CHARLESTON, W.Va.– Five Simulated Workplace companies from across the state presented their winning ideas for developing, designing and constructing innovative community projects to the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) this month.
These five projects, which represent plans for public, private, commercial, or residential use, were chosen out of dozens submitted for the inaugural Economic Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) competition.
The WVDE Division of Technical Education and Governor’s Economic Initiatives challenged Simulated Workplace companies to participate in an innovative community impact project competition that will positively affect local economies.
The EPIC projects will be completed throughout the next two school years and will require partnering with local businesses and other community organizations.
The goal of the competition is to enhance students’ technical skills and creativity while making an impact within their local communities.
“West Virginia’s greatest resource is her students,” said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Steven Paine. “The selected EPIC projects showcase the creativity and technical abilities of the participating students while serving local communities. Our students should be very proud of the work they are doing in their Simulated Workplace companies to benefit our state.”
The selected Simulated Workplace projects were from Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center, Hundred High School, Moorfield High School, Putnam Career & Technical Center and Roane-Jackson Technical Center.
The projects include a Star Gazing Cabin for Calhoun County Parks, community partnerships for post-flood beautification in Hundred, a micro-business complex in Moorefield, energy efficient cabins in Eleanor Park and park upgrades throughout Roane and Jackson counties.
“We are so proud of the five schools’ Simulated Workplace companies for their hard work and dedication in developing innovative EPIC projects that enhance technical skills while impacting local communities,” said Associate Superintendent, Dr. Kathy D’Antoni. “We look forward to seeing the students’ work over the next two years as they partner with local businesses to turn their EPIC ideas into viable, successful projects that positively impact the economy of their communities.”
To learn more about the EPIC competition, visit: https://wvde.us/governors-economic-initiatives/business-community. To view the chosen projects and read a brief description of each, visit: https://wvde.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/epic-competitionbooklet.pdf.
