PWCS Robotics Centers

Our involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in Prince William County Schools (PWCS) is deeply personal. Many of our members were introduced to engineering through PWCS programs. Some of these programs include: STEM labs, middle school robotics clubs, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses, and high school engineering pathways. These early exposures shaped the academic trajectories of members. 

For our team leadership, robotics began as early as elementary school through FIRST LEGO League and other STEM activities that eventually progressed to FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) at the high school level. These programs provided hands-on experience, mentorship, and confidence to pursue challenging STEM coursework. 

On February 4, 2026, the Prince William County School Board reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and Capital Improvement Program, which included plans to create two dedicated Robotics Centers—one in the east and one in the west—designed to serve as regional hubs for competition, engineering, and STEM learning. These centers, proposed within the division’s long‑range capital planning process, were outlined as school‑based additions at Garfield High School and Unity Reed High School and reflect a strategic shift toward specialized, high‑impact STEM infrastructure.

The two facilities together are expected to cost approximately $16 million, featuring state‑of‑the‑art equipment, competition‑ready spaces, and flexible STEM environments that support robotics programs across the county. Their development aligns with the broader goals of the school division to expand access to hands‑on STEM pathways and enhance opportunities for students from every region.

Earlier, on March 18, 2025, the School Board unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2027–31 Budget, including the Capital Improvement Plan that set the stage for the facility initiatives now underway. This long‑term plan formalized the division’s commitment to future‑focused investments, ensuring that new and modernized spaces—such as the Robotics Centers—would be integrated into countywide planning for academic innovation and student success.