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By JOYANNA LOVE/Managing Editor

The STEM Academy at LeCroy Career Technical Center has received a $2,500 donation from District 42 Rep. Van Smith.

Each state representative has funds available to them from the state from which to present grants.

The funds will help the program purchase equipment needed to have enough for each person to have their own project and maintain social distancing requirements.

“Teaching STEM requires us to engage student in project-based learning,” instructor Jay LeCroy said. “It is hard to do that when you can’t share equipment (because of the pandemic).”

Smith said he wanted the funds “to help as many students as possible.”

The STEM Academy has students from all six high schools attending the program.

Currently, students are preparing submissions for The Governor’s App Challenge.

LeCroy said they are working on wearable technology involving sensors for medical monitoring.

“We have students from three schools working on that right now,” LeCroy said.

Smith toured the program during a recent visit to LCTC.

“I have always been enamored with this program,” Smith said.

He first heard about the program when he worked for Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, and LeCroy applied for one of their grants.

“I always enjoyed following those projects and have throughout the years,” Smith said. “It’s always fun to come and visit.”