On May 19, 2011, Stafford Middle invited parents and friends to STEM Night to showcase their students' accomplishments from the VDP robotics program implemented in their school.  Throughout the school year, students worked in teams to construct their own investigation based on a problem that they found interesting.  The robot had to be built, modified, and a computer program was written to run the investigation.  During STEM Night,  the students used display boards to show their work.

Stafford has participated in the Virginia Demonstration Project (VDP) since 2005.   Seventh grade classrooms from across the division and across subject areas participate in VDP activities.  This year, several classrooms focused on challenges related to an oil spill.

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The William & Mary University Relations team recently visited Spotsylvania County schools to observe the Virginia Demonstration Project (VDP) in action.  W&M was a guest at Ni River Middle School where they watched a group of 8th graders work together with a Dahlgren Scientist to conquer their robotics challenges.  Spotsylvania County Schools has been working with W&M to implement the VDP program since 2006.  Over the last five years, over 1500 students have participated in the program that is funded by the National Defense Education Program (NDEP).  Read the article and watch the latest video clip on the STEM Education Alliance.

Walker Grant Middle School, in Fredericksburg, is implementing the Virginia Demonstration Project (VDP) for the third consecutive school year.  This program has challenged over 450 students to use advanced technology and use math and science skills to find probable solutions to a landmine scenario.  In the Landmines module, a minefield at sea has been disrupted by a tsunami that has swept mines onto shore.  Some mines are visible, and others are hidden under sand and debris.  Robots help mitigate the disaster by locating landmines and delivering humanitarian aid.