot program brought together schools, industry leaders, and university partners to give students early training in electric vehicle technology. Classes at Pulaski High School explored the physics behind designing and optimizing Electric Vehicle batteries using hands-on STEM kits.
The initiative is led by Dock to Door, the SAE Foundation, and Virginia Clean Cities, with support from Volvo, Camrett Logistics, and Patton Logistics — all companies that build or operate electric heavy-duty vehicles.
A showcase event was held Tuesday, March 31 at Pulaski Middle School, where students demonstrated what they had built and learned throughout the program.
Students tackle real-world problem solving
Pulaski County High School junior Matthew Cole described how the hands-on work challenged him and his classmates to think critically.
The trial-and-error nature of building an EV battery was part of the point, Cole said.
“It’s all trying to solve the problem, realize, ‘Ope, it’s something else wrong, now we got to fix this as well,’” he said. “This was a really fun experience, helped me learn a lot, and with the knowledge McClary already has from all this, we can do this a lot better for newer students.”
Engineering teacher Eli McClary said the benefits extend far beyond electric vehicles.
“It helps with their problem-solving skills and their creativity a lot and they can use that in any area that they go into later,” McClary said.
Industry seeks need for technicians in the region
Pam Martin, who works in human resources at Patton Logistics Group, said the program is about more than just education — it’s about keeping talent in the community.
“It helps create pathways to keep jobs local for the students to realize what’s here in the community that they can do through technical programs in the schools,” Martin said.
Martin added that the rapid pace of change in the industry makes early exposure critical.
“I mean, everything is turning electric, the technology changes so often,” she said.
Virginia Tech BOLT program
Virginia Tech BOLT leads also played a role in engaging students during the event.
Mason DiGiorgio, a BOLT lead at Virginia Tech, said breaking down Electric Vehicle technology for students was both fun and important.
“It’s really fun teaching them it’s not a gas car or a gas bike that has an engine — we have some batteries, we have some props to show them how it looks on the inside,” DiGiorgio said.
Fellow BOLT lead Olivia Griffin said being part of an emerging technology made the experience especially meaningful.
“It’s really cool to be a part of an up-and-coming technology and get to learn different bits and pieces about it,” Griffin said.
A pilot program with bigger ambitions
Organizers say this year was just the beginning. The pilot program — now in its first year — is one they hope to expand so more students can train for high-tech jobs across the region.
Electric vehicles represent a rapidly growing market, and the demand for trained technicians continues to climb. By embedding EV education into the classroom now, program leaders say students in Southwest Virginia will be better positioned to fill those roles locally rather than leaving the region for opportunities elsewhere.