The Civil-Military Innovation Institute has launched a program to help students in economically challenged areas focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational opportunities.
The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation recently awarded CMI2, in partnership with the Clay County School System, a one year $102,500 grant to develop a hands-on, experiential learning, technology, and innovation-focused curriculum for high school students.
The CMI2 ILLUME (I—Innovating. L—Learning. L—Leading. U—Uniting. M—Making. E—Experimenting.) program, launched in 2023, holds the promise of a brighter future for the youth of Clay County. Through ILLUME, CMI2 offers a platform for experimentation, development, and learning, empowering students with self-led projects, group workshops, and access to high-end professional equipment, design programs, and expendable materials.
“We are grateful for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation’s generous support as we continue to develop our ILLUME program and expand our efforts to foster economic development in economically challenged areas across West Virginia,” said CMI2 founder Dr. Zenovy Wowczuk. “The opportunity to enhance access to training, as we establish a Center for Excellence for High School Technology Education, could be a game-changer for the next generation of high school graduates in our state.”
The funding will support student engagement, curriculum development and expansion, and faculty development.
“The collaborative approach between CMI2 and Clay County Schools will likely ignite a passion for STEM as it equips students with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century,” said Melanie Claxton, Benedum Foundation Senior Program Officer.
While ILLUME was initially launched in West Virginia, Wowczuk says the concept has the potential for significant impact.
“Connecting STEM-related curriculum with hands-on collaboration and partnership with subject matter experts holds a tremendous opportunity for our public education system,” Wowczuk said. “We know the future is STEM, and if we can effect this significant mindset change, we will better engage students as we strengthen our position as a nation.”
About the Civil-Military Innovation Institute
CMI2 is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit defense innovation organization headquartered in Morgantown, WV. It bridges the gaps by enabling engagement with university and government researchers to advance national security technologies while focusing on rapid development and technology transition to meet warfighters’ needs. CMI2 collaborates with the U.S. Department of Defense, research universities, start-up companies, and non-traditional technology firms with a host of services and program options. Visit www.cmi2.org.
About the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation was established in 1944 by Michael and Sarah Benedum, natives of West Virginia, as a memorial to their only child, Claude Worthington, who died in 1918 at the age of 20. The Foundation is a regional foundation focusing primarily on West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania. For more information on the Foundation, please see: https://benedum.org
