Skip to main content


Appalachian Regional Commission

          
CLOSE
        Appalachian Region
              Data Overview of the Appalachian Region
                      Appalachian States
                      Appalachian Counties Served by ARC
                      County Economic Status and Distressed Areas in Appalachia
                      Tribal Communities in the Appalachian Region
                      Congressional Districts in Appalachia
                      Local Development Districts in Appalachia
      Investment Priorities
              Building Businesses
                      Workforce Ecosystems
                              Addressing Substance Use Disorder
                      Community Infrastructure
                              Transportation in Appalachia
                      Regional Culture and Tourism
                      Community Leaders and Capacity
                              READY Appalachia
                      Investments in Action
      Grants and Opportunities
              About ARC Grants
                              Match Requirements for ARC Grants
                      Funding Opportunities
                              Area Development ProgramOpen
                                      ARISE InitiativeOpen
                                      INSPIRE Initiative
                                      POWER InitiativeOpen
                                      WORC InitiativeOpen
                      Capacity Building Opportunities
                              Academies and Institutes
                                      READY Appalachia
                      Additional Opportunities
                              Access to Capital Program
                                      Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative
                                      J-1 Visa Waiver Program
                                      Local Access Road Program
                      Contract Opportunities
                      Applicant Resources
                      Grantee Resources
                      Approved ARC Projects
      Research and Data
              Research Reports
                      Evaluations
                      Maps
                      Data Report Tool
                      Fact Sheets and Infographics
      Academies and Institutes
              Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative
                      Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy
                      Appalachian Leadership Institute
                      Appalachian STEM Academy
      About ARC
              History and Work
                      Structure and Leadership
                              ARC Offices & Staff
                                      State Partners
                                      Local Development Districts
                                      Office of Inspector General
                      Budget, Performance, and Policy
                      Newsroom
                      Careers at ARC
                      Internships at ARC
      SearchSearch
    Search

              Events
      Newsroom
      Get ARC Updates
      Inspector GeneralFacebook
      Twitter
      Youtube
      LinkedIn You are here
    HomeInvestments in ActionThe EdVenture Group: Celebrating 20 Years of Service in West Virginia and Beyond

      	
	
The EdVenture Group: Celebrating 20 Years of Service in West Virginia and Beyond
	
			Education and Training
          Training and OpportunitiesWest VirginiaInvestments in Action
	
				
	
	
	For 20 years, The EdVenture Group has driven change in education environments through creative solutions and nationally-recognized programming.  They’ve also provided more than $25 million in competitive grant funding over the last two decades.

ARC has proudly partnered with EdVenture for nearly as long as they’ve been serving communities. In honor of their 20th anniversary, here are a just a few ways they’ve used ARC support to affect incredible change in Appalachia:

**Technology Opportunity Center (TOC) Expansion (2003)** – In 1996, West Virginia launched a project to offer TOC, or computer labs, in middle and high schools across the state. During the school day, students and teachers use TOCs for research, career exploration, computer lab sessions to support coursework and teacher professional development. In the evenings, community members and businesses use the TOCs for hands-on training. Basic and intermediate TOC courses were also offered to the public free of charge and include 30 hours of hands-on instruction. EdVenture used ARC support to expand this offering into even more communities. In just the project’s first year, 364 learning certificates were awarded to local participants.

**Simulated Workplace Entrepreneurship Education Pathway (SWEEP) (2019)** – Using ARC POWER support, EdVenture partnered with West Virginia Department of Education, Marshall University, and West Virginia University, EdVenture developed SWEEP. This program provides entrepreneurial training, venture development, and career and technical education students across six economically distressed counties in West Virginia. By providing students with in-depth entrepreneurial training in a simulated workplace environment, SWEEP helps equip them with skills needed to find success within their own communities. Read our full story on this project.

**Fostering Self ESTEAM in Appalachia’s Emerging Workforce (2019)** – ****EdVenture became a key partner in another ARC POWER project led by the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education (Entre-Ed). Fostering Self ESTEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) launched programming to create a culture of innovation in Appalachia. The two-year project reaches seven Appalachian states, 52 counties, and 75 rural school districts. ESTEAM expands best practices from EntreEd’s previously awarded ARC grant, America’s Entrepreneurial Schools and Colleges (AESC), to strengthen entrepreneurship education initiatives in the region.

In April, ESTEAM launched a three-round pitch series for 156 middle and high school students representing 28 middle and high schools across 19 Appalachian counties. A total of $13,000 in cash prizes were awarded to the innovate ideas presented by Appalachian students, as well as $9,500 in classroom stipends were awarded to Appalachian educators.



ESTEAM “has provided skills that will help us to thrive and become more productive leaders in the future. The process has developed our inner entrepreneurial skills to a level that allows us to be creative, innovative, and unique problem solvers,” said contest winners and Tennessee students Macey Miesel and Eden Reese. Learn more about their first-prize pitch, Made-N-Memories, here.

ARC is thrilled join The EdVenture Group in celebration of their 20 years of service to Appalachia. We look forward to the innovation, education, and entrepreneurial skill development they’ll continue to provide for communities across the Region.





	



Related Content    
    
    Page      
      West Virginia

      Two females rock climb in West Virginia
																				
																	

  Investment Priority      
      Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem

      Training in an industrial facility
																				
																	

  Investment Priority      
      Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure

      Appalachian Development System Highway Corridor U.S. 23 near Norton, Virginia Appalachian Regional Commission

          About ARC Grants
      Grants and Opportunities
      Newsroom
      Contract Opportunities
      Contact ARC
      Careers

  Get ARC News and Updates
    
    
                
  Sign Up Here
    Web and Privacy Policy